Goldfish is having problems.. help please?

Question

I don't know a whole lot about goldfish but I just got one and I have been learning as much as possible. Currently he is eating pellets and I pre soak them for him but he can't swallow them. He trys to but always ends up spitting it back out. In addition to this he doesn't swim around like he used to. He just floats on the top with his mouth gulping in air which can't be to healthy. Or he sits on the bottom of the tank. Should I be feeding him something else? What could be wrong with him?

Answer 1

He might need to eat flakes instead of pellets.  Also do you have a "bubbler" in the tank to oxygenate the water?  Are you using any drops to ph balance the water?  I'm no expert but I have had the same goldfish for 4 years.  Neighbors gave him/her to me after they won it at a fair :)  Good Luck!

Oh, cool that you have a filter....keep it clean.  Once again try ph balancing the water. Oh, and once you get the flakes...don't overfeed...it's tempting.

Answer 2

not to be rude but goldfish dont last long at all, they live like 2 weeks tops...................but why instead feed him flakes, they like that........

Answer 3

he might be dying

Answer 4

Feed him flakes ,when I got my fishes they were small and i feed them flakes but over the years the got 1 ft long so I feed them pellets. Pellets are for bigger fishes

Answer 5

Feed him flakes.

Answer 6

Goldfish live WAY longer than 2 weeks! They can live up to 15-20 years with proper care!! I hope you have it in a tank for starters, cuz if not, there is your problem. Goldfish bowls are killers and should never be used to house goldfish. Don't switch to flakes, the pellets can prevent your fish from getting swim bladder disease, so keep feeding him those. I think there may be not enough oxygen in the water for goldfish. I say get him an air stone and put it in him tank. It will add oxygen to the water.

When you see him at the top gasping for air, he is trying to get more oxygen. Good luck with your fishy!=)

Edit: depending on wheather you have a comet or fancy goldfish, base your tank size on that, 20 gallons for a fancy, and 50 for a comet. Hre is a good care sheet on them- http://www.firsttankguide.net/goldfish.p...

Also, goldfish from fairs are sometimes sick, so don't beat yourself up if he passes, cuz it is not your fault.

Answer 7

your water doesn't have enough air in it.

i suggest a water change and a bubbler.

start using flake food.

Answer 8

stick a plant in there the fish in oxgen that might be why there die and put the fish in pure water or water from a lake you can ask the people you bought it from