High201

My Calico Ryunkin has swim bladder problems. He is constantly upside down. I try feeding him peas and it works for a day of so, but then he goes back to being upside down again. I have other goldfish in the tank too. 2 Pearlscales , 1 black moor, and an oranda and they are all doing good. Please is there any way this problem can be cured. One fish store owner said that this problem will always be there. Is there certain foods I should give him. I am giving him Sprirulina Flakes right which i do soak before giving it to him and the other. i even tried antibotics on him but that did not work as well. I try cleaning the tank every month or so. I hate to see this fish upside down so many times. thanks in advance or all your help.

Tony G.

i would fast him one day and then try the peas again. I dont think antibiotics can cure swim bladder, its more of a diet problem.

joy1125

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Tony's correct. Antibiotics will not help, and should never be administered unless you are certain they are necessary. (as with humans, needless use of antibiotics cause immunity buildup; same goes for fish, so it's wise not to use unless absolutely necessary)

Stop feeding all flake food. Give a couple deshelled peas twice a day.

What do you normally feed your goldfish? Do they have a varied diet, or mostly flake food? Fancies have eggshaped bodies, so they are prone to swim bladder issues, and flake food shouldn't be given often, if at all imho.

also, what size tank do you have? and have you checked the water readings for ammonia-nitrite-nitrate lately?

Lucy

What size tank are they in? Is it cycled?
Do you know the readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
How old is the tank and how long have you had these fish?

It would be helpful if you filled in your aquarium info. That way the members can try and help without having to ask a lot of questions.

Joy! lol

MaddieLynn

Old and/or poor quality food gives goldies swim bladder issues. So can flakes. Try feeding them high-quality sinking pellets, or, better yet, homemade gel food.

Here's an awesome website with tons of goldfish info and lots of gel food recipes:

http://thegab.org/

High201

thanks for all you're help. when i get the readings i will give more information. i guess the flake food is not good for him. i will check into other foods including the sinking pellets and gel foods. thanks again.

Red wag platy

One way to prevent problems with flakes is to soak them. The problem is that when the flakes just float at the top of the tank, it causes the goldfish to go to the top and gulp air as they are trying to eat them. If the flakes are soaked, it will cause them to sink. It will also prevent the flakes from expanding in the stomach of your fish.

kimb

I know the focus is on diet, but I would also increase the cleaning of your tank. Goldfish are messy and lots of poop! I think "every month or so" should be every week. Anytime there is a problem, the best of water can only increase the fish's chance of survival. Hope all works out for you...good luck

High201

thanks everyone, the goldfish is doing much better. the problem seemed to be the flaked food. i am giving him more peas, and also feeding him other stuf such as tubiflex and blood worms. i may have been overfeeding him flakes too. feeding him flakes much less has been much better for him. thank you for all your help and suggestions very much.

joy1125

you're welcome ! glad to hear the fish is doing better !