View Full Version : Goldfish at glass, constant.
Gespinoza
03-30-2007, 9:13 PM
Well I have had this tank about a week and I have two goldsfish. One just follows the other one everyhere. Anyways I am not familiar with their behavior but it is constantly just swimming around the edges of the tank, you know like looking outwards with its mouth towards the glass. Is this a normal thing?
Mine go to the glass where any of us are standing and looking in. They are very social, kind of like the puppies of the fish world.
If they seem to be looking for an escape route, check your water parameters. They need a lot of water changed out and good filtration.
Have you checked water for ammonia?
What size tank is it?
Sammie7
03-30-2007, 9:18 PM
Fish usually do that when they are bored. What kind of goldfish are they and what is the tank size?
Gespinoza
03-30-2007, 9:20 PM
10 gallon, yea i tested it but i could not understand the kit. It said to test for PH then get the temp of the tank, I do not have a thermometer so I couldnt get the temp. Then read the chart, i did not understand it at all. It is The Fresh Lab Deluxe by red sea.
Gespinoza
03-30-2007, 9:24 PM
Oranda and a Fantail
Do you have a test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite?
Have you changed any of the water in the week that they have been in there? If not, they are due. I have two small goldies in a 20 gal cycled tank, and I change almost half of the water two-three times a week while doing a gravel vac. They are very messy fish.
Gespinoza
03-30-2007, 9:29 PM
No I have not, should I do that now? Yea It test ammonnia, nitrate and nitrite. Its just confusing to me.
You should probably sit down with the directions and sort out how to test the different water parameters.
In the mean time, all you can do is assume the water needs to be changed. In fact, two goldies in a 10 gallon for a week would almost certainly show some ammonia. Do you have a gravel vac to change water? You will have to have one to take care of them properly. I just use a bucket and an inexpensive gravel vac from Petsmart. They need fresh water treated with a good water conditioner to live. I use Prime.
Teddy Ray
03-30-2007, 9:42 PM
Gespinoza, are you planning on getting a bigger tank really soon? How big are the fish now? http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_goldf.php
Goldfish get pretty big, even the fancy varieties, and they all make a lot of mess and ammonia. They need large tanks to be happy and so that the ammonia and nitrates don't rise so much as to kill them within a short period of time.
Go do a water change right now. How long have they been in the tank? If they have been there for a while only change about 25% of the water now and then another 25% later today if you can. Changing the water too much too quickly could shock them, because they are used to the high levels of ammonia. Though the high levels of ammonia are not good for them, they have adapted to it as a survival method and if you change the water too fast, with water that is vastly different from the tank water(less ammonia) they could go into shock. This is called old tank syndrome. Change the water tomorrow again about another 25% until the ammonia readings go down.
Was this tank cycled? I'm guessing not, since if you knew better they wouldn't be in there in the first place. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598 That should explain what you need to know.
Gespinoza
03-30-2007, 9:43 PM
Tommorow I am going to go get a gravel vac and some other supplies. I have the Tetra water conditioner. In the meantime can I change the water right now without the vac?
Teddy Ray
03-30-2007, 9:50 PM
Yes, you can change it without the vac. Is it possible for you to take the fish back where you got them? They really aren't suitable for that tank. Are you planning on upgrading to a 30 gallon or more?
musho3210
03-30-2007, 9:51 PM
its ok to change the water without a vac for now
I suppose you could change a little with some container that's never seen soap. Maybe a freezer bag to remove and dump?
You will need to get set up for them. Once it becomes routine, it isn't time consuming. We have multiple tanks at this point, and water changes still aren't that big of a deal.
Take your test kit to where you bought it and ask them to go over the instructions with you. Testing and water changes will be needed. Eventually, they will outgrow that tank, as Teddy Ray said above. For now, you have to really take care of the water.
daniellehaagen
03-30-2007, 11:42 PM
Is your testing kit the liquid kind or the strips? From my experience the strips are pretty much useless. If you have the liquid testing kit it's pretty easy to understand. The water in the tube will turn a certain color and you can compare it to the examples they give you to look at. Good luck with your goldies!