Fish/aquarium help needed asap!!

[wdw_girl_18]

I've had my 2 goldfish for over a year now. They are in a 10 gallon aquarium with a 10 gallon filter.

The past couple of days one of my goldfish has just been sitting on the rocks at the bottom of the tank.

Here's a picture I took:

Should I buy a bigger aquarium? When he does swim it looks like he's having trouble. Maybe he needs more oxygen in the tank? Would a bubbler help? I don't want him to die

 

[crz4mm2]

Do you test your water?
Do you do water changes?

I would test the water.
I kept fish for years. Did 10% water changes every week.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Does it have a disease? I know our fish used to get ICK.

What are your fishtank care procedures? In addition what are the ph, temp, etc?

I don't think a larger tank is necessary for 2 goldfish in a 10gal tank.

 

[wdw_girl_18]

Do you test your water?
Do you do water changes?

I would test the water.
I kept fish for years. Did 10% water changes every week.

Ive never tested the water, but I'm going to try that. I usually add water every every other week because it evaporates, and I'll add a little bit of the water conditioner when I do that.

 

[wdw_girl_18]

Does it have a disease? I know our fish used to get ICK.

What are your fishtank care procedures? In addition what are the ph, temp, etc?

I don't think a larger tank is necessary for 2 goldfish in a 10gal tank.

Nope it doesn't have ICK. The people I used to babysit for had an awful time trying to cure their goldfish from that.

I change their aquarium completely every 4-5 months. I'll add water every other week because it evporates. I'll rinse the filter about once a month. I'm not sure of the temperture (stick on thermometer doesnt seem to be working, it needs a new one) or the ph.

The other goldfish seems to be fine. So I think if there was something wrong with the water he would be effected too? But then again they came from a carnival. I didn't think they were gonna live past the first week. So he probably has some weird disease or something =[

 

[Nomi]

First off, good for you for having them in a tank! Now, 10 gallons is small for two single tailed goldfish (single tailed goldfish need roughly 20 gallons each, which makes sense considering their adult size can be anywhere from 10-15 inches) but for now, with frequent water changes and water testing, you should be ok. I would also suggest a larger filter (or another one of the same type). Since you've had it for over a year it's probably cycled, but it is possible you've had a cycle bump.

How often do you change the water, and how much?

How often do you test the water, and with what sort of test kit?

What are the readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and Ph levels?

What do you feed your goldfish and how often?

Anything unusual on or about the fish (other than the bottom sitting) like red splotches, ragged fins, ect?

Hopefully we can help you and your fish recovers.

 

[crz4mm2]

Wow.
Good for you for having them for a year. Gold fish are generally pretty hardy, but not ones from the carnival.
I would get a test kit. My first thought is the ammonia level is high. you can decrease this with a water change.
Do you use tap water? It can be high in nitrates.....
Good luck.

 

[Nomi]

Nope it doesn't have ICK. The people I used to babysit for had an awful time trying to cure their goldfish from that.

I change their aquarium completely every 4-5 months. I'll add water every other week because it evporates. I'll rinse the filter about once a month. I'm not sure of the temperture (stick on thermometer doesnt seem to be working, it needs a new one) or the ph.

The other goldfish seems to be fine. So I think if there was something wrong with the water he would be effected too? But then again they came from a carnival. I didn't think they were gonna live past the first week. So he probably has some weird disease or something =[

Ok, I think I know what is going on. Water changes should be done every week, changing %20-30 of the water as well as vacuuming the gravel to pick up poo and uneaten food and keep the water quality acceptable. You should avoid changing all the water unless it's absolutely necessary (ex. ammonia spike) and avoid cleaning the filter (That is where all of the good bacteria that keeps the nitrogen cycle going. turning the deadly ammonia and nitrite into the less harmful nitrate). I think you've removed the cycle (accidentally) and the water quality is affecting our goldie (some goldfish are more sensitive than others to the water quality).

I would highly recommend getting a drop test kit for your tank and start testing for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate (and Ph) to monitor the cycle. Here is a great website with a ton of info on cycling and goldfish care: http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/

Hope your goldie gets better.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Is he Preggars?

Mikeeee

 

[kimluvswdw]

I've had my 2 goldfish for over a year now. They are in a 10 gallon aquarium with a 10 gallon filter.

The past couple of days one of my goldfish has just been sitting on the rocks at the bottom of the tank.

Here's a picture I took:

Should I buy a bigger aquarium? When he does swim it looks like he's having trouble. Maybe he needs more oxygen in the tank? Would a bubbler help? I don't want him to die

If you are unsure about the testing of the water, just take some of the water in a bowl to a pet store and they will test it for you. They can tell you exactly how to fix it if the water is not like it should be.

 

[bballmom56]

Wow, I can't believe it. We just went (and are going) through the same thing this weekend! We have two pretty big goldfish (at least 6 years old if not more). They were in a tank we knew was too small, but hadn't gotten around to getting the larger one out.

One fish was absolutely fine. The other one ended up standing on his head, then upside down on the bottom of the tank. I put them in fresh water right away, thinking it would have more oxygen. It didn't really help. DH brought home an aerator which did help him become more active right away, but he was still upside down. He kept struggling to get himself back over. By the next morning he had gotten himself back over and we put them in the bigger tank.

But now he is just sitting in the bottom of the tank. He will all of a sudden swim fast to the top and then dive back down to the bottom and then release a few air bubbles. We are in a quandry why he is doing this.

I also wondered why the other fish wasn't affected, but as Nomi said, I guess some are more sensitive than others.

 

[Christine]

I have had my "carnival" goldfish for 18 months now! During that time, I had another fish act just as yours did. It went on for days and the fish did end up dying. I tried everything but I think it just became sick in some way.

I have these two fish in a 10 gallon tank with filter. I do a 25% water change (with conditioner) once a week. Every few months, I totally empty the tank.

The only problems I've had is algae.

 

[Nomi]

Yeah, carnival goldfish are usually stunted and not taken care of properly in the slightest before being won, and even then most people take them home and plop tem in a bowl . It is great when someone puts them into a filtered tank, but overall it's not a great situation. I would venture a guess that most don't make it anywhere near the average lifespan of an adequately cared for goldfish (roughly 10-20 years).

 

[wdw_girl_18]

I went to petsmart today and bought a 20 gallon aquarium. The fish that isn't sick is having a blast in it. He is so much happier! The sick one is moving around a bit more. I bought a tetra filter that is for 20-30 gallons, and some new live plants to put in there.

I never knew rinsing the filter out was actually bad. I won't be doing that anymore. How often should you change the filter, and put a new one in? The tetra filter system has a feature where it will tell you when to change the filter. Should I follow that?

I am using tap water, but I add a water conditioner that makes the tap water safe for them. I also add the stress coat into their water.

I feed my fish twice a day (Tetrafin goldfish flakes). They are pigs! Everytime I walk by they beg for food. But they only get it in the morning and night. The sick one does not have any weird spots on him, and his fins seem to look fine.

I will start doing a 25% water change weekly now. I am going back to the pet store tomorrow to get the ph (and other chemicals) test and a new thermometer. I completely forgot to get those things. I'll let you guys know what the ph of the water is tomorrow evening.

oh and I sure hope "he" isnt pregnant. I don't know what I would do with more goldfish hahaha. But I was reading the website that was posted on here, and they are constantly chasing each other around....

Thanks soooo much everyone for the great information. I'm really hoping my fishy gets better. I'm going to read over that website tonight

 

[crazee4mickey]

Our kids have had goldfish for years but we were told when we got them not to change their water---only empty about 1/4 to 1/2 out of tank and replace with new water...if you clean the entire tank you are getting rid of their ecosystem/environment. DS's goldfish lived for 5 years.

Now dd had 2 goldfish in the same tank and one goldfish was doing the same thing as what you describe is happening to your fish, laying on the bottom, struggling with swimming when it did move-----not wanting to scare you but we did the more oxygen, bigger tank, etc. and it seemed to help for a bit but unfortunately the little guy died and she had "Goldie" for 2 1/2 years

Good luck with your fish, hope you find what the problem is

 

[Abbie]

We kept goldfish for years and when one would start looking/acting like that I'd add some salt to the water. Plain, uniodized salt. We have a large aquarium store nearby and that is what they suggested. It always helped!

 

[Nomi]

I went to petsmart today and bought a 20 gallon aquarium. The fish that isn't sick is having a blast in it. He is so much happier! The sick one is moving around a bit more. I bought a tetra filter that is for 20-30 gallons, and some new live plants to put in there.

I never knew rinsing the filter out was actually bad. I won't be doing that anymore. How often should you change the filter, and put a new one in? The tetra filter system has a feature where it will tell you when to change the filter. Should I follow that?

I am using tap water, but I add a water conditioner that makes the tap water safe for them. I also add the stress coat into their water.

I feed my fish twice a day (Tetrafin goldfish flakes). They are pigs! Everytime I walk by they beg for food. But they only get it in the morning and night. The sick one does not have any weird spots on him, and his fins seem to look fine.

I will start doing a 25% water change weekly now. I am going back to the pet store tomorrow to get the ph (and other chemicals) test and a new thermometer. I completely forgot to get those things. I'll let you guys know what the ph of the water is tomorrow evening.

oh and I sure hope "he" isnt pregnant. I don't know what I would do with more goldfish hahaha. But I was reading the website that was posted on here, and they are constantly chasing each other around....

Thanks soooo much everyone for the great information. I'm really hoping my fishy gets better. I'm going to read over that website tonight

It sounds like you are doing everything great! For the filter, it depends on the type of filter. For mine, I change the filter sponge thing, but I leave the bio-wheel (where the bacteria are). I would play it safe and follow the instructions that come with the filter.

It's good your fish still have a good appetite, and Abbie is absolutely right about the aquarium salt, that stuff can work wonders!

Hope all goes well!

 

[wdw_girl_18]

Just wanted to update everyone!

The day after I moved them into the 20 gallon aquarium, and added the stress coat, my sick fish was completely back to normal

thanks so much everyone!!!!

 

[crz4mm2]

Just wanted to update everyone!

The day after I moved them into the 20 gallon aquarium, and added the stress coat, my sick fish was completely back to normal

thanks so much everyone!!!!

Well that's good news Congrats!