How Long Until Peas Work To Help Constipated Fish?

So I came home and discovered my (about 1.5 inch) fancy goldfish at the top of the tank. Nothing out of the usual, they have become accustomed to wait at the top when they see me because first thing I do when I arrive home is feed him and his tiny tank mate.

Today was a water change day so I did that. After everything settled I still found him at the top of the tank but he would still struggle to the bottom and was able to feed. I got really worried. Researched. Questioned household members.


I am pretty confident he has some swim bladder issues due to constipation. I learned that my kid sister had found where I was hiding the food and had been feeding the fish behind my back while I was at my classes (unsupervised kid + fish food = bad. Only one is affected and he's the main eater so I am pretty sure it is constipation. Found him pooping, floating at the top, etc. Plus whenever I supervise my sister feeding the fish she likes to see the affected fish eat more.

I did research and got the little man peas í thawed from the freezer. Warmed them, deshelled them. Cut them all nice so he can swallow it. He ate it. I admit I have screwed up and did not give the two of them anything for digestion besides their regular food since I've had them. Will be feeding a pea a week or so I have been recommended.

Wondering, if this is hopefully just constipation like it seems to be, how long until I see some signs of improvement?

Recommended treatment was 2 peas a day for 5 days.

 

Normally you should fast your goldie for a 2-3 days and then give him ONE boiled de shell pea each day for a few days and see how things are going, if that doesn't work out then a Epsom salt bath would require.

What temp is the tank? and how many gallons? what are your water parameters?

If he is the only member of the tank you can dose the tank with 1/8 tsp of Epsom salt for every 5 gallon of water, do 50% water changes every day for a few days and don't forget to re add Epsom salt back for the amount of water removed.

 

How frustrating! It sounds like you're taking the steps you should, for what you've described. In my experience, I had to spend a few days monitoring bloat from constipation. so I'd say you can probably expect the same--3-5 days, depending on the fish. I saw an arc of progress in that time, really bad upside-down floating to some struggling back to normal. Just keep watching your fish closely for any other signs of deteriorating health. And do some research on epsom salt baths, I made use of those as well as peas. Let us know if there are any other symptoms, and best of luck!!

 

How frustrating! It sounds like you're taking the steps you should, for what you've described. In my experience, I had to spend a few days monitoring bloat from constipation. so I'd say you can probably expect the same--3-5 days, depending on the fish. I saw an arc of progress in that time, really bad upside-down floating to some struggling back to normal. Just keep watching your fish closely for any other signs of deteriorating health. And do some research on epsom salt baths, I made use of those as well as peas. Let us know if there are any other symptoms, and best of luck!!

Thanks! Will watch and observe. I will get some info on salt baths and see if that does him any good tomorrow.

 

Thanks! Will watch and observe. I will get some info on salt baths and see if that does him any good tomorrow.

Make sure you don't use aquarium salt it does the opposite of what Epsom salt does.

 

Make sure you don't use aquarium salt it does the opposite of what Epsom salt does.

Will make sure. Thanks for the advice!

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