Swimming in circles!

[Zen4t5]

My gf has a fat Ryukin. It's left fin doesn't seem strong enough to keep him straight. When it swims slowly its fine. When it wants to go somewhere quickly, he ends up swimming a tight little circle and goes nowhere. Between you and me. it's freakin hilarious. There is a red welt right under the skin where the left fin and the body meet. She has had him for 2 months and has always been this way. He is a very happy fish and has a great appetite. He s also the largest and boss of the tank, so no one bothers him. Is there anything I can do to help heal his fin? Maybe this is the way he is now?

 

[oscar83]

as far as i know theres nothing you can do to grow the fin more. if the fin was nipped off it will usually regrow but if its been like this since the fish was hatched then he'll be like that for teh rest of his life. however, i suppose you could take some scissors and nip the other fin to help him swim straight... j/k j/k :joke:

where in jersey are u from btw? im in bound brook

 

[YoFishboy]

Hehe..I have seen many similar instances where ornamental goldfish have various balance and swimming issues...this is the nature of the territory with hyper-inbred strains, particularly at the commercial, farm bred level. As with any fish, or any pet for that matter, you have to have an idea what the norm or standards are for that particular animal, and try to select stock that holds those qualities. In this case, I think it would be best to have your goldfish fit with a prosthetic fin extension !

 

[fantail]

Could be septiceamia. What are your stats for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph? ny other fish with any redness of the fins or look bruised under the skin?
Tank size and how many fish and whats your cleaning regime?

 

[Zen4t5]

This is my gf's tank. She has a 20 gallon long with 3 other goldfish. I know. I know. She is overstocked. I am constantly stopping her from getting more fish. I have bought a 40 gallon HOB filter ontop of the 20 gallon HOB filter she originally had, for extra filtration. The tank doesn't look overstocked right now, but I tried to explain it will be in a year. She feels the fish have plenty of room. What can I do? She is very good with weekly water changes.(30%)No other fish has this problem. He is a very happy fish. He has been this way since day 1. Is septiceamia curable? What is it? Is it common?

 

[fantail]

If the fish has had it all this time then its not septiceamia.
Dont know whats wrong then as it should have mended if it was caused by trauma.
Ask your GF to do 30% twice a week and see if you can get a medicated food to feed.