Silver dollar

Discussion in 'Diseases' started by Gareth, Oct 8, 2009.

  1. Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    Hi all
    I have a silver dollar that is just floating around my tank and no he is not dead as soon as I touch him the he swims fine again but not for long then he floats around on his side on upside down?
    What can this be because he has been doing this from yesterday????:wondering:
     
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  3. Bufamotis

    Bufamotis

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    Swim bladder infection maybe, i dunno

    is he bloated in any way, any visible symptoms?
     
  4. OP
    Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    No nothing that is what is bugging me
     
  5. SalmonAfrica

    SalmonAfrica Batfish

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    Are any other fish showing symptoms? What do your water tests say?

    I'm thinking maybe an internal problem...
     
  6. OP
    Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    No it is just him none of the other show any symptoms
    I can t tell you what the parameters are because I did a 50% water change and added salt to see if I can get him right
     
  7. Bufamotis

    Bufamotis

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    i've once lost a goldfish in the pond the same way, when i was little, though the process took weeks, it was horrible.

    hope someone has remedy answers in sight?
     
  8. OP
    Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    I am planning an epsin salt bath for him tomorrow afternoon do you think that will help?
     
  9. Bufamotis

    Bufamotis

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    Epsom salts for the laxative effect? i dunno, where are the guys with the knowhow that have dealt with this before?

    i'll go net surfing an see what comes up
     
  10. OP
    Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    That is exactly what I am doing as well but they also say to add frozen peas and then starve it for 2 days????? I don't know about that
     
  11. Bufamotis

    Bufamotis

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    the peas are a laxitive some as the epsom salts, found these two links on about.com:
    if its swimbladder probbs, then here are some references
    http://www.netpets.com/fish/reference/freshref/swimbldr.html
    http://www.petplace.com/fish/when-your-fish-can-t-swim/page1.aspx

    "Buoyancy problems are caused by a wide variety of disorders. Some of these include systemic disease (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, cancer), starvation, general weakness, eroded fins and broken fins, swim bladder diseases, and excessive air in the gastrointestinal tract or abdominal cavity. Buoyancy disorders of goldfish, especially the round-bodied ornamental varieties like orandas, lionheads, bubble-eyes, Ryukins, and moore, is one of the most common and frustrating problems confronting the pet fish hobbyist and aquatic animal veterinarian."

    "Swim Bladder Disease

    Many buoyancy problems are simply idiopathic, which means that there is no known cause, and are associated with the swim bladder – a small epithelium-lined sac in the anterior abdomen responsible for maintaining buoyancy. The sac inflates if the fish needs to be more buoyant and deflates if the fish needs to be less buoyant. Goldfish and some other fish are members of the cyprinid (minnows and carp) family and are physostomous, which means there is an open connection between the esophagus and the swim bladder. The bladder is called a pneumocystic duct, and it allows additional adjustment of buoyancy by letting air out through the digestive tract.

    Sometimes the swim bladder is affected by food impactions. Viruses and bacteria can inflame the lining making it difficult for gases to diffuse across. And the genetically selected rotund body type of the goldfish predisposes them to food impactions, which in turn clog the pneumocystic duct. Then, too, feeding dry foods which tend to take on water like a sponge and expand in the fish helps to cause food impactions.
    Green Pea Treatment

    Oddly enough, one treatment that has had good results is feeding your fish a pea. That's right, a single green pea (canned or cooked and lightly crushed) once daily often helps cure the problem. Exactly how the "green pea" treatment works is unknown, but it is possible that the pea helps move or displace lighter and/or air-filled food through the digestive tract. Your veterinarian should still examine your fish, including a physical examination and radiography; however, the harmless and inexpensive "pea treatment" seems to have its place in managing buoyancy problems of goldfish.

    The "green pea" protocol should also include increasing the water temperature to 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and continued feeding of the regular commercial fish food. However, discontinue feeding your fish floating pellets or flake food."
     
  12. OP
    Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    Will try that tomorrow then and leave the bath for another day
     
  13. Bufamotis

    Bufamotis

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    i tried the peas once, beware they didn't float, and if the fish is up there, it might take some thought on how to get the peas to float were the dollar can reach it...
     
  14. OP
    Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    I was considering crushing the pea and puting it into his mouth
     
  15. Bufamotis

    Bufamotis

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    i dont have/never had dollars, so didnt think of that, hope it works, good luck!
     
  16. OP
    Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    Thanks, I will keep this thread updated to let every one know if it work or not.
     
  17. veegal

    veegal

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    Once a fish is at the stage of just floating around at the top of the water, (I assume on it's side?), then the chances of it surviving, no matter what you do, are extremely extremely slim to say the least.

    Was the silver dollar swimming abnormally prior to it moving to the surface? If it is swim bladder you would have noticed it prior to it reaching this stage.
     
  18. slayer

    slayer

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    sorry about your SD Gareth. All the best hey.
     
  19. OP
    Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    HI the funny thing is he does not float to the surface at all he is close to the bottom that is why I did not think it is swimmers bladder. and it seems to me it all happens over night as well there were no signs

    Thanks Man
     
  20. veegal

    veegal

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    Is he lying on his side on the bottom?
     
  21. OP
    Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    Yes and ever now and then he swims normally for a little while and then he lays on his side again.
    I have no idea what it can be :wondering:
     

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