My Oranda is upside down!

Question
Karen,

I have an chocolate Oranda goldfish (Truffle) who is not doing so well.  Until last night, she appeared fine and healthy.  Last night I came into my office to find her lying on the gravel... but I wasn't so worried since I have seen her do this before when it's dark.  This morning, however, she is very lethargic and in all sorts of odd positions, ranging from still, with her head toward the bottom, to lying on her side, to floating upside down.  She is propping herself against the plants to keep still.  I am very worried she is in pain.  I have read some info about swim bladders, but the prognosis doesn't sound good.  What can I do to help her?  Are there meds available to help with this?  

She is alone in a 10 gallon tank and though the water is clear, the plants are beginning to develop some algae growth at the tips.

Answer
Hi Jo,
Sorry about your fish.
You can't always tell just what is going on with the water even if it appears clear and ok. Goldfish are very high polluters of their water and it doesn't take very long for their water to get to dangerous levels. You really have to keep their water clean or they do develop problems. I would test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. After testing the water you really shouldn't have any ammonia or nitrites only nitrates. Don't let the nitrates get too high even though they are much easier on fish than ammonia and nitrites.

I would do a water change and if you haven't done one in several weeks don't do a large one. Over the next few days remove about 1/4 of the water only, especially if it has been quite a while since you have done a water change. Siphon the gravel and clean the filter in aquarium water too. If you have been doing water changes such as once a week then remove at least 1/2 of the water. The reason for not removing alot of water if it has been awhile is that the longer you go between water changes the pH will drop. If you do a large water change then the pH will be higher and the fish will have a very hard time adjusting to the sudden increase. It is so much better on the fish to have frequent regular water changes.

Anyway, see how Truffle seems after the water change. If better, great-- it could have just been that the water conditions were causing the problem. Check for any other signs of disease on fins or body. If there still seems to be a problem it could possibly be a swim bladder problem. Try feeding a slightly cooked green pea. Peel it and offer small pieces. Sometimes, this will help fish. Don't feed her anything but the pea for at least a day. Sometimes fish even get constipated from their food and this can cause alot of problems. Try these things first and see if there is any change at all.I've had an oranda that acted alot like yours is doing and it was the food. I had to try different foods and make sure that it was soft enough and the fish didn't get constipated. It seems that fancy goldfish have a tendency to have problems that resemble swim bladder  trouble. My fish finally got better, but it did take a while before he would swim normal.

Hopefully, it isn't swim bladder problems.Some fish do recover but not always.
Hope this will help Truffle,
Karen