Goldfish curved at bottom but alive

[Jack H]

Hi,

I've wanted to join the forum for a while and my sick goldfish prompted me to finally join.  I have 3 comet goldfish that are about 2.5 inches in body length.  They are in a 55 gallon (with intent of upgrading when they get bigger) and it has 2 filters and a few plants.  Just a few hours ago I noticed that 1 of the 3 fish had a curved spine and was laying on its side on the bottom of the tank.  It is still breathing and looking around and occasionally swimming around while its spine is still curved.  The ammonia is between 0.25 ppm and the Nitrate is 20ppm.  I was away from home for a while so they haven't had food in a 2 weeks and have been in the dark during that time.

I moved the fish into a 10g hospital tank with 5 gallons of new water and 1 gallon of old tank water.  He has been swimming around a little more since going in there in the past 30 minutes.   I am going to petsmart to buy meds tomorrow morning so I want to figure out what is wrong tonight hopefully.   I have read people talking about ammonia or nitrate poisoning or bacterial infection.   The other 2 fish are fine which makes me think it isn't the parameters.

Thank you for any help or suggestions!  These fish mean a lot to me so I am trying to do as much as possible to help him.

Note: the image is him in a quickly put together hospital tank.

Edited July 12, 2021 by Jack H
To give more information and add tags

[Colu]

It could be a combination of things he could be weak though not eating for 2weeks coupled with ammonia can he staighten out or is his back on the bent all the time

[Jack H]

On 7/11/2021 at 9:39 PM, Colu said:

can he staighten out or is his back on the bent all the time

It is bent all the time in the past few hours I've been watching him but bends less when he swims around a bit.  He is usually sitting still at the bottom of the tank but the bend is less severe when swimming which he does for a few seconds at a time.

[Colu]

Is he eating ok 

[Jack H]

On 7/11/2021 at 9:43 PM, Colu said:

Is he eating ok 

I haven't tried feeding him because he is sitting at the bottom and they eat floating pellets, but I can definitely try.  I fed the other 2 fish when I moved this one to the quarantine tank and they ate like normal.  

[Colu]

What would do is try and get him to eat offer some frozen blood worms or brine shrimp as he will be.weak if he hasn't eaten in 2 weeks and increase water changes and add prime to detoxify the ammonia and add aquarium salt 1 table spoon for 2 for one week just remember to only put back in the  the amount of salt you take out so if you do a.2 gallon water change only put one table spoon of salt back in

Edited July 12, 2021 by Colu

[Jack H]

Thanks for the advice.  I will do that.  Should I add anything like api general cure or the co-op med trio?

 

Also, he wouldn’t eat the pellet food but I will try the other ones you mentioned tomorrow when I can buy them.

[Colu]

you can treat with.maracyn and salt

[Jack H]

Thanks for the help.  I’ll purchase those and add them tomorrow morning and I’ll post any updates.