My goldfish is floating sideways and spinning. Is it swim bladder?

Thanks for reaching out about Wolfy. Floating upside down is a serious concern, possibly involving the swim bladder or intestinal tract. Typically additives to the water are not absorbed systemically but the salt might help decrease osmotic imbalances in the body. A radiograph could help determine if fluid is filling the swim bladder, and then systemic antibiotics could be administered, probably vi injections. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about your fish. Antibiotics rarely help these conditions if placed in the water, as fish don't absorb antibiotics through the skin, gills or drink it. Systemic antibiotic (injections) could help. A veterinary visit is highly recommended to assess, determine a cause, and plan a diagnostic/treatment protocol. Acetazolamide in the water can occasionally help. Good luck.

This is a classic sign of swim bladder disorder. Check water quality and chemistry. use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. pH should hover around 7 and water temp should range between 65 F and 72F. Perform a partial water change is necessary to stabilize chemistry and improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Pristine water quality is the foundation for recovery and healing. Next, fast her for 3 days. Resume feeding bits of cooked, shelled green peas until she is swimming and defecating normally. You can fast her one day a week in the future and offer green peas to maintain regularity. If symptoms persist, consider a broad spectrum dewormer and a broad spectrum antibiotic. You can find both in the aquarium section at Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment in indicated.

Thanks for reaching out about Tank. A radiograph or blood work could help provide answers. Radiographs could show a fluid/pus filled swim bladder. Injectable antibiotics could assist. There is little that can be done at home. Good luck.

If you believe it is swim bladder disease, fast them for 3 days. Resume feeding bits of cooked and shelled green peas until swimming and defecation are normal. The peas can relieve constipation which can cause swim bladder issues. You can also consider a broad spectrum antibiotic and/or a broad spectrum dewormer for the tank to cover infection and parasites. Look in the aquarium section of the local Petco for products. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.

Thanks for reaching out about Lenny and including a photo. By the description it sounds as if he has a swim bladder, hyper-inflation, spinal problem, or possible gas in the intestinal tract. A veterinary visit is recommended as radiographs are probably needed to assess the condition. Antibiotics might be needed, requiring injections and not additives in the water. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Tunky. Laying on the bottom of the tank is often associated with swim bladder disease, where the bladder is filled with fluid or infection, and not air, leading to difficulty with buoyancy. As always with fish, test the water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates- correcting any abnormalities. If those appear within normal limits, a visit to a veterinarian with experience in fish, is recommended. Systemic antibiotics should probably be started, which usually mean injections. good luck.