It can be unsettling to see your goldfish floating headfirst. Many aquarium owners find themselves in this situation, which frequently makes them feel powerless. However, there are immediate actions you can take to aid in your fish’s recovery.
Recognize that this does not always indicate that your fish is dead before becoming alarmed. In actuality, upside-down goldfish are frequently an indication of swim bladder problems, which are treatable with the appropriate attention.
It can really make a difference to know what to do in this circumstance. Be it diet modifications, water quality adjustments, or simple cures, taking immediate action will save your fish and avert more issues.
Causes
It’s critical to determine the reason if the fish was fine the previous evening but started swimming on its back with its belly up today. Experience has shown that such behavior is concealed by a virus, an infectious disease, or parasites.
If we take into account the primary causes of the fish’s abnormal swimming and frequent breathing, we can emphasize:
- obesity;
- infectious disease;
- the presence of parasites;
- problems with the swim bladder;
- stress (the fish will come to its senses within 5-10 minutes);
- the fish swallowed something;
- an uncomfortable, cramped aquarium;
- there is a lack of oxygen.
Because goldfish are gluttons, feeding them too much or too frequently can cause their metabolism to become thrown off, which can result in obesity. Additionally, an imbalanced diet that contains an excessive amount of protein may cause this kind of illness.
It’s critical to realize that although goldfish are members of the carp family and lack a stomach, they do not contain any of the enzymes needed to break down proteins. For this reason, the only food these fish should eat is plants. Obesity causes the liver to enlarge and start to squeeze the swim bladder, which impairs coordination.
The pet is exhibiting signs of stress from its time in the aquarium if it moves very little and stays in shelters all the time.
Foreign body
Because goldfish are inquisitive and enjoy searching for food by digging at the bottom, they frequently swallow small stones. If the fish is swimming belly up, there is a foreign body in the intestines; if it is swimming upside down, there is something lodged in its throat. In these circumstances, the person is apprehended and examined visually.
You should contact a veterinarian right away if the fish begins to swim upside down, exhibits visible growths, open wounds, or ulcers, or if its color has changed from what it was. This could indicate a fungal, bacterial, or viral illness.
A sick person is taken out right away. It’s critical to realize that many illnesses result in an animal’s death and cannot be cured. It is crucial to begin treatment as soon as possible because of this.
Tweezers can occasionally be used to remove an object from the throat.
Infection
Swimming upside down is a warning sign for helminthic invasion, viral or bacterial infection, or both. It is highly likely that the illness is nearing its most severe stage and will not respond to treatment. Take the animal out of the main aquarium as a precaution. Start taking antipar or antibac medications right away for treatment. After feeding the fish in little portions once a day for at least five days, keep them on a starvation diet for at least twenty-four hours.
You can use a salt bath as an extra form of treatment. The fish is submerged in a container filled with salted water that has been salted with 10 grams of table salt for every liter of clean water, in accordance with the parameters for goldfish.
Should your goldfish unexpectedly bob up, it’s an obvious indication of trouble that needs to be attended to right away. Poor water quality, overfeeding, or swim bladder disease could be the cause of the issue. Stabilizing the situation can be accomplished quickly by taking steps like changing the fish’s diet and improving the water quality. For your goldfish, knowing the cause and taking quick action can mean the difference between life and death.
Help
It is advised to see a specialist who will prescribe the proper treatment if the goldfish started swimming upside down and there are indications that the swim bladder is sick.
Generally, the fish must be kept without food for three days in a different aquarium. It is advised to boil, peel, and chop the peas before giving them to the animal after three days.
The water in the tank where the fish is kept should be between +25 and +27 degrees, and the water level should be lowered to make it easier for the fish to come to the surface of the water.
A special conditioner that can replace the mucus layer in the aquarium will need to be added if the goldfish is constantly floating to the top of the water and parts of its body are exposed to the air.
In the event that this course of treatment is unsuccessful, antibiotics are used as a last resort.
Prevention
Since there are numerous causes of pathologies and infectious diseases, it is advised to periodically check the water’s temperature (or, better yet, install a thermometer in the aquarium) to prevent catastrophic outcomes. The ideal temperature range for the water is +23 to +25 degrees Celsius.
Use high-quality food when feeding, and try to maintain a balanced diet if at all possible. It is essential to utilize only dry feed made especially for goldfish. As supplements, herbal remedies are fantastic. There is a belief that a fish in good health is a hungry fish. Give the fish as much food as it can consume in 30 to 40 seconds. Every week, have a day when you fast.
Avoiding overfeeding is recommended as it is one of the causes of obesity. Select a 2-3 mm fine fraction of soil. You must siphon the dirt out of the aquarium and change 30% of the water once a week in order to keep it clean. It is not a good idea to turn off the equipment at night because the fish need constant filtration and aeration to prevent suffocation.
| Problem | Solution |
| Goldfish floating upside down | Check water quality and change 20% of the water immediately |
| Fish struggling to swim properly | Stop feeding for 24 hours and switch to boiled, peeled peas |
| Swim bladder issues | Maintain the water temperature around 24-26°C |
| Overfeeding | Feed smaller portions, avoid high-fat foods |
You must act quickly if your golden fish is floating belly up. Since these are frequently the underlying causes, start by examining the temperature, oxygen content, and water quality. If there’s an issue with ammonia, nitrites, or other dangerous substances, a quick water test can identify it.
Next, think about the potential for problems with the swim bladder. These can lead to buoyancy issues in goldfish, which are common. To help clear any digestive obstructions, try depriving the fish of food for a day or two and then giving it a tiny piece of cooked, peeled pea.
A trip to a veterinarian with expertise in fish care may be required if you’ve tried addressing these issues and the issue still doesn’t go away. Don’t put off getting help because it can frequently save your goldfish if you act quickly.
