Hello, I have read about what could be going on with my fish and tried several suggestions but my fish still looks sick.  So I decided its time to post something.

I have a 10 gallon tank with 2 goldfish.  I've had the tank set up for about 3 months.  One of my goldfish is doing great, eating a ton, and looks healthy.  But the other goldfish has been looking sick for the last couple weeks.

He is not eating much.  He will suck the food in and spit it out.  Or suck it in then start opening and closing his mouth really fast like he is choking.  Sometimes I notice he is tilted to the side.  I don't see anything on his skin or gills that looks suspicious.  He is still swimming around a good amount.  And when I go to feed him he acts hungry.  He used to inhale everything.  I even had a live plant in the tank that got completely eaten.  Meanwhile my other fish is eating for two now, so he is huge compared to the sick fish. 

I am good about changing the water every week.  I usually change about 2 gallons.  And I did a 4 gallon water change this week to be sure.  I tried feeding him peas but they didn't get eaten.  I just tested the water with a test strip and get GH 30, KH 40, pH 6, NO2 0, and NO3 40.  I have a filter on my tank and just changed the cartridge.  I don't have an aerator. 

What should I try next?

Thanks for your help

They aren't fancies.  Just regular common goldfish.  Do you still think I need a bigger tank? 

Also he is competing for the food.  He just isn't eating much of it, instead he spits most of it out. 

Also I forgot to mention that I have noticed poop hanging from him a few times.  Which makes me think he isn't constipated.  The poop is kind of stringy, not solid like I usually see at the bottom of the tank.  I don't know if that means anything.

two commons...these grow to a foot in length...you do the math( think six foot long )


ong thin poop: Same color as there food but its thin and long. This normally caused by stress and not eating well. Fish should be closely watched.

White poop with air bubbles: There isnt any color to the poop and there is air trapped in the poop. This is signs of constipation, the food isnt being prossed in the fish. Fish should be not feed for three days and then feed nothing but peas for three days.

Thin white poop: There isnt any color to the poop. This is a sign of a bacterial infection inside of the fish. Fish should be placed on Anitoboitics and feed nothing but anitibotic foods.

Long clear (zig zag) with air bubbles: There isnt any color to the poop but it is long and with air bubbles in the poop. This is normally the fish reabsorbing eggs.

Long and thick poop: The poop is long but the same color as the food you feed them but it trails the fish. This fish is feed to much and is alittle consitapated. Fish shouldnt be feed for three days.

Short to medium poop: Good healthy poop should be the same color as what you have feed them. The poop should be short to medium length and not be trailing the fish for long lengths of time.

I suggest the following actions:

Start feeding your fish by hand, soak the flakes just below the surface and let your fish eat them from there, that will keep them from swallowing unnecessary air. Buy a pack of frozen bloodworms and feed them this as a treat 2-3 times a week and feed them de-frosted shelled peas the other remaining days. You probably shouldn't feed them more than once a day since your tank is so small, but do give them peas or bloodworms for dinner or something

Next, you really need to start looking for a bigger tank, as I said at least a 4 foot long tank if you can? A 10 gallon is generally a useless tank, it's far too small for most fish and is a pain to keep stable water chemistry and temperature in.

thanks for your help.  I will give your suggestions a try.  Thanks