Swim Bladder

[RolandnFrogmore]

My one-year old goldfish Porsche has been lying upside down on the bottom for over two weeks. She is alive and breathing and moves back and forth, but does not flip over or swim upright. I have done some research and think it has to do with her swim bladder. (My last two goldfish Denzel and Aretha lived over 10 years and were each over one pound...they died last year within a month or two of each other.) Porsche and Lex live in a 29 gallon water acquarium. Here's the thing - another fish lover suggested that I take a small needle and pierce under her fin in the approximate location of the swim bladder to relieve the gas/pressure. Is there any validity to this sort of treatment? He also suggested that placing her in warm water for a period of time might help. Suggestions, please.

[Lyvea]

I wouldn't try piercing the fish. Especially if you're not exactly sure where things are in there!

What I would do though, is run some water quality tests and try a water change or two. If you've had fish for over ten years, you probably know what you're doing, but a 29 is still kinda on the small side for two goldfish with the amount of ammonia they produce. Granted, it might not be the problem, but it would only take a few minutes to test the water and a few minutes more to do a quick water change, and those procedures certainly won't make anything worse--unless maybe you forget to dechlorinate the water

Also, has the fish been eliminating? If not, or if so in loooong strands, it could mean constipation. Feeding shelled peas should help with that, and I know others like to use some Epsom salt for its laxative and calming effects.

If none of the above, wait for Nicole (platytudes) to reply She's great at this!

[RolandnFrogmore]

Thank you, Lyvea, we will change the water and treat it. I had NO IDEA that 29 gallons was considered small for only two goldfish! And Porsche IS eleminating in long strands. We will also get some peas today and try that. Thank you again.

[Wetplants]

The peas will definitely help. And do get some water quality tests done asap, this could be an environmental problem. You do bring an intereting idea. I guess it would work medically, kind of like relieveing ICP in the human brain, but without an extremely ridiculous knowledge of fish anatomy, you'd probably just poke something that shouldn't be poked.

[Lyvea]

Thank you, Lyvea, we will change the water and treat it. I had NO IDEA that 29 gallons was considered small for only two goldfish! And Porsche IS eleminating in long strands. We will also get some peas today and try that. Thank you again.

Sure thing. Let's hope it's something simple You should see results soon (<1 month) if you get water quality in check right away and get started on fixing the constipation...if that's what it is.

For reference, most sources recommend at least 30 gallons for goldfish, partly because of their size (some can get to be pretty big, in the 10-12" range, most top out around 8") and partly because they produce an abnormally high amount of ammonia compared to other fish, and the large water volume helps mitigate that a bit. You know what they say, dilution is the solution to pollution! With two regular goldfish, 30 gallons is ok, but a 55 would be easier on you both, plus it would allow you to add a third fish. They're fairly social schooling creatures.

Oh, and don't forget to cook the peas first! I just throw some in a bit of water into the microwave for a few seconds, then pinch the shell off after it's cooled for a few seconds. Unsalted canned peas work well too. Keep us updated, will you please?

[platytudes]

Hi there! Sorry to come into this late

What have you been feeding your goldfish? They really need a mostly vegetable based diet - otherwise bloat eventually catches up with them. Having them graze on aquatic plants, such as Elodea/Anacharis or other tender plants, works great - here's more info on that:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshmalnut.htm

But if you can't manage that, just feed them veggies. Apart from peas as Lyvea mentioned, mine eat chopped spinach, zucchini slivers, cucumber, slices of Romaine lettuce - which I just weigh down with a heavy magnetic clip (like a Chip Clip). I also feed them nori, which is the dried roasted seaweed you use for making sushi. I just tear a strip and weigh it down with a plastic clothespin. They love these foods, and I have never had them have trouble with bloat or constipation - their poop is always green and thick (good) not thready and white (bad).

Water quality could definitely be an issue with such old goldfish in a 29 gallon tank - they really do need more room! I have two black moors in a 29 gallon tank. Any minute now (I've been saying this for months now ) I am going to find the time to set up their 55 gallon tank. A 55 gallon tank can keep 3 goldfish, provided they are not comets, shubunkins or any of those long, koi shaped fish. A 29 gallon tank can technically keep two, but you need a great deal of filtration and water changes to keep things healthy. 40 gallons is much better - goldfish really do best with 20 gallons per fish, I've come to find out

Do try the peas, and if that doesn't fix matters, dissolve Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) in warm water at a ratio of 1 teaspoon per 3 gallons. This works as a muscle relaxant and will relieve constipation, if that's what the problem is...but do check that water quality!