Help me save my goldfish!!! :(?

Question

I have had my pet goldfish for just over a year now, and recently he's started to swim strangely. He won't use his tail at all anymore, and has resorted to wriggling from side to side instead, and some days he just sinks to the bottom as if he's tired out. He isn't bloated at all and his colour is still bright and orangey. His tail isn't damaged either from what I can see, but his swimming has just become more and more pathetic! What's the matter with him? Is there anything I can do for him? Please help- I love this fish!

Answer 1

Goldfish can live a VERY LONG time.  See the link below.  Also see the other link that describes several different symptoms and links you to the diseases in goldfish.  Good luck!  

Answer 2

Have you been keeping his tank clean?  Have you cleaned it recently?  There are chemicals in the water that you can't see and can make your fish ill.  Clean out the tank and do some research on the net about how to maintain chemical levels of the water and maintain healthy bacteria levels.  

Make sure you are not over feeding.  If you love him too much he couls get sick from over eaten or poisened by uneaten food in the water.  They need surprisingly little food.  It is easier to over feed than underfeed.

Goldfish can live for over 10 years if kept well.

Answer 3

Dont worry my fish nemo is one year old (danio) and hes been swimming like that for a few weeks, at first he wasn't eating for 2 days but then i fed him peas without the shell and he loved it! he was just tired of the food. and i guess your fish is swimming kinda wriggling because he's maybe getting old, or if he just fat! lol, don't worry everything is going to be fine, as long he is eating, and is normal he is fine. but to be on the safe side

Get about 2 peas and put them in water and microwave for about 12-15 seconds, then remove the outer layer. and chop the peas up in small bites and put them in the tank. this also cures swim bladder disease.

Good luck with your fishie! and it wont hurt to play with the little guy!

I would get a bracelet of some sort (thats SAFE and washed like a lot with water only NO SOAP) and tie that on some thread and put it in the water and he'll go threw it eventually. My fish loves it =]

Answer 4

Really you cannot do anything! Im so sorry.  

Answer 5

Change the water, clean the gravel. Feed him frozen peas. Your fish probably has swim bladder. At least hes making an effort to swim. Feed him live blood worms. My betta injured his fin but when I put blood worms in he got it working again from the excitement of the food. But if all that doesn't work, you might want to consider swim bladder medications, for goldfish. Goldfish need AT LEAST 10 gallons per a goldfish. Most people say about 30.

Answer 6

you can try some swim bladder medicine from the pet store, check your water for ammonia and nitrite levels. good luck

Answer 7

Im not trying to put your hopes down or anything but golfish don't last for long. Try consulting a vet person. Are you feeding it different food cleaning out the tank properly ??