Goldfish acting very strange

What are your tank parameters? I'm not certain of this, but I have had goldfish exhibit erratic swimming and crashing as a result of ammonia poisoning. Is there any red streaking in the fins? Only one fish is exhibiting the behavior, though, right?

Oh- hello, and welcome to AC, by the way!

Do you have a water test kit? I am not one of the goldfish experts here, but I have had goldies for about 20 years. With red spots, I would be concerned with two possibilities, septicemia, which is a bacterial infection which would require an antibiotic rather quickly, or the result of high levels of ammonia in the water, which causes veins in fish to appear red and can result in bottom sitting followed by the uncontolled erratic swimming you are describing. I would think that you would see symptoms in all of the fish, though. Fin rot is usually caused by problems with water quality. How long has the tank been up and running? Answers to these questions will probably help the goldfish specialists to better diagnose the situation. If you could post a picture of the ailing fish, that might help, too. One of the mods might move this to freshwater diseases if he/she feels you would get more help there.

I suspect that you will see some improvement after the treatment for ammonia. I see the red streaking in the tail and right by the gills. What were you using to treat the fin rot? Was it an antibiotic? Had the fish lost most of its tail to rot? (is what's there new growth, or what's left?) I'm hoping that someone with more experience will advise you further, ( Inka4040? Kashta? Flaringshutter? Lupin? any other goldie people I left out?) but I would seriously consider quarantine and antibiotic treatment for this fish if I didn't see improvement in the next hours, were it one of mine. Ill goldfish tend to get picked on by the others. He might improve with pristine water conditions, proper medication and rest from the other fish.
I wish you luck with your fish and hope that you will get further confirmation as to what is wrong with it. I think a water change is a good move for now. Please keep us posted.

I hope your goldies will feel better soon. Somerveil is right, though. You really must keep the ammonia and nitrites at 0, and the nitrates around 20.

If the ammonia was in the stress level, then this could certainly be the problem.
"Stress level" sounds like strip testing, too. You really need to get an accurate reading and the strips are extremely unreliable and inaccurate. The API Master test kit uses liquid testing equipment and gives you accurate water parameters readings.

Do water changes with Seachem Prime, a really good conditioner that detoxifies ammonia and nitrites, and removes chloring and chloramines, and do them as often as needed to keep the water parameters good. Ammonia, Nitrites at 0 or as close to it as possible especially since the fish are showing signs of stress or illness due to ammonia.

Hope your sick little guy gets better. Hang in there. Oh, and welcome to AC.

:welcome: to AC, ldmack!

I didn't see this thread earlier so I moved it as soon as I spotted the thread title in the Freshwater Newbie forum so you may get good responses with the goldfish specialists. I can certainly trust Somervell and Melody Doucet for trying to help you out of your issues with your poor fish.

ldmack3 said:

I've got a 55 gal tank indoors with 4 - 3-4" goldfish. They are about 3-4 years old.

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Am I reading this right? Your fish in question was a common goldfish. If the fish has remained at 3-4 inches for the last 3-4 years, the fish is certainly stunted. Although the fish will not appear to grow, the internal organs will continue growing and once they become cramped, they cease to function well thus the fish suffers and eventually dies as a result. The lifespan has been shortened severely in the process which is a far cry from the 20 years and over normal lifespan for goldfish.

In answer to your third post, common goldfish, comets and shubunkins all grow to at least 18 inches. Considering their size, a general guideline of 20g per fish has to be better served to allow them allowance to reach their potential in the next year or two since buying them as juveniles. For a 100g, I would have kept at least 4-5 goldies only. A 55g can support no more than 2 common goldfish unfortunately as the tank itself looks rather cramped for the fish with a potential 18 inch mark size. Even then, chances are good that the fish's growth is hindered if your water changes and feedings are inadequate.

I am sorry to say this but to be honest indicators saying "stress levels", "fine levels" remain very vague even to some of us here. Melody is correct in stating API liquid master test kit is extremely necessary here. A master test kit containing the three important variables, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate will cost you at least $20-30 but this is worth the investment in the long run as it will last you for at least a year. You are better assured in this than running to your store to have your water tested only to be told vaguely that the water is okay, etc.

The whole situation appears to be ammonia poisoning to me or rather poor water quality being involved especially as your fish suffered finrot previously. If the fish suffered red streaks on its fins and body, it certainly is either hemorrhagic septicemia or ammonia poisoning. To be rest assured of the probable ammonia poisoning, the test kit recommended, must be used. Finrot already indicates your water quality may not be up to par as you think. Could you please tell us your feeding schedule and actual tank maintenance regimen? For bacterial infections such as hemorrhagic septicemia, most antibiotics like Maracyn and Maracyn combination can work but antibiotics sometimes prove themselves more potent when used recklessly. Don't treat first until we have the exact water parameters to be sure of what we have here.

If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to ask. We are here to help.

Edit: I am having typing issues.:duh: