Around 10 or 11 pm the last couple of nights I have been watching my fantail goldfish swim up to the surface and then trying to get back down to the bottom of the 20 gallon and fail. He almost looks like he is going to die he swims on his side and then floats to the surface where the other goldfish try to help him. Then next morning he is fine and swims normal again. Can any of you knowledgeable fish keepers explain to me why my fantail is doing this?
Problem with my fantail goldfish.
- Thread starter Bluegill
- Start date
fancy goldfish have terrible problems with their swim bladders,can be brought on from feeding at the top of the surface, best fed sinking foods
i keep a small 30 litre tank for my mum with an oranda in it and he has typical issues in terms of being unable to swim upright. He spends more time upsde down in a corner than swimming with the other 2 little fantails. Getting to a point where I want to put him out of his misery. Where these goldfish have been bred so much the swim bladder has been squished and distorted so much so it does not function properly. Feeding a variety of foods i.e. bloodworm, peas, flakes, pellets can help but unfortunately no matter how much you try, you can't reshape the bladder 
your one is not an uncommon case so try not to worry
your one is not an uncommon case so try not to worryI've heard that feeding peas sometimes helps correct the matter, but it's not a guarantee.
Feed the others sinking foods from now on, or if you feed flakes soak them first so they sink because as some others mentioned goldfish are extremely prone to swimbladder issues.
Feed the others sinking foods from now on, or if you feed flakes soak them first so they sink because as some others mentioned goldfish are extremely prone to swimbladder issues.
Well I have some bad news about 10 minutes ago I went to go check the tank and I see a red and orange ball about the size of a dime. I look closer and it is the skull of the fantail goldfish with the problem.
The whole body fins and all are gone! All I have in the tank is a small 2.5 inch crayfish and about 8 commons and comet goldfish and one calico fantail. I have never seen such a murder in any of my fish tanks. I have seen Larry my pet bass ram goldfish into the side of the tank and swallow and then spit out small goldfish but I have never seen a goldfish with its body completly gone and just the skull left over.
The whole body fins and all are gone! All I have in the tank is a small 2.5 inch crayfish and about 8 commons and comet goldfish and one calico fantail. I have never seen such a murder in any of my fish tanks. I have seen Larry my pet bass ram goldfish into the side of the tank and swallow and then spit out small goldfish but I have never seen a goldfish with its body completly gone and just the skull left over.Here's a goldfish breeder secret. Feed small pieces of oranges (the juicy part, not the white part or the skin). Don't feed too much because it will affect the pH. Feed small amounts every day and you can cure and prevent swim bladder problems.
the peel shouldn't be fed because it's mainly citrus oil and is bitter. You should only feed the flesh. (fish have tastebuds too!)