Goldfish help

[KingBrian]

My goldfish tank has always been a problem for me. My fish have somehow got just about every goldfish disease possible from Dropsy, ick, anchor worms, bacterial infections etc.
My latest problem is with their Swim-bladder. The last few weeks 2 of my fish have been sticking at the surface of the tank. They seem to like it up there though because they can swim down easily. Last night another fish joined them, but he is not so lucky.
My ryukin will float upside down at the top of the tank if not disturbed (if I get his attention with food, he'll right himself and go wherever I want).
I've used aquarium salt, but I'm afraid to add too much. I can test the water hardness, but is there a limit? I'm hesitant to add more medication (I have some that is for swimbladder disease) because it seems every month I'm treating them for something, and my local fish store is getting tired of seeing me (the last two times he gave me free meds).

[vjvl51]

Many of these diseases can be traced to stress - stress due to poor water quality, over crowding, poor quality of food. Even you and I will be sich more often if we are under a lot of stress. Can you give me some more info - size of tank - number and types of fish - temperature - ammonia (if you have been dosing a lot, your bacteria will have been killed causing the ammonia to climb) - filtration - types of food and frequency of feeding - fequency of partial water changes. This will give me some idea of what your tank is like.

Since your fish are at the top of the tank, I would strongly suggest a partial water change - about 1/4 of the tank. This will help dilute any ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

Vickie

[rfleming]

Swimbladder problems are VERY COMMON in goldfish and not usually related to stress. Usually it has to do with digestive problems associated with floating food, at least in goldfish. A simple thing to try is to feed them spiralina flakes and cooked peas in which the skin has been removed. Peas seem to work the best and may people have had great success, feed them 3-4 times a week (peas that is) and see how they do. Also try feeding foods that dont float, and maybe pre-soaking the food for 20 minutes befire you feed it, this should help.

I am also a HUGE fan of a medicated food called Medi-Gold from www.goldfishconnection.com, my Ruykin had fish lice, which I treated with anchors away, but she still had ulcerated spots and no appetite. After 1a 4 day regiemein on medi-gold it was remarkable how well she did...food for thought!

-Robert

[KingBrian]

Originally posted by vjvl51
Many of these diseases can be traced to stress - stress due to poor water quality, over crowding, poor quality of food. Even you and I will be sich more often if we are under a lot of stress. Can you give me some more info - size of tank - number and types of fish - temperature - ammonia (if you have been dosing a lot, your bacteria will have been killed causing the ammonia to climb) - filtration - types of food and frequency of feeding - fequency of partial water changes. This will give me some idea of what your tank is like.

Since your fish are at the top of the tank, I would strongly suggest a partial water change - about 1/4 of the tank. This will help dilute any ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

Vickie

Thanks
I can't see how my fish would be stressed, it's in my bedroom, so the only thing that could stress them is my computer sounds (which 99% of the time is not loud). I have the lights on between 8am to 9pm.
I have a 55 gallon aquarium. I have 5 goldfish (four smaller 1 larger) Temperature is usually between 72-75F. Last few times I checked the water, there was no ammonia, nitrates, nitrites. pH is around 7.0-7.2 (usually).
I feed flake food in the mornings, and at 5:00pm I feed again a cube of Frozen Brine Shrimp (which they love) and sometimes sinking pellets for my pleco.

I tried medicating for the swim badder which greatly helped 3 of the fish (they don't stay near the top anymore). Helped somewhat the fish that floats upside down (he doesn't float as much, and has much less trouble swimming.) BUT my large oranda is allegeric to the medicine. (I am about to post a new topic with pictures in a few minutes in the forum).
Thanks again.