Goldfish - Help

[FieryGlassSlipper]

We have had 2 goldfish for just over 18 months.

They seem happy and have grown well. They have a tank that is the right size for them and I cycle the water every 2 weeks. I change about 1/3 - 1/4 of the water.

This morning we came down to find one of them looks like he's about to die. He is primarily on the bottom of the tank and on his side.

Nothing in their environment/feeding etc has changed. The only think I can think of is that about 2 weeks ago I noticed the sides of the tank were a bit grim with algae type stuff. I've never had this before.

Any tips to revive him? Or to prevent the other one going the same way?

anyone?

My fish have not had the water changed at all since march and they never get fed, they live on the algae and have thier own eco system it seems.

I had a fish who repeatedly looked like yours and lived for a couple fo years. But equally I had one who died in a day. Goldfish are so cheap to buy and easy to keep that it's very rare to find any hard an fast rules, even vets dont bother with them that much.

You could try popping 1/2 a frozen pean in it's mouth as sometimes they have buoyancy problems and this redresses the balance.

Other than they scan the net for Goldfish cures

Good luck, I know it's horrible to see any creature in pain or suffering.

try popping him into his own little tank, see if that helps. it sounds a bit like swimbladder tbh, you can get some stuff to traet it from a pet shop.

oh yes, I've heard people mention that swim bladder before. I lloked after a fish with it once. It looked deathly but carried on to live for months and months afterwards.

I cannot imzagine how you get a frozen bean into a goldfish's mouth...

Does the tank have a pump? If not, could it be a lack of oxygen? I had something similar. I spoke to a lady at the local pet shop and she advised me to move the fish to his/her own bowl. Then to add a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda. Then to take a cup with water, lift it up high and pour back into the bowl. Do this several times (the idea being to put oxygen in to the water). I was sceptical but good old Bugs picked up in no time and is still going strong 2 years later. Best of luck

Thanks for that. I do have a pump and cycle the water regularly. I tested the water today and it was high on nitrates - not sure why. Have changed the water again and will google swimbladder.

Ok, I gave him a pea last night and he is still at the bottom but no longer on his side so maybe there is hope yet.

Thanks for the advice.

Sorry but I just have to ask-how the hell did you get the pea in his mouth?

We lost one of ours at the weekend and one of the others is showing (intermittently) the same problem as yours....

Lol. I put half a pea in the water (took the skin bit iff first) and it sank to the bottom and he staggered over and gobbled it up. Amazing to watch actually.

Unfortunately it wasnt meant to be so our remaining goldfish said goodbye to his lifelong friend today

Thanks for advice anyway.