Funny Fantail Behavior Follow-Up

Question
QUESTION: Hi Trish,
I have a 2.5 gallon tank with two relatively small fantail goldfish in it (I live in a college dorm, it's just about the only size tank I can fit on my desk). It's one of those simple beginner tanks, without a PH balance reading or anything, it's just got a little Bio-Bag whisper filter (Medium sized). Anyway, i have a periscope fantail (the ones with the huge boggly eyes) who has started doing something weird after i feed him - he DOES eat, but afterward seems to have trouble with his balance. He keeps struggling to swim straight, and when he relaxes, he starts floating upward, which then prompts him to start struggling again to swim back down. He's usually vertical. His vigor is the same (he's very active) and he doesn't seem to be SICK, just off-kilter. He will jet very quickly to the bottom of the tank and swim straight when prompted by a loud noise. I called the pet store where I bought him and they said it might be something wrong with his swim bladder, and I wasn't sure if this was detrimental to his health, or simply an annoyance, or if there was any way to fix it. The other fish has no problems after he eats (and the one that does usually clears it up after some time.. definitely over five hours).

Anyway, is there anything I can do? Thanks so much for you time, and I really appreciate any advice you have to offer.

Best,
Catherine

ANSWER: It sounds like he might have swim bladder disease.  You can look it up online.  It sounds to me that what the fish store also didn't tell you is that your poor goldfish should be in at LEAST a 20 gallon tank, as these poor guys get very big and cannot survive in a tank that small.  The ONLY fish that can survive in a tank that small is a Betta fish.  Goldfish are extremely messy fish, and will quickly foul a tank that small and will eventually die of ammonia poisoning or other ailments, the problems your fish is having now is just the start.  They will not live long in that tank.  This is not your fault, it's the pet shops, and I would go tell them off if I were you.

I would suggest that you try to find these fish a new home while they are still alive, and get yourself a beautiful little Betta fish.  They are quite friendly and have great personalities.

Sorry I cannot give you brighter news, I'm just being honest.  For you to see what I am talking about, here is a link to check out and see for yourself.  http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Goldfish_disease.html

Good luck.    ;o)

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

QUESTION: Yikes! I had no idea (and the pet store certainly didn't inform me!) that they couldn't be in a tank that small! The only alternative home I've currently found for them is in the tank that my boyfriend's family has in their living room (it's giant, but i'm not sure exactly of the gallon number). The only problem is, I think it's more tropical fish - tetras and whatnot, even though they have some black mollies in there. Could my fish potentially live there, or should I keep looking? For the time being i've been adamant about water changes and tank tidiness.

I'm not entirely sure about a chronic swim bladder disease, only because the funny swimming shows up ONLY after he's eaten (for instance, if i feed him at night, it goes on, but by the time i wake up in the morning he's puttering around normally). The other fish does nothing at all like this.

Anyway, thank you so much for your help, and let me know what you think about the bigger tank. I could find out what temperature the tank is kept at, but if you could let me know what's appropriate for a fantail, I'd really appreciate it!

Best,
Catherine

Answer
Hi Catherine.  It's amazing what the pet shops "don't tell you", huh??  It's such a shame, it should be against the law.  Believe it or not, the average lifespan for a goldfish in the US is 3 weeks.  Yes, WEEKS.  Because they are put in fish bowls and die.  Plain and simple.

Anyway, the highest recommended temp. for this type of goldfish is 72 degrees.  So, depending on what they keep the temp. at would be the deciding factor.  Other options you have are to try to find them a home or see if a pet shop would take them back or give you store credit or something for them.  Tell them WHY you need to return them.....that you were totally misled when they sold them to you and you are ticked off that they would do that.  And then tell them if their employees do not know that goldfish need at LEAST 10 gallons each, they should hire new staff because they are clueless as to the needs of these fish.  Making people aware and raising a stink at the pet stores in front of customers is the ONLY way that we can even dream of stopping the abuse that these poor fish endure.

Also, if you put them in that big tank, you have to remember the "dirty" factor.  The water in that tank will be a lot messier then usual because of the goldfish.  So there is another reason why it would not be a good idea.

I wish I could help you more.  It IS a good thing that you are doing all that you can to keep their water clean.  But let's face it......it's got to be hard for you to keep up with given your studies and everything.  And these fish are only going to get bigger.  And if they are not moved into a bigger tank, they will appear to not be growing, but their insides will still be growing and become displaced and disfigured and they will die a painful death. (Sorry again).  It's a misconception that they only grow to the size of their tank.  It would be like cramming us in a little box and expecting us not to grow at all.  It would stunt us and kill us, but we wouldn't "stop" growing.

About the swim bladder.  Try soaking his food before feeding him (soak it in some of his tank water).  This way it will sink and he can eat it.  Sometimes them gulping air while eating will cause the swim bladder problems too.  I have a feeling that he's going to stay that way.  A lot of the times if they do it only after they eat, it's not something that can be "cured" per say, just taken care of.  He can live a perfectly normal life (under the right circumstances), but will just flip upside down from time to time.  I know someone who had one who was upside down his whole life and lived 7 years!!  Very strange to see, but the fish was quite happy and normal.  Just very upside down, lol (this does not cause them "pain" by the way).

Please let me know how you make out, and if you have any other questions, keep them coming.  I'm here to help (as much as I can, anyway).

Take care,   ;o)