goldfish scale loss

Question
QUESTION: I've had my tank now for about one year, 29 gal.  Two fantail goldfish,  a whisper filter, ph, ammonia and nitrate levels, fine.  I do partial changes of a gal or two every other day, 1/4 -1/3 water change weekly.  One of the two fantails has been sickly for the past 4 months.  Swim bladder I think.  I feed peas, soaked pellets but he spends the majority of his time on his back.  He seems to be losing his ability to right himself and even get to the top to feed.  He's missing the majority of his scales on each side of his body.  What's going on with him and what can I do for him?
ANSWER: Hi Lisa;

It sounds like a buoyancy problem caused by genetically deformed swim bladder. The missing scales are from irritation as the skin dries out on the surface ahile he floats. Since you have tried everything else, the only thing that may help him is surgery at this point. Small quartz pebbles are placed inside the lower body cavity through a tiny incision so the fish's body will remain upright again. Here is a link about it, but if you are squeamish you may want to find a vet that treats fish and give him or her the link before you look at it yourself;

http://www.koivet.com/flipover/index.html

I wish I could help more...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the information.  I will check with my vet to see if he does this but in the meantime I'm really worried about my fantail missing scales.  He seems to have a slight indentation on one of his sides.  It can't be that they're drying out as he never floats at the top but remains on the bottom in an inverted position so he's on his back most of the time.  Is there a disease that would do something to the surface scales and below them?  It's against my nature to kill anything for any reason.  I want to do the right thing.

Answer
Hi Lisa;

The slight indentation could be from his swim bladder being deflated. The pebble insertion surgery would not help except to keep him upright. He would need to be inserted with buoyant material instead. Some hobbyists have devised 'harnesses' for their disabled fish. They have bobbers attached so they can stay upright. Here is a link to a discussion and pictures;

http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14727

You might try an antibiotic in case it's cause is bacterial. Use a product called "Maracyn Two". It absorbs into the body to get where infection is. Most other fish meds work on the outside. If you are able to get him to eat, you could try a medicated food instead.

Poor guy. I hope he gets better...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins