Help With Goldfish Not Moving

I have a common goldfish I recently posted a thread about how skinny it was as I was concerned about it being sick everyone just said he wasn’t getting proper nutrition but today I found him and he just sits upside down at the bottom barely moving. HELP!!!!

 

How large is your tank? Do you know your parameters? Has he still been eating? May I please see a picture of your little guy?

 

Hello! Just made an account so I could respond, sorry its so blank right now.

Start by checking the chemical levels in your water, specifically nitrite and ammonia. Your tank likely has low oxygen as well. Get a pothos plant and propagate it directly in the tank, they love sucking up nitrites and the goldfish usually don't eat it.


How big is your tank? it may be too small for the fish, as goldfish are really meant for ponds.

Have you recently put anything new in the tank? that could have stressed the fish, brought an infectious disease or parasite, or messed with the chemical balance of the tank.

 

He was eating up until he couldnt move I will post a pic as soon as I can

 

Alright, a picture will most certainly help. About how long has he gone without food? Also what is the tank size and do you know of your parameters?

I went ahead and read your post about how your Goldie is skinny and I shall give you a bit of advice from what I know about your fish. You said it was in a 10 gallon and I can say this is much too small, if you cannot afford a larger tank there are cheaper options such as a kitty pond or a large tub, but I don't know how large your fish will grow due to its scoliosis. Goldfish diet must consist of veggies and pellets. I recommend omega one goldfish pellets and veggies (boiled until soft) like spinach and peas. I believe your fish may have a swim bladder issue and your parameters may not be the best due to your very high bioload. A picture and a description of how you feed him will most certainly help also know how much you do water changes.

 

I feed tetra floating pellets I don’t believe he will continue to grow due to his scoliosis as since hes gotten it he hasn’t gotten any bigger I fo about 50% water chamges quite often I can't say exactly how often as I don't really schedule them but about every couple of days I will try to figure out the picture thing on here

 

He still moves and breathes but only in that one spot unless moved by his tank mate or me and as u can see is quite skinny and small he barely looks like a goldfish anymore

 

You can post a picture by clicking upload file next to post reply But I would like to mention, not only does he need a larger tank due to size (may stay small) but he produces a lot of waste. Much more than a 10 gallon can handle. How much do you feed your Goldie? I highly, highly recommend you add veggies to his diet once we figure out what is wrong and hopefully cure him.

 

It isn't looking too good. He isn't bloated so it may not be a swim bladder issue, but I won't be ruling it out. It is also possible that this could be because of his scoliosis, but that is just a guess. Do you have a Rubbermaid bin or anything of the sort? I suggest you separate him so he doesn't get the other fish sick if he has anything. Is his poop white or stringy at all?

 

Actually it could still be swim bladder but you're right, he is very skinny. If he has been eating up until now, a possibility for his lack of fat could be parasites.

 

How would he have gotten these parasites though because there ismt anything new in the tank and if it is parasites is there anyway to kill them quickly or should I just let him die to end his suffering I fear he won't make it through the night

 

He still moves and breathes but only in that one spot unless moved by his tank mate or me and as u can see is quite skinny and small he barely looks like a goldfish anymore

oh my...he does look a bit like a minnow to me and seems quite young. 10 gallons is very small as goldfish are by far one of the messiest fish, but I did have 3 goldfish grow to the size of my fist in a 20 gallon (they were there for 5 years and very vibrant and active) and are now living happily in a pond since they're huge, so don't lose hope! I think the most likely explanation is chemical imbalance in the water and disruption of the natural biosphere when you make such huge water replacements. This is one of the easier issues to solve as you can balance the water using something like prime, buy a bigger filter, and replace water less often.

I recommend getting a 20+ filter to clean up fast enough for your Goldie, and some good bottom feeders.

 

Parasites can lie dormant in the tank and infect your fish when they have grown weak either due to water quality issues or other environmental factors. But, I am still not sure if it is parasites or not. Do you still have no means of testing your water? It is very possible your ammonia levels or something of the sort are too high.

If he very unfortunately doesn't make it though the night, just know that you tried your best and that you were very brave to have taken on a fish with scoliosis. I hope he makes it! If he does, I would right away do a 50% water change.

 

I agree with Emily Aviana as well with what she is suggesting. She is giving good advice as well.

 

Thank you very much everybody for your help I think from what everyone is saying I'm just gonna ride the night out and see if he is alive in the morning then do a water change if he doesn’t make it, it might sound heartless but he was free and ive had him for a couple years now but ive grown up on a farm so ive learned to not grow attached, so if he doesn't make it he doesn't make it and yes he is a few years old but his scoliosis keeps him that small I guess with the scoliosis it was only a maatter of time before he became so weak he fell victI'm to something

 

Also if he does make it through the night I have a 30 gallon with 2 goldfish and a fully grown pleco (10-12 inches) would that tank be better suited for him

 

A 30 it too small for 2 goldfish and a pleco, so adding him there may not be the best decision. I would just keep him in the 10 and make sure the water is as clean as it can be. Do a forty or fifty percent change tomorrow and then after maybe do a 25% every few days. Best thing for now is keep the water clean

 

Ok thanks

 

You're welcome. I wish you luck!!