Life is going swimmingly for Einstein the crippled goldish – after his owner made him a personal LIFE JACKET.
The tiny Fantail lost the ability to swim after developing swim bladder disease, which caused him to turn upside down and sink to the bottom of his tank.
So worried owner Leighton Naylor made him a ‘floating frame’ from recycled tubing, which fits perfectly over the fish’s two-inch long body.
After a few adjustments the four year-old pet – named after his ability to learn tricks – is now back in the swim.
Warehouse worker Leighton, 32, said: “Einstein’s been suffering with ill health on and off for about two years.
“He’s always been a fighter so when he sunk to the bottom one day and couldn’t get back up again it was a very sorry sight.
“It broke my heart to see him so helpless. He looked so depressed.
“I started looking at floating aids and saw one where an owner kept his koi carp afloat by attaching it to a wine bottle cork but that looked quite painful.
“I wanted to build something that would allow Einstein to move his fins a little bit and be comfortable at the same time.”
Leighton, of Blackpool, Lancs., spent three hours designing the life jacket from fish tank aeration tubes, and adjusted the fit so it comfortably cradled Einstein.
He added: “He wriggled a bit a first and he wasn’t too keen on the idea.
“He kept catching on to plants and getting stuck but since I’ve rearranged the tank to make it disability friendly he’s been absolutely fine.”
The float means that Einstein cannot reach the surface to feed so Leighton drops him food through a tube which he lowers into the water.
If the fish is particularly unwell he can pick him up with his little life jacket to make sure he gets the food.
Leighton said he is now looking forward to teaching new tricks to Einstein, who shares his tank with fellow goldfish Pat, Frank and Blondie,
He said: “They’re one big happy family now, but he’ll have to wear it for the rest of his life.
“People have said I’m crazy but every animal is a valued family member and I do my best to help every one of them.
“I’ve tried to train all of my fish but Einstein’s really shone above the rest – he’s my star pupil.
“He can already swim through my fingers and through hoops using a feeding wand.
I was just getting him into fish football before he got sick.
“People can be dismissive of goldfish as pets but they are intelligent animals as Einstein proves.”
Swim bladder disease, also called flipover, is a common ailment in aquarium fish.
The swim bladder is an internal gas-filled organ that helps the fish control its buoyancy.
A fish with swim bladder disorder can float nose down tail up, float to the top of the water or sink to the bottom of the aquarium.
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Leighton, you’re an uncommon person to be so kind and caring toward goldfish. I adore my goldfish as well, and I share you’re sentiment that they are just as special and integral to our family as our other species of pets. I recently lost one of mt goldfish to S.B.D. Mine floated at the top. I tried to help it by making a barrier out of an old nylon (to allow it to stay in the middle area of the tank), but it only worked for so long. You’re right, it is heartbreaking to see your fish in pain. I wish you and Einstein the best of luck. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing your story.
thanks leighton for sharing your story my fantail ( squirt ) is currently sharing the same problem i will get to it right away considering that my other methods are not working
i am so happy for einstein your design is so cleaver she is very lucky hope u keep up the good work and good luck einstein !
but the problem will persist if you will not treat SBD.