fish injury

Question
Hi,
My tank has been set up for 6 years, it is a 38 gal. tank. I have three black fish ( not sure of the proper name.) They have the telescope eyes. The PH level is 7.6, I am not sure about the ammonia and nitrate levels.

One of my fish has a bent fin. He is having trouble swimming around. He mostly lays on the bottom of the tank. He has been eating normally. I want to help him and repair the fin. What could I do?

Thank you for taking my question.

Answer
Hi Joanie;

Poor fella. A bent fin shouldn't cause him to lay on the bottom. It may make him swim a little differently, but not sink to the bottom. He has a failed swim bladder. It is common in the type of fish you have. They are a fancy goldfish known as "Black Telescopes" or "Black Moors". Goldfish have a unique internal system that places the swim bladder in direct connection to the stomach. This means the failure of the SB can be related to digestion, mainly constipation. Here is a good web page on it;

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

I hope he feels better soon......

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins