Fantail Goldfish Has Had Swim Bladder For About 3 Months.

So I have kept 2 fantail goldfish inside of a 20 gallon long for 4 months now. My first goldfish is perfectly fine and eats and swims as she pleases. However, my other goldfish seems to always float to the top and at times tires out and just floats until the filter brings him close and pushes him. Now, I have looked up how to treat swim bladder and have fed peas to my goldfish in a bare bottom tank for 1.5 weeks. During these 1.5 weeks my goldfish was healed and swam normally. However, the week after I started feeding pellets it seems he can't swim in the middle or bottom of the tank and always remain around the top. He has no trouble eating at all. I'm really confused as to what the problem is as my other goldfish is healthy, I'm wondering if it's genetics or something because I've been trying to heal him for 3 months with only temporary success.

 

Do you soak your pellets first and have you tried a high-quality goldfish flake food rather than pellets. I kept goldies for many years and had issues when they were tank size each and every time I fed only pellets, once they get about 6" (pond size) pellets seemed to be easier and no problem for them. I've been out of goldies for a long time and never kept fancies but I'd start with a good quality flake and peeled peas once a week.

 

I would also advise flakes. I've had a fantail for many years and he's never had swim bladder issues. He eats goldfish flakes that I pinch then release below the surface so there's no chance of gulping air. For other foods, like freeze dried worms or algae wafers, I soak them in a cup until they sink. It's best to make sure that they are always eating from the water column, or even off the bottom if you don't have gravel they could choke on. They are natural foragers and mine quite likes 'digging' around in the sand.

I couldn't say if a particular fish might be more prone than others but it seems possible. I know you've been trying your best for a while now. So, if you've tried these feeding methods and are still having trouble, please just let us know and we'll see if we can help further.

Edit: I also keep my goldie on a schedule where he fasts one day a week, then eats peas the next day. This may help with digestive issues.

 

hey, I currently have 5 fancy goldfish, I feed them a high quality pellet(omega one) I always pre soak the pellets in a cup with aquarium water for 5-10 min , never had a goldie with swim bladder disease.

it seems like your not feeding enough veggies to your Goldie, always try feeding them boiled veggies whether it be broccoli, carrots, spinach , zucchinI etc... I always try an aI'm for atleast 3 times a week veggies, goldfish need more veggies then they do protein.

1-2 times a week boiled de shelled peas should always be giving.

 

My goldie loves broccolI too

 

Thanks guys. In fact I have been feeding my goldfish flakes for the first month, but I figured since flakes floated they gulped air causing swim bladder, so I switched to omega one pellets which they love to eat. The pellets do float on the top a bit then sink so maybe I should pre soak. Also, thanks for the recommendation of 3 times a week for veggie feeding. Of course, I will probably use normal veggies, but I have a bag of algae wafers that I have laying around, do you think I could feed them this too? Thanks again for the help and hopefully my goldfish recovers soon!

 

Mine eats algae wafers now and then with no ill effects and lots of green poo. Yep, gross but signs of healthy digestion. I smash mine up into bite sized pieces then soak until they sink before feeding.