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What is wrong with my calico fantail2007-11-24 23:41:55

He floats. If he isn't vigorously swimming downward, he will float right back up to the top of the water. What is wrong with him, and is there anything I can do to help him?

Answers:

Your goldfish has swim bladder disease. There are many causes of swim bladder disease. Poor water quality, overfeeding, food that tends to swell inordinately when it takes on water, viruses and bacterial infections are just some of the many causes. The most common reason though lies in the simple fact that your goldfish is an ornamental variety that has a body type that is not as efficient as a common goldfish. The compressed and rotund shape has the effect of malshaping the swim bladder. The swim bladder is an organ in the fish that takes air in to cause the fish to rise and expels air to descend to the bottom. When your fish gobbles up too much food the pressure from their stomach contents puts pressure on the swim bladder which lies adjacent to it. Remember the fishes stomach is only the size of it's eye. To remedy this you can try to give smaller meals. Use a food like bio-blend for goldfish. Once in a while throw in a pea or two. This helps but don't ask me why. And follow all instructions in a goldfish manual for making sure they have good quality of water with partial not entire water changes. Fancy goldfish are a little harder to care for but if you educate yourself you will learn a little chemistry and biology to boot. That's the unspoken advantage of owning pets.

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He might just be gasping for air, he may be sick, Check the chemical levels of the tank water (you can buy a kit anywhere) and follow what it says to do. If there is nothing wrong with the water then ask a pet store specialist what to try next. ..

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If he's in a bowl it may be an excess of ammonia.

Ammonia is caused by fish waste and decaying fish food. Without a filter it's easy for this to build up. If that's the case fish will often "gasp" at the surface.

If he's in an aquarium, it may still be ammonia. The general rule of thumb for goldfish is 5 gallons per inch of fish. If not the same problem with waste build up may be poisoning his water.

Change the water, no more then 50% of it. Treat it with water conditioner - or leave it out for 12+ hours so the chlorine can evaporate. If you can, and I suggest it, take a water sample to the pet store and get them to test it. Look for ammonia, nirtie and nirate levels. They should be able to suggest what else to do. Best of luck!