help goldfish lovers!

M

masons_mama

AC Members
Jun 3, 2008
6
0
0
Hi,
I'm new to AC and just got a tip to post here. Here is my problem, thanks for your help!
I just killed 3 fish I have had for 8 years!! I feel awful and need help in keeping a new fish alive. I also lost 1 more new guy. I figured I was pretty good with keeping my goldfish alive since I had for so long, but my new tank really threw things off. My fish were just feeder goldfish that managed to live with me for so long. My new tank is a 25 gal and I have recently moved so the water is well instead of city. The fish all started to look pretty bad (3 old fish and 2 newer goldfish) Some had white spots, some had red gills, one had stringy fins and all were sluggish. After a treatment of myracin and myracin 2 I changed the water and added coppersafe. My last old fish just died, now I have 1 newer fancy tail hanging on. I got a new filter with a biowheel and was given a packet of biospira to add to it. When I read the package it said it was for saltwater, but the guy who sold it to me read it. Was he just a dummy or is it safe to add to my freshwater tank? One of the ingredients is salt water. My ammonia and nitrates are high. Any other suggestions to save my last surviving fish?? Thanks!
 
Hello! I love goldfish. The disease was probably brought on by stress, as an adult feeder goldfish requires 75 gallons of space due to the fact that they grow up to a foot long. A huge amount of filtration and weekly water changes are required. They can live for more than 20 years. Ammonia and nitrite are very toxic to fish, also. Biospira is only affective if refrigerated, however, adding it may help, though if the package says saltwater only a different type of bacteria occurs in freshwater.

So what you want to do:
1)ID your fancy. If it is a large one, you'll need a larger tank. If it is not the tank you have is fine.
2)Do water changes until your water is ammonia and nitrite free. You will need to do this whenever you see either rising above .25. Use prime water conditioner and overdose a lil' bit.
3)Get more filtration. I know it sounds crazy, but those are crazy messy fish.
4)Get IDs on what is wrong with the fish. Medication is stressful and if the wrong medication is used it actually worsens the stress and disease. Post up a picture. One of the best medications is very clean water. (0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10 or less nitrates)

Good luck!
 
Thanks, so I have never gotten this serious before about my fish obviously! My 3 old fish were about 4-6" long. My fancy tail is a little guy. I can take my water to the pet store and they will test it for me, but would it be best to get a test kit at home? Is there one you recommend. I really don't want a bigger tank, do you think I overcrowded it? How many goldfish would you put in a 25 gal size tank? I just did a 50% water change. How often do you recommend water changes? I'll call the pet store tomorrow and see if they have a biospira for fresh water. Is there anything special I should use with my well water? I have a machine thing that removes the iron.
Thanks!
 
It is best to get a test kit at home. Don't use test strips, they are garbage. The API master is the best bang for the buck. I would put no goldfish in a 25 gallon:/, the least would be a 30, with weekly water changes. However, you can keep in there until he hits about 4''. As long as you're using dechlorinator you should be fine unless it is excessively hard (do you know your PH?)
 
BTW.. The fish I have left looks fine, he doesn't have white spots or red gills (but he a really orange fish). He is breathing slower and spending most of his day on the bottom of the tank.
I just added the penguin 150 power filter with bio-wheel tonight. I have also been adding "stress coat +" with my water changes.
 
Goldfish are really heavy feeders and eaters, who put significant stress on your biofiltration. I would suggest picking up an API freshwater master test kit, and reading up on cycling aquariums, as well as the condition known as stunting. I believe that your disease issues may have been caused by the introduction of new fish in conjunction with the moving stress and gross overcrowding. If you don't want to purchase a larger tank, then it'd be best to set your heart on some other kind of fish, as any properly cared for goldfish will easily outgrow a 25 gallon tank, or at least get big enough where living in one will be highly uncomfortable. If you provide weekly water changes for your one remaining fish, it'll probably be fine in your tank for up to a year, but provided proper conditions, even it will eventually outgrow your tank.
 
I feel terrible! I can't believe I killed those good old fish. They lived with me in college in a pop corn bowl for a while before I got them there first 1 gal tank! I really don't want a bigger tank, 25 gal is enough for me. Are there any fish you recommend for a smaller tank? Hopefully this guy can hold on, but once I get my tank in line I would like some more fish. Maybe some that are a little lower maintenance. I have a toddler and am 6 months pregnant--not too much time in the future to clean fish tanks:) Thanks for your help!
 
Don't worry, there are plenty of fish you can keep in a 30 gal and with understocking you can go longer without a water change. You will need to get rid of the goldfish, though. Maybe rant at the store people a little while when you take it back.

Many people have this as their introduction to the hobby and it is usually their local fishstore's fault.
 
If you want low maintenance, I'd suggest starting out with guppies or platies, and just letting them populate the tank over time. Light feeding and water changes every couple weeks would be pretty good for a such a light stocking, and if there get to be too many fish, you could add something like a small bumblebee cat or a school of tetras to take care of excess fry.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom