Fancy Goldfish swimming upside down with large lump in belly.

[buzzsaw]

I have about 6 large fancy Goldfish in a 40 gallon tank with undergravel
filter, top filter, plenty of air, etc. They have been together for about 4
years and have no problems, just keep up on maintenance and add a snail or
two for cleaning every now and then.

Recently one of the largest GF has been "hanging out" upside down at the top
of the tank. He seems to have a nickel sized protusion on one side of his
belly and that side is to the top of the tank. His fins / gins and eating
habits seem to be fine, he eats upside down or he may flip over and swim
around during feeding. He has been this way for months. When he is at
rest, he is always upside down, and when I walk to the tank, his eyemovement
and fin movement increases. I am not sure what the lump is all about - I
would assume he is dying?! But this is a slow death if it is ...

Any ideas?

[Geezer From The Freezer]

buzzsaw wrote:
>
> I have about 6 large fancy Goldfish in a 40 gallon tank with undergravel
> filter, top filter, plenty of air, etc. They have been together for about 4
> years and have no problems, just keep up on maintenance and add a snail or
> two for cleaning every now and then.
>
> Recently one of the largest GF has been "hanging out" upside down at the top
> of the tank. He seems to have a nickel sized protusion on one side of his
> belly and that side is to the top of the tank. His fins / gins and eating
> habits seem to be fine, he eats upside down or he may flip over and swim
> around during feeding. He has been this way for months. When he is at
> rest, he is always upside down, and when I walk to the tank, his eyemovement
> and fin movement increases. I am not sure what the lump is all about - I
> would assume he is dying?! But this is a slow death if it is ...
>
> Any ideas?

What are your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH levels. Also what is the temp?
What sort of food do you feed?

[buzzsaw]

Not sure about the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH levels. I cannot test
those. I can tell you this is the only fish with a lump in his belly and
upside down, he did swim down today to eat and is still quite active for
being upside down.

Temp is about 60, I was told Goldfish like it cold - colder the better I was
told, I had a heater in there years ago, I took out. It is whatever the
house temp is usually minus 5 or 10 degrees. Will heat up with spring here.

Food is Wardley Goldfish premium flakes.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance
"Geezer From The Freezer" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> buzzsaw wrote:
> >
> > I have about 6 large fancy Goldfish in a 40 gallon tank with undergravel
> > filter, top filter, plenty of air, etc. They have been together for
about 4
> > years and have no problems, just keep up on maintenance and add a snail
or
> > two for cleaning every now and then.
> >
> > Recently one of the largest GF has been "hanging out" upside down at the
top
> > of the tank. He seems to have a nickel sized protusion on one side of
his
> > belly and that side is to the top of the tank. His fins / gins and
eating
> > habits seem to be fine, he eats upside down or he may flip over and swim
> > around during feeding. He has been this way for months. When he is at
> > rest, he is always upside down, and when I walk to the tank, his
eyemovement
> > and fin movement increases. I am not sure what the lump is all about -
I
> > would assume he is dying?! But this is a slow death if it is ...
> >
> > Any ideas?
>
> What are your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH levels. Also what is the
temp?
> What sort of food do you feed?

[blue sky]

Can you take a sample of water to the petstore or a friend to get tested?
"buzzsaw" > wrote in message
...
> Not sure about the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH levels. I cannot test
> those. I can tell you this is the only fish with a lump in his belly and
> upside down, he did swim down today to eat and is still quite active for
> being upside down.
>
> Temp is about 60, I was told Goldfish like it cold - colder the better I
> was
> told, I had a heater in there years ago, I took out. It is whatever the
> house temp is usually minus 5 or 10 degrees. Will heat up with spring
> here.
>
> Food is Wardley Goldfish premium flakes.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks in advance
> "Geezer From The Freezer" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> buzzsaw wrote:
>> >
>> > I have about 6 large fancy Goldfish in a 40 gallon tank with
>> > undergravel
>> > filter, top filter, plenty of air, etc. They have been together for
> about 4
>> > years and have no problems, just keep up on maintenance and add a snail
> or
>> > two for cleaning every now and then.
>> >
>> > Recently one of the largest GF has been "hanging out" upside down at
>> > the
> top
>> > of the tank. He seems to have a nickel sized protusion on one side of
> his
>> > belly and that side is to the top of the tank. His fins / gins and
> eating
>> > habits seem to be fine, he eats upside down or he may flip over and
>> > swim
>> > around during feeding. He has been this way for months. When he is at
>> > rest, he is always upside down, and when I walk to the tank, his
> eyemovement
>> > and fin movement increases. I am not sure what the lump is all about -
> I
>> > would assume he is dying?! But this is a slow death if it is ...
>> >
>> > Any ideas?
>>
>> What are your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH levels. Also what is the
> temp?
>> What sort of food do you feed?
>
>

[Geezer From The Freezer]

My goldfish live in 80oF water. Warmer water is better for swimbladder issues.
Goldfish are not coldwater fish really, they will survive, but are hardly living
a good life in very cold water. Bring your temperature slowly upto the mid 70oFs

Get some test kits for ammonnia, nitrite, nitrate and PH.

Feeding flakes is bad for goldfish in the long run. They gulp at the
surface taking in air. Flakes are not that nutricious either.
Feed some high quality pellets instead and some cooked green veggies. If feeding
peas, de-shell and chuck the shells away. Always cook without salt!

[buzzsaw]

I guess I could get the water tested at the pet store.

But my question is, only one - the largest one - has this large lump on one
side and is swimming upside down. Is there anything I can do for him?

You are right about the flakes - they gulp ALOT at the surface and splash
around. These are large fish, too. I will try the pellets.

Anything I can do in mean time ?

[Geezer From The Freezer]

buzzsaw wrote:
>
> I guess I could get the water tested at the pet store.
>
> But my question is, only one - the largest one - has this large lump on one
> side and is swimming upside down. Is there anything I can do for him?
>
> You are right about the flakes - they gulp ALOT at the surface and splash
> around. These are large fish, too. I will try the pellets.
>
> Anything I can do in mean time ?

Feed your upside down fish cooked deshelled peas - you may need to squish the
peas if he can't fit them in his mouth - this should help his digestive
system and pass right through him. Raise the temp slowly too - this
tends to help.

[buzzsaw]

Will canned peas be ok ?


"Geezer From The Freezer" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> buzzsaw wrote:
> >
> > I guess I could get the water tested at the pet store.
> >
> > But my question is, only one - the largest one - has this large lump on
one
> > side and is swimming upside down. Is there anything I can do for him?
> >
> > You are right about the flakes - they gulp ALOT at the surface and
splash
> > around. These are large fish, too. I will try the pellets.
> >
> > Anything I can do in mean time ?
>
> Feed your upside down fish cooked deshelled peas - you may need to squish
the
> peas if he can't fit them in his mouth - this should help his digestive
> system and pass right through him. Raise the temp slowly too - this
> tends to help.

[Geezer From The Freezer]

buzzsaw wrote:
>
> Will canned peas be ok ?

Personally I wouldn't use canned peas because of the preservatives.
Not sure what sort of effect that will have on the fish!

[Katra]

In article >,
Geezer From The Freezer > wrote:

> buzzsaw wrote:
> >
> > Will canned peas be ok ?
>
> Personally I wouldn't use canned peas because of the preservatives.
> Not sure what sort of effect that will have on the fish!

They also tend to be WAY too high in solt compared to fresh or frozen.
--
K.

[Geezer From The Freezer]

Katra wrote:
>
> They also tend to be WAY too high in solt compared to fresh or frozen.
> --
> K.

That too!!

[nk]

I use frozen peas. Thaw under a little warm water and remove the outer
"shell". Works fine for swimbladder every time.
n

[buzzsaw]

OK got the peas ... but I cannot seem to get the upside down fish to eat
them. The drop right to the bottom. He had one in his mouth and spit it
out.

I tried drop the pees right on him and he swims away.

Any ideas ?

Thanks for everything so far !!!!!!!


"Geezer From The Freezer" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Katra wrote:
> >
> > They also tend to be WAY too high in solt compared to fresh or frozen.
> > --
> > K.
>
> That too!!

[Angrie.Woman]

"nk" > wrote in message
...
>I use frozen peas. Thaw under a little warm water and remove the outer
>"shell". Works fine for swimbladder every time.

Why does the outer shell need removed?

A

[Geezer From The Freezer]

buzzsaw wrote:
>
> OK got the peas ... but I cannot seem to get the upside down fish to eat
> them. The drop right to the bottom. He had one in his mouth and spit it
> out.
>
> I tried drop the pees right on him and he swims away.
>
> Any ideas ?
>



Squish them and get him to eat them off your fingers.

[Geezer From The Freezer]

"Angrie.Woman" wrote:
>
> "nk" > wrote in message
> ...
> >I use frozen peas. Thaw under a little warm water and remove the outer
> >"shell". Works fine for swimbladder every time.
>
> Why does the outer shell need removed?
>
> A

Because they can choke on them. Also with the shells on, there is air between
the shell and the inner pea

[Deb]

I always soak any dried food in a little bit of water for a couple of
minutes just before feeding. This makes the food go down to the bottom of
the tank, and stops the fish gulping any excess air, so reducing any chance
of swimbladder problems.
Deb
"buzzsaw" > wrote in message
...
> Will canned peas be ok ?
>
>
> "Geezer From The Freezer" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> buzzsaw wrote:
>> >
>> > I guess I could get the water tested at the pet store.
>> >
>> > But my question is, only one - the largest one - has this large lump on
> one
>> > side and is swimming upside down. Is there anything I can do for him?
>> >
>> > You are right about the flakes - they gulp ALOT at the surface and
> splash
>> > around. These are large fish, too. I will try the pellets.
>> >
>> > Anything I can do in mean time ?
>>
>> Feed your upside down fish cooked deshelled peas - you may need to squish
> the
>> peas if he can't fit them in his mouth - this should help his digestive
>> system and pass right through him. Raise the temp slowly too - this
>> tends to help.
>
>

[nk]

I think it's too tough for them to "chew" and to digest.

Just drop the peas in the water. Your goldie will find them

n

[nk]

nk wrote:

> I think it's too tough for them to "chew" and to digest.
>
> Just drop the peas in the water. Your goldie will find them
>
> n

Forgot to mention that they need to be squished or cut into pieces small
enough for your goldie to eat! Sorry.
n

[Angrie.Woman]

"Deb" > wrote in message
. ..
>I always soak any dried food in a little bit of water for a couple of
>minutes just before feeding. This makes the food go down to the bottom of
>the tank, and stops the fish gulping any excess air, so reducing any chance
>of swimbladder problems.

I was doing that, but then I discovered that I get the same effect by
pinching the dry flakes between my fingers and released it underwater.

Thoughts?

A

--
www.greenzap.com/newoffer