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Fishnet

If you have a fish pond, fish tank or are seeking advice about keeping tropical fish, you can find advice on our Fish forum.

Original poster

Is my fish dead?

26 replies

FergussSingsTheBlues · 08/03/2023 21:22

My son has gone to bed heartbroken - one of his goldfish is floating at the top of the tank with cloudy eyes, looked dead to me to be honest but I thought that dead fish sink. Eyes basically colourless. Gosh itself is still golden.

they were fed yesterday and he always says good night to them so it’s happened very recently.

can anybody advise? I have obviously erred on the side of caution and said that he’s asleep but don’t know.

OP posts:
Tulipvase · 08/03/2023 21:24

Is the water oxygenated? Could try chucking a pea in. My sister revived a fish doing that but I presume it was for a specific issue.

bamboonights · 08/03/2023 21:26

Oh that's so sad for your son - takes me back to my own childhood. I'm sorry I'm no fish expert so can't offer any advice. Good luck if you try the pea! 💐

Original poster
FergussSingsTheBlues · 08/03/2023 21:27

Frozen pea?

OP posts:
Original poster
FergussSingsTheBlues · 08/03/2023 21:29

My mum died recently and I don’t think he can take anything else dying, I will prob do a switcheroo. I don’t lie to my kids but o think this wot be really hard to bear

anyway: how many peas?

OP posts:
Orangetapemeasure · 08/03/2023 21:30

Floating goldfish are dead.

3ormorecharacters · 08/03/2023 21:31

In my (limited) experience dead fish normally float :-(

RogersOrganismicProcess · 08/03/2023 21:34

Ah poor DS. It happened to my DCs not long after their sister died. I was terrified of telling them as there had been so much sadness already.

I did tell them, and they were upset, until that is I gave them the chance of burial or flushing it down the toilet. They were as high as kites with the idea of getting yo flush the fish down the toilet. It is surprising how pragmatic children can be.

Original poster
FergussSingsTheBlues · 08/03/2023 22:43

I scooped It out using a net and it didnt respond. Put it back in the water. It’s now buffering against the side of the tank but seems to be propelling itself about. One eye cloudy the other ok. Swirling in circles. I’m going to change the water tomorrow. Is there anything else I can do? I’d say not dead. Yet 😳

OP posts:
Cleebope2 · 08/03/2023 22:45

There’s a fishnet topic??? Who knew? Good luck with your goldfish.

TheGirlWhoLived · 08/03/2023 22:47

I’d get a replacement in sharpish. In my experience goldfish eat their dying friends so do keep an eye…

ComeTheFckOnBridget · 08/03/2023 22:55

Apparently vets do see little goldfish so you could call them in the morning

TheGirlWhoLived · 08/03/2023 22:57

I mean goldfish cost nearly nothing so although you could see a vet…. Im really not sure I would in this instance with cloudy eyes and a floaty nature!

catfunk · 08/03/2023 23:30

Just flush it and replace it but clean the tank well in case it's a disease

anon37484291918 · 08/03/2023 23:48

Leave the tank to keep the water cycling. Don't empty the water out. Clean your filters and add an air stone for oxygen.

How often do you do a partial water change?

It sounds like your fish has swim bladder. You can buy stuff to treat it (add to the water)

PonderingAIBU · 09/03/2023 00:00

Floating fish are not always dead. I had a goldfish once that I found floating on the top of the water on its side. I splashed the water a bit to get some movement and he came back to life and lived many more years! He looked completely dead when I found him though. Try reviving him and refreshing the water. Good luck!!

Snozzlemaid · 09/03/2023 00:08

You can get treatment for swim bladder to add to the water.

Original poster
FergussSingsTheBlues · 09/03/2023 07:22

I’d say he’s definitely dead to be
honest

Is my fish dead?
OP posts:
JamBiscuitBun · 09/03/2023 07:25

It might not be dead yet but it will be soon. I'd be concerned about water quality. Do you use test strips?

nc345678 · 09/03/2023 07:34

Can you see any darkness around the stomach area? This sounds crazy but I had a goldfish as a child which I thought was dead but turned out it had constipation and was floating... gave it something from the pet shop and it was ok. A long shot though, but just incase!

Original poster
FergussSingsTheBlues · 09/03/2023 07:43

nc345678 · 09/03/2023 07:34

Can you see any darkness around the stomach area? This sounds crazy but I had a goldfish as a child which I thought was dead but turned out it had constipation and was floating... gave it something from the pet shop and it was ok. A long shot though, but just incase!

Yes! He has dark shadowing around there

what can I do?!

i have never seen a fish curled like that so assume it’s too late

OP posts:
nc345678 · 09/03/2023 07:50

It might me worth going into a local pet shop if you can today- I'm sure it was flakes or some type of medicine they give you to put in the water. Worth a go!

ItsShiela · 09/03/2023 09:14

Is it only goldfish that float when dead? My Tetras and Neon Tetras sink to the bottom when they're dead.

Original poster
FergussSingsTheBlues · 09/03/2023 09:40

I’ve fished him out and could hear cracking sounds, definitely gone.

RIP Jeff 🙏

OP posts:
FartSock5000 · 09/03/2023 10:26

He's a goner and the chances are its down to water quality.

You'll need to do a larger water change now as the tank will have harmful levels of ammonia etc from the decaying body.

Goldfish are manky buggers and that filter looks inadequate for the amount of waste they produce. I'd up the water changes to bi weekly if you want to avoid anyone else going belly up.

Goldfish need large tanks with strong filtration.

Could you consider switching him to a betta fish? You'd need to get a small heater for the tank but they are much better suited to smaller tanks and they are lively and gorgeous to watch. Only 1 per tank though as they fight to the death.

Otherwise consider upgrading your tank setup and water change schedule to ensure any new Jeff's last longer.

Beneficialchampion2 · 09/03/2023 15:21

Why would you just replace a fish without establishing the cause of death first? Chances are the replacement will be subject to the same cruel fate as the first.

What is the tank size, how long has it been set up, did you cycle it?

How long was the fish in the tank for, do you test the water frequently and perform water Chang's weekly?

Goldfish are crap fish for beginners and are suited to ponds. Fancy goldfish are better for tank but are incredibly messy fish that require large tanks (150l+) and very good filtration and frequent large water changes.