Floating fish.

Question
I've had two orandas in a 30l biorb tank since August, without any problems.  However, since just before Christmas, one of them has developed what I think are swim bladder problems and keeps on floating to the top of the tank. He can control the floating by swimming, but when he stopes he either just floats to the top and sits there or wedges himself under a plant so he can stay nearer the bottom. I've tried giving him peas and not feeding.  This solves the problem temporarily, but as soon as he eats again, the problem comes back, almost immediately. Apart from the floating he seems fine and there are no problems with the other fish.  Should I worry and is there anything I can do?

Answer
Hi Kate,

The minimum size tank for a goldfish is technically 38 litres, despite popular belief Goldfish are extremely difficult fish to care for. Goldfish are notoriously filthy animals, they don't have a stomach as such so food literally passes straight through them. They also release huge quanities of highly concentrated urine meaning ammonia levels will build substantially in a small amount of time.

I wouldn't recommend a Biorb as suitable for any fish, but I don't expect you to rush out and spend your hard earned cash on fancy Fluval Roma tanks. The fact is the fish are in the biorb and now we need to deal with it. Don't get me wrong  biorbs are pretty, but they just aren't equipped to deal with Goldfish.

Goldfish require an excellent filtration system, and a large area of surface water for optimum oxygenation. I'm not sure what filtration system biorbs are equipped with but I'm sure it's not enough to cope with two orandas. (I know it sounds silly, but goldfish really are very demanding fish)

Now, the floating problem.

Fancy Goldfish have been line bred to produce weird and wonderful varieties, such as celestials, orandas, ranchus etc. Unfortunately this means that the swim-bladder has been broken down over time and no longer comprises of two roughly equal sections. Therefore fanyc goldfish (along with 'scaleless' fish) are particularly susceptible to swimbladder problems. It is widely believed that the condition is incurable but I dispute that.

Swimbladder disorder is accelerated by coldwater. Raise the temperature slightly (say...2 degrees C) and give the fish a mild salt bath. This should relieve the problem. Feeding Daphnia (water-fleas) or earthworms (chopped) can help by improving digestion.

Also remember that Goldfish are natural scavengers. Starving your fish for a day can give them a good detox and encourage their natural scavenging behaviour. Some claim that doing this can aid the digestion of the fish.

Cut back on flake foods too, Orandas aren't stupid, they will get bored of their diet. Bloodworm, Tubifex, Daphnia etc will go down a treat in the tank. Live food will give lead to the fish giving off really nice vibrant coloring. Another reason for doing this, is that flake food can swell in the gut and lead to constipation that can make the goldfish...........float.

Orandas aren't as hard as their common cousins and need to be protected against prolonged temperatures below 13 degrees C (although, your house can be that cold!)

Also, I know I nagging on and on, but I'll shut up soon, get a test done on your water at your local fish shop, just to make sure the swimbladder trouble isn't being caused by a disease.

Good luck

and.......can you tell me your water changing schedules, filter maintenance etc?????