Vertical on the gravel

Question

Image 2  
Image 1   QUESTION: I don't know why he does this, but I want to understand it.

It concerns me because it is a change in behaviour (he has been with me for two years) and over the past week I have noticed him taking up this vertical position on the gravel when resting in evenings/nights. In the day he is perfectly active, eats healthly, engages and interacts well.

However, he does have a softening of scales (perhaps a growth of some sort) in the area just behind his gills towards the top fin. I wonder if it is this growth that is now affecting his resting position, perhaps pressing on an anatomical structure in his body causing his head to rise upwards when he is not actively moving?

I have learnt that this is rather uncommon, and I urgently want to understand why it is happening. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts, ideas, experiences... :)

ANSWER: Hi Charlie,
 That is an interesting behavior. It may not indicate that anything is wrong, however, there are two steps I would take. First, I would do several partial water changes in a row. When nitrogen products build up in the water, fish start acting a little strange.  In particular, they get more easily frightened.  Secondly, I would make sure that there are lots of hiding places in the tank where he can go. At night, in particular, many fishes try to find a quiet place where they can feel secure -- night is actually a rather scary time for most fishes.

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I greatly appreciate your thoughts, Ron, I've been doing short water changes in order to dilute/lower the nitrate levels. But on watching my fish a little closer today I have noticed that he is struggling to keep his balance (even in the vertical position), using more effort to try and not flip backwards from his upright position. I feel this might be a precursor to a Flipover disorder?  Is there anything you can advice me in, considering flipover disease?

Kind regards,

Charlie :)

Answer
Hi Charlie,
 Yes, that does sound more serious.  Unfortunately I have never kept goldfish and don't know anything about "flipover disorder".  It certainly doesn't sound good.  Sorry.

-- Ron C.
   rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
   Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>