Sick fish?....floating about on top of water

[Sidonay]

There are only 13 of them - all goldfish now. I had been feeding them but stopped a week ago the rest are all at the bottom. No have not tested the water, have not got any kit here to do it as have never tested it. Poor thing suddenly gets a little burst of life but it is always at the top of the water - he hasn't gone low for a couple of days now. Should I take him out do you think incase the other fish get ill? Sorry am a complete novice but have had the pond for years - I wouldn't usually be too concerned but with the koi going last week it seems a coincidence.

Thank you

 

[HARO]

Feeding fish when the water temperature is below 10 degrees Celius can lead to problems with bloating, and can kill the fish in some cases.
John

 

[Sidonay]

is there anything I can do for it?

 

[HARO]

I'm not saying that is the problem, only that it's a possibility. In that case, bringing the fish indoors and SLOWLY raising the water temperature might help it to digest the food in its gut.
John

 

[Sidonay]

Thank you very much John, I will try that now and let you know how I get on

 

[Waterbug]

I don't think it will survive but I'm at a loss to what to do.

A good first step would be to read this thread.

 

[Dave 54]

There are only 13 of them - all goldfish now. I had been feeding them but stopped a week ago the rest are all at the bottom. No have not tested the water, have not got any kit here to do it as have never tested it. Poor thing suddenly gets a little burst of life but it is always at the top of the water - he hasn't gone low for a couple of days now. Should I take him out do you think incase the other fish get ill? Sorry am a complete novice but have had the pond for years - I wouldn't usually be too concerned but with the koi going last week it seems a coincidence.

Thank you

Hi Sidonay

I'm Dave from the UK your comment about the lack o water test kits i;e ammonia Ph Nitrite and Nitrate quite frankly scares the hell out of me , why ?....because at the moment you are playing Russian Roulette with your goldfish.
What was the pond temperature when you stopped feeding them Please ?
Next feeding your fish did you see anything that was out of the ordinary i;e swimming differently fins clamped etc ?
Are they showing signs of a white sheen or perhaps small white dots all over the body ?
we need to get to the bottom of this rather shaprish before you loose the lot?
Are they perhaps fancy goldfish , if so what are they , fancy goldfish dont tend to do well in cold water and can often surcome to illness during the winter months .
One book I can recomend you read is Fancy Goldfish , A complete guide to care and collecting by Dr Erick L Johnson DVM and Richard E Hess photographs by Fred Rosenzwieg ISBN Number 1859749577 it covers all aspects of Goldfish Keeping etc and will give you a really good grounding in the Hobby.
Weve also Posted a list of all our fish/Koi/Health Books that if you wish you can use to buy other books .
It being Christmas and All can I see Perhaps Dr Eriks book in Santas sack for you ?

rgrds

Dave