dying and floating sideways

Question
Last question . . . I think.  He died last night but we had began to medicate the tank with
Maracyn.  Should I continue with the treatment just in case his tank mates have the disease as
well and just aren't showing visable signs.  It was my understanding that you should remove the
coal filter but the box says it can stay in place if it is older then a week.  The box says it will not
kill off the good bacteria in the filter.  This contradictory to what I have heard.  I thought the coal
actually diminses the medecine' ability to work.  After the treatments finish I am suppose to do a
50% water change as well, is that correct.  What are your thoughts on the antibiotics and the
filter.
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Followup To
Question -
I did do a water quality test and eveyhting was good except the Ph levels were low.  I did the
water change right after I sent the e-mail as well.  I failed to mention that we have 2 filters (twice
the recommended amount for the size of the tank).  How long can a fish who is still breathing
just lay on the bottom without eating.  Is he effecting the water quality?  Also, whenever we tried
to give him a pea his tank mates would eat them instead.  One of the remaining fish has a similar
swim bladder problem, always on the top.  He is very active and actually appears the strongest of
the bunch but . . .
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Followup To
Question -
We have had a healthy 30 gallon tank for 2 years now and one of our goldfish (black bugged
eyed fan tail) is on it's death bed.  About 2 weeks ago he had a small white spot (like cotton) but
it went away, the spot healed and he was looking healthy.  He has always had a problem with his
boyancy remaining on the top but now he has been on the bottom for 1 week.  A few days ago
his movements deminish and he is barely moving and today he is not eating or moving much.  I
feel his time might be short on this earth.  Is there anything we can do for him?  What about his
tank buddies (2 fan tailed goldfish, 2 snails and a small cleaner fish)? I don't want to loose them
as well.   (you may post this question)
Answer -
Hi Katherine;

Poor guy. He may just be a weaker fish that has been chronically ill for whatever reason. Try a
25% water change to see if it helps perk him up. If he begins eating again, offer him chunks of
broken up cooked green peas. Goldfish really need green foods like that and it will help clear the
intestines. Floating on top is an indication of that kind of trouble. A failed swim bladder will
cause a fish to stay on the bottom. Because goldfish have digestive systems that are sort of tied-
in to their swim bladders it can sometimes be helped by a change of diet. Constipation is a major
cause of digestive and swim bladder trouble in goldfish. Feed them cooked peas, green beans,
raw squash, raw cucumber, and raw romaine lettuce chunks at least twice a week to keep things
"moving."

Goldfish are pretty messy fellas that need regular water changes and gravel vacuuming to stay
healthy. Replace 25% of the tank water every week and vacuum the gravel every 2 to 4 weeks. It
helps keep your fish strong and resistant to disease.

If he still has trouble after the water change he may have an infection that you can't see. The
cotton stuff you found on him is an indication of an area that was infected. You might check out
what the local fish store has available. Look for fungus treatments or medicines that treat
"saprolegnia". This particular infection will put toxins into the fish that cause it to be lethargic.
Usually only weak or injured fish will get it. Tanks that aren't kept clean can cause fish to be
weak and get sick very easily so be sure water changes are made regularly and it will reduce the
chances of illness and infection.

Hope he feels better soon....

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins
Answer -
Hi Katherine;

You might need to put a divider in the tank or get a smaller one for the sick fish to be able to eat
what he needs. Poor guy. That's a tough one. He's not impacting the water quality any more than
a normal fish. His swim bladder has failed and as long as he can get food and not be bullied by
his tank mates he can live a long life that way. A failed swim bladder really doesn't cause pain or
suffering as long as he is safe. He just can't float anymore. Do what you can to help him out. I
know it's hard.

Good filtration is very important. It's great to have two on there. Especially with goldfish.
However, even with good filtration the pH level is degraded and the fish are having chronic
problems. That's why weekly water changes are so important. Fresh water replaces trace
elements and minerals the fish need that become exhausted over time. The pH can't remain
stable because invisible organic matter builds up. To see where the dissolved organic matter
levels are, have the nitrAtes tested. This is different from nitrItes. Ammonia and nitrites should
always be zero in an established tank. Nitrates can be up to 40 ppm. Water changes are the only
way to lower them and keep the fish healthy.

Here are a couple of links to articles about water quality and disease;
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/Water_Change_How_Often.html
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshdisease.htm

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

Answer
Hi Katherine;

Poor guy. Sometimes they are just too far gone to help them.

Keep using the medicine just in case. If you stop now, any infectious bacteria present will become stronger as it recovers. If you have to treat for it again it may not die because it has built up an immunity to the antibiotic. The package is quite correct about the carbon. Once it is used for a week or so it's 'pores' are full. It can't absorb much, if any, of the medicine anymore.

In my opinion, any medicine that is an 'antibiotic' will affect the beneficial bacteria. It usually isn't very bad but common sense tells us it does that. I've read the same thing on the labels and I don't know how they get away with that statement. Maybe because the standards for pets are not the same as for people? As long as you are aware of it and know what to do they will be okay. Doing a water change is a good idea. You will want to anyway because it will get rid of the foamy residue the medicine left in the water. Sometimes it looks pretty bad. Doesn't harm the fish, but makes the tank kind of......well, yuck. ;-)

Hope everything works out okay......

Chris Robbins