Is my fish mentally retarded??

Question

I have a fantail goldfish named fatso and he swims upside down. hes not about to die cuz this has been going on basiclly since i got him, i just want an answer. he doesnt really swim, he floats (usually upside down) at the top. wen he does swim (like to eat and stuff) he struggles and acts like hes being pulled under or something, and he struggles to not go upside down again. i have to watch him to see if he gets enuff food cuz sometimes he cant stay right side up long enough to get a bite. and sometimes he will be swimming just fine but he will pass the food like hes mentally retarded or something. PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

I had a fantail goldfish last year with swim bladder disease (i didnt learn that till after it died). The guy at the pet store said i should have cut down his feeding to relieve a bit of his bladder and when i do feed him to smash peas and that should help them out.

Answer 2

he probably has swim bladder disease, feed him mash peas (fresh).

Answer 3

SWIM BLADDER DISEASE

also goldfish have poor eye sight

Answer 4

Please read the article at the link below.  Cory is right.  It probably is swim bladder disease, but it is treatable, so please read it, and good luck!

Answer 5

your goldfish has a problem with his swimbladder their are several medications that are suspose to help the problem if he is going to the bathroom regulary then the peas are not needed but a few days with out food will help if he isn't releiving himself regulary the shelled peas will help by working like a laxitive and again cut feeding down to once evey 3 to 4 days this will releive the presure on his swim bladder

Answer 6

swim bladder disease feed him peas, dry bran cereal, or finely chopped carrot.  my golfish had it too.  also try and put blue dye (non toxic) in the tank.  it is wierd but its used in alot of fish meds.

good luck!