i think my goldfish is dying

[lucero nieves]

Hi i’m new and i had a quick question, i got these two fish from the fair a month ago and one is doing okay but the other one (names buddy) isn’t. i’m not completely sure but i think he got ammonia poisoning (he has black fins and was struggling to swim) and he was laying on his side a week ago. since then i’ve been checking the ammonia levels, and i got him his own 5 gallon tank yesterday with a couple of plants. he seemed to be doing so much better he was swimming ok, still hasn’t eaten i’m guessing because he is in recovery. but i come back from work today and he is sinking to the bottom of the tank on his side and his tail seemed like it was ripped. i was guessing it was from the fake plants and the filter since he is a tiny goldfish. so i took the plants out and then i also noticed he was like spinning while swimming which i thought was also unusual. i’ve been monitoring him and i ended up turning off the filter because he kept getting stuck and i didn’t want him to get hurt, i contacted a vet earlier and they didn’t respond. as of now he is swimming around for a little bit then sinks to the bottom on his side. what do i do?


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[PheonixKingZ]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

May I please see a picture of said fish? How long has your tank been setup? What are your water parameters? How big is your tank?

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[Colin_T]

just do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for a couple of weeks. make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

 

[FishGuest5123]

just do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for a couple of weeks. make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

I agree with Colin. Clean water is the most important. Daily water changes will keep the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrate down. Single tail goldfish grow to well over a foot long. They are really pond fish. If kept in an aquarium they need at least 100 gallons per fish. They are fine for now until they begin to grow. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[lucero nieves]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

May I please see a picture of said fish? How long has your tank been setup? What are your water parameters? How big is your tank?

(Please consider entering the August TOTM contest!)

my tank has been setup for almost 2 days now, i followed all the instructions on setting up the tank (i also used arrowhead spring water to fill the tank and used the right amount of aqua safe that came with the tank kit- i thought this would be work mentioning since i was told this kind of water is good for goldfish). i also have only been able to test the ammonia levels which only told me that the water was ‘ideal’. the tank is 5 gallon tank that is 18 x 10.25 x 12.37 inches

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[lucero nieves]

just do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for a couple of weeks. make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

and what about the filter? should i be keeping it on or should i turn it off if he keeps getting stuck under?


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[PheonixKingZ]

Keep the filter running, as thy said, clean water is one of the most important things in an aquarium.

 

[FishGuest5123]

I would leave it on. You can slide a piece of panty hose over the bottom of it to keep him from getting stuck. Fair fish are very mistreated by carnival workers and end up in bad shape sometimes. I’m afraid he also has fin rot. Keep the tank clean daily and add some aquarium salt ( not table salt). You can get it at pet shop. For 5 gallons you use 1 tablespoon. After the first dose, add 3/4 tablespoon daily after you do a 75% water change. Do this for 2 weeks and see how he does. Keep us posted.

 

[lucero nieves]

ok thank you everyone!


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[PheonixKingZ]

That is what I do to my filters. I just use a small piece of panty hose.

 

[lucero nieves]

i was far too late, i went to go put a piece of panty hose to cover the filter and my fish was laying sideways on the corner of his tank and he wasn’t breathing i’m hoping i can do better for other fish. one last question, if buddy did have fin rot should i just clean the tank completely before switching my other goldfish to the new tank?


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[PheonixKingZ]

I’m sorry for your loss......

Make sure to clean the tank super well. Fin rot in and of itself is not contagious, but it is caused by bad water quality. So make sure you do a 75% water change, and keep your tank clean!

 

[lucero nieves]

I’m sorry for your loss......

Make sure to clean the tank super well. Fin rot in and of itself is not contagious, but it is caused by bad water quality. So make sure you do a 75% water change, and keep your tank clean!

Ok, thank you so much for all the help! i will definitely do that.


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[seangee]

What size tank is your other goldfish in? Keep an eye on the ammonia in that tank too.
As others have said 5 gallons is not nearly big enough for a goldfish but as you have a spare tank it could be a great home for a betta or a group of shrimp.

Unfortunately whatever they say in the fish store 2 days is not enough to get a tank ready for fish. This is a really useful explanation of why, as well as a guide to getting your tank ready http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first. Obviously you never had the time to do all of this as you already had the fish but it will be useful if you do want to use the spare tank.

As @Deanasue says, goldfish get really big very quickly so please don't get another goldfish for this tank.

 

[lucero nieves]

What size tank is your other goldfish in? Keep an eye on the ammonia in that tank too.
As others have said 5 gallons is not nearly big enough for a goldfish but as you have a spare tank it could be a great home for a betta or a group of shrimp.

Unfortunately whatever they say in the fish store 2 days is not enough to get a tank ready for fish. This is a really useful explanation of why, as well as a guide to getting your tank ready http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first. Obviously you never had the time to do all of this as you already had the fish but it will be useful if you do want to use the spare tank.

As @Deanasue says, goldfish get really big very quickly so please don't get another goldfish for this tank.

the other goldfish is in the little tank it came in at the fair, it’s probably less than a gallon to be completely honest,i have been checking the ammonia very closely in that one and change the water 2-3 times a week or as needed. i haven’t been able to buy a new tank till now due to money problems sadly, would it be ok if i moved the other fish (names tiny) into this tank since the one he is in right now is extremely small?


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