Goldfish Needs Your Help!

[carebear]

My goldfish it having difficulty. He is floating upside down. I've changed my water about an hour ago (50%). I did notice that my heater was off and the temperature went from 77 degrees to 68. I've restarted the heater and the water is now warming up. I don't see any signs of skin issues, slimes, parasites etc. Any suggestions on how I should treat this fish? Should I add some salt to the water? If so, how much?

[dancethenparty]

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[carebear]

Thanks for the great link! Not sure I can save him...but will try!

[dancethenparty]

glad i could be of use. and i'm sure you can save him, it doesn't sound too serious.

[Fishguy2727]

Get the temp back to normal and keep the water quality high.

What type of goldfish?
What is the diet?

[carebear]

He's still upside down! I didn't feed him for a day. He lays on the bottom of the tank upside down. I thought his digestive system would clean out and then he'd be back to normal. Any other suggestions out there??

[carebear]

His diet consists of flake food and the occasional blood worms...YUCK!! Temperature is back to normal now.

[Mvjnz]

Goldfish are mainly herbivores, and you shouldn't be feeding bloodworms more than as an occasional treat. What kind of flake food? Veggie based or shrimp based? They should be veggie based, but it would be even better if you went online and ordered some high quality goldfish pellets, and you can also look online for recipes for goldfish food. They usually have veggies in them.

[carebear]

It's Nutrifin flake food. Has a whole lot of stuff in it. Will check into veggie food for goldfish. What should I do in the meantime? He cannot seem to right himself. I've added salt to the aquarium as well. I guess I have to wait it out?

[Fishguy2727]

Salt shouldn't help (let us know if it does, otherwise just don't add it with water changes).

Feed peeled peas.

I only feed mine New Life Spectrum and so far the results are everything a goldfish should be.

[nyquil junkie]

I'll tell you a short story that sounds nuts but it fixed a fantail fancy goldfish I had once that started swimming upside down one day. He was in a tank with4 others and none of them were ever effected with it so I never did figure out what caused it.
Anyhow, I took 2 tiny split shot fishing sinkers and gently clipped one on each side of its back belly fins.

he swam rightside up with those on for about a week when they fell off and he was as good as new.
:goldfish:

[carebear]

It's been awhile! Great advice for my fancy goldfish. He is now on his side. He still has his vitality and is eating well. I've tried the peas. He is definitely not a fan. So, I've made my own gel food with carrots and peas. He's not crazy for it either. I am tempted to try the split shots! Super idea! The salt did not help at all. Thought is was worth a shot though. Sometimes it fixes everything!

[carebear]

Not sure why this didn't post. So, I'll try again. My fish is now floating on his side instead of upside down. It's been awhile for him now in this position. He's still eating well and has retained his vitality. The salt didn't seem to help in any way. It was worth a try though. I guess the next step is to try the sinkers that have been suggested. I'll let you know if it seems to help...I did try feeding peas. He doesn't like them. I've made some gel food. He's so/so with that as well. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.

[dancethenparty]

Not sure why this didn't post. So, I'll try again. My fish is now floating on his side instead of upside down. It's been awhile for him now in this position. He's still eating well and has retained his vitality. The salt didn't seem to help in any way. It was worth a try though. I guess the next step is to try the sinkers that have been suggested. I'll let you know if it seems to help...I did try feeding peas. He doesn't like them. I've made some gel food. He's so/so with that as well. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.
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[MrJim]

Just wondering...those splitshot sinkers are generally lead..is that safe?

[lobsternoob]

How did you clamp the split shots down onto the fins gently Nyquil Junkie? Seems to me that would be hard to do, i always crimped the heck out of splitshots when i put em on a line. I probably just don't have the finesse required to do so.

[karbomb]

try feeding him garlic, that will help in a pinch too. when my betta was sick i ground up garlic and mixed with his flake food. you could try grinding up peas and garlic with his flake food, maybe then he'll eat it.

[carebear]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I will try them all!

[annageckos]

I really don't have any suggestions to try to help your goldfish but just wanted to say that goldfish are cold water fish. It may very well help him to get him into the right temp. range. Your other fish are tropicals though so will have to move the goldfish to a seperate tank. Ok, so I guess I did have a suggestion. Good luck and hope your fishy gets better.

Anna