Fantail’s Mouth Won’t Close

[KellyBean]

Hi there,

Sorry for the panicked post. This morning I noticed my goldfish’s mouth wide open and it has been unable to close it since (at least 7 hours). I can see no debris/ gravel. Fish is currently swimming and eating. Local vet and pet shops unable to help, specialist vet can’t see fish as we’re too far away.


1~What type of fish is afflicted? Fantail goldfish
2~What are your tank parameters? Only know temperature is 23.5’c
3~ How large is the tank? How long has the tank been set up? Tank is 20lt, in place over 1 year
4~What type of filtration are you using? Please give the name and number (i.e. Fluval 304). Unknown, fish and apparatus inherited
5~How many fish are in the tank? What kinds of fish are they and what are their current sizes? 1 fish only, 3 inches.
6~When is the last time you did a water change and vacuum the gravel? Full change today to see if it helped. Usually 4-6 weeks full and top up 2-3 weeks.
How much water do you remove at a time? All removed and 5lt held back and used again.
7~How long have you had the fish? If the fish is new, how did you acclimate it/them? 1
8~Have you added anything new to the tank--decor, new dechlorinator, new substrate, etc.? No
9~What kind of food have you been feeding your fish, have you changed their diet recently? Goldfish flakes, no change.

Can anyone offer any advice, am worried the fish will suffer?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Toad]

Uh, I hate to break it to you, but your fish needs to be in a much bigger tank, more like 115l tank just for him. Even with the filter he is probably suffering from poor water quality. In a tank that size you'd need to water changes like every day until you get a bigger tank, and get a liquid test kit to tell you where your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels are. Goldfish are large messy fish. Also flakes are not recommended because they can cause golddish to swallow air which can lead to swim bladder issues. There is a very informative goldfish/coldwater section on here if you want to learn more on them.

 

[Autumnsky]

Here is one where the fish got to feeling better.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f17/goldfish-cant-close-mouth-36732.html

If you have mouth sized gravel it could be far back in the mouth. It may possibly finally get it out if it is a stone or gravel.

Do the fins look ragged or are they splitting? Eyes look clear? Seeing red veins in the fins???

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...uire-big-tanks-visual-perspective-265871.html

If it is eating, checking parameters and increasing the tank size could help.