black moor upside down

Question
Help! We have a black moor in with 2 fantail goldfish all in a 10 gal tank.  Don't change water but maybe once a month (these are mom's fish)when it looks brackish, brown and I can get down to visit.  Mom added some water the other day out of her Brita filter water jug, but added no chemicals to combat possible chlorine (hopefully the Brita did its job?)  Now, I just read a few of your previous solutions to people's problems and just discovered your goldfish website. But I need help fast at this point.  The black moor is (about 2.5 in) floating upside down & appears dead until the light is turned on for feeding.  He then swims about, upside down, and appears to have normal energy, trying to right himself at times. But upon further inspection of his belly he has a small red blood spot (I think near his dorsal? fin near the center of his belly)  So I am concerned it could be an infection causing gas buildup.  His appetite continues to be good. And he is my 82 year old mother's favorite.  Can we save him?

Answer
Hi Dayle;

He may need medication for bacterial infection and a change in diet for the swim bladder issue. Use "Maracyn Two" or Kanamycin. I don't think it's really going to help very much until he is moved to a bigger tank and water changes are done more often though. His troubles are due to the stress of his current environment. All those guys are getting bigger all the time and really need 25% of their water changed twice a week right now to get their immune systems working properly. The gravel needs vacuuming too. Is there someone else closer by that could help your mom do that? Hopefully there is and the fish will feel better very soon.

If you could work it out to get them into a 30 gallon or larger, they would do VERY well. Keep the little ten gallon to use as a "hospital tank" and leave the black moor by himself so he can be treated. Clean the ten gallon out first so it has a good start to help him heal. Once he gets well he can be moved into the bigger new tank with the others. It is best not to treat the others if they aren't sick. It gives the sick one a chance to recover alone and rest too.

Here is a link to information about goldfish swim bladder trouble;

http://www.netpets.com/fish/reference/freshref/swimbldr.html

I hope the black moor feels better soon. I know how difficult if must be when you can't be there to take care of it yourself.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins