Razimith

I have three goldfish in a 30gallon tank I know I might have to get a bigger tank someday but for now it seems ok. I have a question about one of my goldfish lately I find him at the top of the tank and he seems lifeless. Until of course I open the lid and he swims around like nothing happened. He eats alright and does not appear sick but this is the third time were I was going to get the net because I thought he had died only to find out that he is either sleeping or in some trance. I am not sure the other two have never done this before like I said he eats alright and seems fine just every once in a while he is floating at the top and not moving. Anybody else come across this behavior?

Amanda

Is it right when you're turning on the light?
How are your water parameters?

Razimith

Now that you bring that up its seems to happen when the lights are off. I turn the lights on of course thinking the worst. Do you think he is just sleeping or something. He is really weird he is on his side not moving floating on the top I would bet a bunch that he was dead but he always swims around like a madman waiting to be feed again when I open the lid. My water parameters seemed pretty good 0,0, and 15PPM for nitrates. He has done this probably 3 times in the last month or so.

Amanda

It may be stunning him when the lights come on.
Try turning on a room light for about 15 min. before turning on the tank light.

sirdarksol

It sounds like it's happening while the aquarium is dark and then Razimith turns the lights on to see if the floating fishy is dead.
It could be that it is sleeping, or there could be something wrong with it (even just a simple, minor infection). By any chance, are you having an issue with blue-green algae that grows in sheets? I had a betta that was doing the "sleeping like the dead" trick, and it turned out that the tank had a cyanobacteria infestation.

I'd keep an eye on it, but if it doesn't get any worse, don't worry too much about it.

catfishtabbi

" HE IS ON HIS SIDE" Is there a chanse its mild swimbladder? You could try the shelled peas thing, after all it can't hurt.Give them (de-shelled) peas only for dinner, so they'll be sure to eat them.

sirdarksol

Sorry... I missed the "on his side" thing. That's a bigger deal. Catfishtabbi's got some good advice. Try feeding your goldies peas for a week or so. They'll probably love 'em.

Razimith

I will take the advice and give them some peas just to make sure they do not have a bladder problem. My gold fish has not done it now for couple of days and seems alright. It is the strangest thing for sure that I have seen since I started taking care of fish... As for the blue-green algae the only algae I have growing in there is more of a red type algae not a lot just enough when I wipe the glass clean it turns my towl reddish in color. I will keep everyone posted on if this happens again and if it does I will try to record it with my camcorder and try to post it if I know how. Thanks again for all the advice!!!!!!!!