new fish tank, old fish...

[ukflipside]

Hi,
I have two fantails in a 10gal tank, time to go bigger again, the last size change was from a 'goldfish bowl' to their current home, now the time has come to go bigger, the problem is one of them has been a bit poorly, acts as if he's got swimbladder but it only happens after he has eaten (fed every 2-3 days) and only lasts upto 24hrs, after he has eaten he will go to the top and suck up the bubbles, I can see them coming out of his gills, other than that they are happy and spend most nights watching us watching the TV. I've had them about 4 years now and I have come quite attached to 'Kenny & Eric' (southpark, one fat greedy one and kenny is orange and quiet)
So new tank, completly new set up? or should I use the existing tank water?

[pinballqueen]

For starters, all fish have swimbladders. Not all fish have swim bladder DISORDERS, though.

However, that is most likely not what is wrong with your fish. Fancy goldfish are prone to getting bloat from eating too fast, with food that gives them gas. Dry flake food seems to be the worst for causing problems, but there is a very simple solution: pre-moisten the food before putting it in the tank. (I'm assuming that them eating dry fish food would be akin to one of us eating dry rolled oats, they swell upon contact with the stomach, causing painful gas and bloating)

To answer your other question, the tank water doesn't make a whole lot of difference. What you need to do to establish a new tank is add all of the decorations and filter media to the new tank. Since this is an upgrade, rather than a fully new tank, you should be able to move the fish and all their belongings into a new home without disturbing your beneficial bacterial colonies too much. Incidentally, how big are you going with the new tank? I would recommend at least 30-50 gallons (the smaller number is only for a nonheated tank in a cold room, because the warmer the water is, the more toxic ammonia becomes. Goldfish are messy fish that put off lots of ammonia, and therefore colder temps are easier to keep them in...)

[ukflipside]

Thanks,
Sounds about right, I went to flake food as the local supermaket sells it!! going to get 40Gal tank on Monday and floating pellets as before!

Congrats to your new addition to your family

Flip :O)

[avoxo]

Hi ukflipside, I agree with PBQ, but switching to floating pellets will have the same affect as the flakes, I would pre-soak everything that you feed them. You could also try to feed some frozen raw peas that have been microwaved for about 10-20 seconds, hulled and split. The peas will help them with their digestion.

Also some goldfish will gasp at the surface after feeding to help push the food through their digestive tract. I would try smaller feedings.

Avoxo

[val]

ukflip, to Aquaria Central, home of the most golden fishkeepers on the internet:)

Underfeeding is good, better than over feeding, but maybe you should go to more, smaller feeds than one every 2-3 days. GF are herbivores, and like all herbivores, they typically would graze in the wild. It is the carnivores that eat big meals and gorge out. I don't pre-soak my pellets, but try going with only a couple of pellets two-three times a day. That may help some...

Val

[watergardens]

If you don't mind yet another recommendation, try to find some sinking pellets. HGH makes a sinking pellet food, and OSI has a shrimp pellet food that would likely be fine for them. Shrimp pellets usually have the same amount of protein as goldfish foods.

I've never had to soak sinking pellets to prevent the floats.

Hope that helps. :)

[BigFishDude]

yet another suggestion, is to take a pinch of flakes and submerge them in the water and then let go. They will sink and the goldies will gulp them down before they hit the bottom no probelm :).

[thom336]

Hate to contradict what has been said (honestly, I do!)...but the problem is most likely more simple - the fish is taking in air at the surface when it feeds. The solution is the same: holding the flakes underwater for afew seconds before releasing them. Just thought I'd mention that.

Also, PBQ, not all fish have swimbladders - certain catfish do not as they do not require them.

And finally my applause goes to ukflipside for realising the needs of his fish and getting a bigger tank - dont make the fatal mistake now of adding more fish. :)

Thom.

[BigFishDude]

isn't that what I said ?? :confused:

[thom336]

Yea, sorry, but what I was contradicting was the reasoning - the fish taking in air - I agreed fully with your methods of treating.