His name is Raymond and he's two years old. He has been acting depressed lately...not eating and not really swimming that much. But since yesterday he's been just lying on his left side and breathing really slowly. He'll eat out of my fingers but he won't swim for the food. I've changed his water to spring water per the "fish expert" at PetSmart and he's a little more lively but he's still moping around. He doesn't have any marks and his fins are all in good shape. And no foggy eyes.

Any ideas? I'm getting worried so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

 

It's not looking too good I'm afraid. Despite not having any spots, you can't really leave Ich out of the diagnosis. Where does Raymond live? How often did you conduct water changes??

Asif

 

Take her to the vet if you want her to live.

 

Have you checked the PH level in the water? How about parasites?

 

Okay, I've been changing the water weekly with distilled water, which I've just learned was bad. And he has a plain goldfish filter. I didn't check the ph or ammonia or nitrite levels because the PetSmart girl told me the corrective chemicals for that stuff would only hurt him more.

 

Get him used to pond water and then set him free in the pond.

 

Thats not a bad idea, however I still think it may be too late if he is laying on his side and not feeding. Distilled water is a big no-no. Ideally tap water with a good water conditioner is fine. Consider a bigger home (eg pond) but at this point, the shock of transition may kill him. Wait it out for a few days, conducting a water change of 25% or so every two or three days until the fish's condition changed. A vet is a thought, but I can't justify the extraordinary vetinary fees to save a goldfish.

Good luck!
Asif

 

Maybe he's lonely and needs a mate.

 

yea you dont want to distilled water. i use tap water with water conditioner.

umm i wouldnt recommend using any chemicals in the water. it may worsen the condition. the only you can try is salting the water.

every time my piranhas act weird or look a little sick i turn up my temperature and add salt.

also i recommend that you try daily 25% water changes and see if that improves anything. also you need to check your water parameters. checking ph, nitrate and nitrite levels are done externally. you buy a little kit and it comes with little testing bottles.


good luck with your fish though! just be happy he wasnt expensive. also do you know the life expectancy for goldfish? are they supposed to be long? i just know that piranhas can live up to 30 years.

chris

 

I just got back from a fish place and they tested the water and said the only problem is maybe the Ph is a little low. No ammonia or anything. They gave me some drops to raise the Ph.

What is this itch all about XTC? I saw some stuff called "itch away" but had no idea what it was...

:crossesfingersfornow: