AboutAmber Worman Expertise I specialize in Gouramis, Black Moors, Fantail goldfish, and Bettas. I can answer questions about fish behavior, tank mates, diseases, and living conditions. I do not have much experience with breeding these types of fish, however.
Experience Fish are my passion - I have raised these types of fish for as long as I can remember. I am a college student at Purdue University where I have a major in Biology and a position as a lab technician in a fish laboratory.
Expert: Amber Worman Date: 3/15/2008 Subject: Fish pregnancy
Question I have two goldfish in a 1.5-2 gallon tank. This morning one of them was at the top of the tank upside down as if it was dead. then it took my other fish to come up from under it to flip it. It looks kind of chubby in the stomach but it could just be fat. In my tank there are two bamboo sticks that are 4 inches tall, two fake plants and a skull that my friend gave to me. I also have a lamp connected but on top of the tank and a water purifier. Is my fish pregnant or sick?
Answer Hello George-
Since goldfish are egg-layers (not live-bearers) they cannot be pregnant. They can be "ripe" though, which means that the female is ready to lay her eggs. Ripe females are plump with pinkish bellies, but they should not float upside down at the surface. Fish that float upside down are suffering from swim bladder disease, which is very common in goldfish, especially fantails. To help cure swim bladder disease you will need to:
1.) Stop feeding your fish for a week or so.
2.) Get a green pea, skin it, and cut it into small pieces. Feed the pieces to your fish. Make sure the sick fish gets most of the peas, but it is okay if you other fish eats some of it.
3.) Feed the peas in place of regular meals (1 - 2 times per day)
4.) If this does not help, you can try an Epsom salt bath. Use 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt per gallon (do this in a separate tank) and let the fish "soak" for 15 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on him; if he gets worse switch him back to his original tank.
