Please: Gold Fish Advice

[blackswan]

Hey guys, i have a Gold fish that i have had for years. Gold as in yeah he/she is Gold with a tad of white, he/she was my very first fish, and over the 3 years he has had many friends that have came said hello to him then died, well basically 9 have died but my first fish just keeps living on.

his name is: Sup Fish lol.

well anyway, im wondering if i would be able to get any help and advice please.

my Fish is sitting on the bottom of the tank, well he usually does when he gets tied, but this time its different.
he is flat on the bottom, he tries to swim up which he can but then he hits the bottom of the tanks very quick,
its almost like his body has became heavy, full of water or something. is it possible for fish to drink water or
fill up with water and sink.
he shows no signs of discolor or swimming strange, he swims normal for about 5 to 10 seconds then flops back
to the bottom.
usually when he sleeps he's at the bottom in his little log hide-out kinda floating but sleeping/resting.
this time his landing anywhere, when i feed him he swims around and get a bit of food but then again hits the bottom
like his full of water.
i cant think of anything else apart from this body full of water issue as he completely looks normal and swims normal.
i must say his tank was dirty when i went away, i got home today and seen him doing this so it must have started over the last 3 days. i freaked out and changed his water, added the usually, his salt and those water drops things to take most chlorine out of the water.
the tank is about 5 to 6 liters with a flat tea spoon of salt and the water is Cristal clear as per normal.

temperature is fine, i dont no the temp, its spring here, plus i have been doing this routine for at least 2 out of 3 years, well the last 2 years i started adding the salt, thats the only difference. i clean the tank when it get muggy thats it.

3 years of this so i must be doing something right yeah? im really fussy cleaning his tank to,
i make sure i stay clear of soap, chemicals, EVERYTHING..and if i think the cloth i use for the filter pipes
may have a tiny bit of soap i will rinse and rinse the small pipes and test small them for a clear small.

i must say before i cleaned the tanks it wasnt to dirty, i could see him clear as day.

sorry for the so long thread, just covering questions that come at me.

well does anyone agree to the full of water making my fish sink?
can he drown?
the tank has a tiny filter that continues dribbling water in the tank to create oxygen .

as i said he looks 100% fine, no change in color, no spots, nothing for the last 3 years,
my tank has had no changes in the last 6 months, apart from cleaning the tank.
after i clean the tank he loves it lol, swims around enjoying the fresh clean water.


thanks.
cheers.

 

[aly_starh]

You say your tank is only 6 or so litres, this is no way near the right size a goldfish is supposed to live in, they need 10x that size, 60l minimum (per goldfish).

I'm guessing you have no external filter, and have been doing water changes of 100% each time when 'cleaning'. This is damaging his health. A "tiny filter" is equal to nothing for a goldfish tank.
Also, why do you add salt?

TBH, i think this is the end of the road for your fish, it has stunted his growth big time, i'm suprised it even survived over 3 years!

~betta_246

 

[blackswan]

mate!

his a small gold fish, 5 to 6 litre tank is fine.
the salt is a water conditioner for gold fish.
i only add a flat tea spoon.

dont make me look like i didnt care for my fish when i do.

i take notice of every little change he does, the way he swims, acts everything.
i just sit there watching him swim for 10 minutes a day.
i used to watch him help out a sick fish, nudging the sick fish,
basically helping the sick up when it was down.
i no every little thing about my fish, dont make my out to be a killer.

maybe i should have just made my thread short and asked:

to anyone else please: is it possible for fish to drink water or
fill up with water and sink.

thanks.

 

[Kizz]

No-one is saying you don't care for your fish . If you didn't you wouldn't be posting here to find out what is wrong . But the above poster is correct in saying that a 6Litre tank is WAY to small for a goldfish .The only reason he's stayed small is due to the fact that he's stunted in growth. If you don't believe then go to google and type in "Minimum Tank Requirements For Goldfish" I do believe it's the region of 30 Gallon's plus.

From what your describing it sound's like swim bladder. I have no experience with this so i'll wait for someone more experienced to come along

Good Luck!

 

[MBOU]

*sits rocking with head in hands*

 

[aly_starh]

mate!

his a small gold fish, 5 to 6 litre tank is fine.
the reason he is small, is because he is stunted as i said in the first post, and no 6l is not fine, even if he was just a baby goldfish

the salt is a water conditioner for gold fish.
i only add a flat tea spoon.

dont make me look like i didnt care for my fish when i do.
never said you didnt care about your fish, you wanted help, and i gave my advice

i take notice of every little change he does, the way he swims, acts everything.
i just sit there watching him swim for 10 minutes a day.
i used to watch him help out a sick fish, nudging the sick fish,
basically helping the sick up when it was down.
i no every little thing about my fish, dont make my out to be a killer.
we all love our fish!

maybe i should have just made my thread short and asked:

to anyone else please: is it possible for fish to drink water or
fill up with water and sink.
Yes, fish do drink water, they absorb it through there gills.
thanks.

 

[blackswan]

No-one is saying you don't care for your fish . If you didn't you wouldn't be posting here to find out what is wrong . But the above poster is correct in saying that a 6Litre tank is WAY to small for a goldfish .The only reason he's stayed small is due to the fact that he's stunted in growth. If you don't believe then go to google and type in "Minimum Tank Requirements For Goldfish" I do believe it's the region of 30 Gallon's plus.

From what your describing it sound's like swim bladder. I have no experience with this so i'll wait for someone more experienced to come along

Good Luck!

Hi Kizz, thanks so much for your reply. I just wanted some info about the sinking part so thanks heaps.
my fish yes is a slow grower, his grown heaps since i got him, but d@mn the tank makers for making
gold fish tanks only 6 Litre, over the years no pet stores never said any different to me.
the day i ask about the salt they asked how many litre tank and i said and they said it was fine.
Dr.Harry even said feed your fish a few flakes morning and night to keep the tank clean and that works,
on the tv show the tank was about the same size as mine, sux yeah, how was i meant to know.
i guess everyone had to learn by there mistakes true? my tank came with the lights filter and everything,
why they make the wrong tanks, at the shop it says for gold fish, there were even smallers ones than mine.
what is Australian gold fish different than over sea's lol.
they say dont feed them to much to keep them from growing so fast, i thought my tank was pretty good
for a starter kit till my fish grow a bit more. god i have even seen 2 litre tanks here. its good that you
guys told me but my fish has sooo much room to swim, its the way the tank is made, mmmm.
i'll see what fish and feathers say in the morning about the size and the fish bladder problem.
again thanks very much.

chers.

*sits rocking with head in hands*

lol idiot

 

[Kizz]

To be honest most pet shops/stores have no idea what they're on about . i bet you anything you go down there tomorrow and they will tell you that the tank size is perfect for your little fish and you'll leave with a bag full of med's which you prob won't even need . Pet shop's are only there for one thing to sell /to make money. There has been many instances on here where people were advised to keep red tailed black sharks in with run of the mill community fish they come on here and find out that these fish can be very aggresive and territorial and they do grow rather large

Have a wee look HERE basically say's everything that will contradict your LFS .Also have a read through THIS

One thing i would strongly advise is to get larger tank or even rehome him to someone who has a pond if you manage to fix the problems with him .

Do you buy any chance have a test kit for your water parameter's? If not take a sample to your LFS get them to test it and ask them to write them down and post them back here

 

[MBOU]

You think i'm the idiot?

Im more worried about the idiots that go out and buy goldifsh or any fish without doing some simple research first.

Im more worried about people who keep goldfish (or any fish) with the correct information in the most apalling conditions (eg a 6L 'tank')

Im more worried about people who know nothing about keeping fish, come here to get advise and then decide that they know better and leave the forum and leave us thinking about the poor poor fish thats going to live out the rest of its (unnaturally) short life in horrible conditions.

And you know what? Its just disgusting that people get away with keeping fish in such cramped conditions, you wouldnt get away with keeping a cat in a cardboard box! Or a child in a crate!! People do though and I see it as the same thing.

Working where I do, its unbearable when people like the OP come in and tell ME that keeping goldfish in disgusting conditions is just fine.

They are only fish after all!!

Its people who have no respect for animals who are the idiots!

_________________________________


That said, dont take that completely personally, its the shops fault too, its just incredibly frustrating when people buy fish without doing research FIRST, and by first i mean... online and books and forums, not just asking one person at a fish shop.

There is an awful lot of information around online and i do hope it comes in usefull to you!

Have you never seen an adult goldfish? They get so so big! We have two in the shop called Sharkey and George so i can show customers how big they get! They are both about 30 - 35cm long and both are 6-7 years old, considering they can live to be in their 30s...

Most shops, despite what some people think... do actually care! Maidenhead Aquatics dont sell bowls, we dont sell tanks less than 14L, we dont sell fish to anything smaller than 14L and whilst its not one of the 'rules', we (with very few acceptions) dont sell goldfish to anything smaller than 35L tank and bigger for common goldfish.

 

[divegirl]

You think i'm the idiot?

Im more worried about the idiots that go out and buy goldifsh or any fish without doing some simple research first.

Im more worried about people who keep goldfish (or any fish) with the correct information in the most apalling conditions (eg a 6L 'tank')

Im more worried about people who know nothing about keeping fish, come here to get advise and then decide that they know better and leave the forum and leave us thinking about the poor poor fish thats going to live out the rest of its (unnaturally) short life in horrible conditions.

And you know what? Its just disgusting that people get away with keeping fish in such cramped conditions, you wouldnt get away with keeping a cat in a cardboard box! Or a child in a crate!! People do though and I see it as the same thing.

Working where I do, its unbearable when people like the OP come in and tell ME that keeping goldfish in disgusting conditions is just fine.

They are only fish after all!!

Its people who have no respect for animals who are the idiots!

_________________________________


That said, dont take that completely personally, its the shops fault too, its just incredibly frustrating when people buy fish without doing research FIRST, and by first i mean... online and books and forums, not just asking one person at a fish shop.

There is an awful lot of information around online and i do hope it comes in usefull to you!

Have you never seen an adult goldfish? They get so so big! We have two in the shop called Sharkey and George so i can show customers how big they get! They are both about 30 - 35cm long and both are 6-7 years old, considering they can live to be in their 30s...

Most shops, despite what some people think... do actually care! Maidenhead Aquatics dont sell bowls, we dont sell tanks less than 14L, we dont sell fish to anything smaller than 14L and whilst its not one of the 'rules', we (with very few acceptions) dont sell goldfish to anything smaller than 35L tank and bigger for common goldfish.

Well said!!!!

Lisa x

 

[blackswan]

To be honest most pet shops/stores have no idea what they're on about . i bet you anything you go down there tomorrow and they will tell you that the tank size is perfect for your little fish and you'll leave with a bag full of med's which you prob won't even need . Pet shop's are only there for one thing to sell /to make money. There has been many instances on here where people were advised to keep red tailed black sharks in with run of the mill community fish they come on here and find out that these fish can be very aggresive and territorial and they do grow rather large

Have a wee look HERE basically say's everything that will contradict your LFS .Also have a read through THIS

One thing i would strongly advise is to get larger tank or even rehome him to someone who has a pond if you manage to fix the problems with him .

Do you buy any chance have a test kit for your water parameter's? If not take a sample to your LFS get them to test it and ask them to write them down and post them back here

thanks kizz

You think i'm the idiot?

Im more worried about the idiots that go out and buy goldifsh or any fish without doing some simple research first.

Im more worried about people who keep goldfish (or any fish) with the correct information in the most apalling conditions (eg a 6L 'tank')

Im more worried about people who know nothing about keeping fish, come here to get advise and then decide that they know better and leave the forum and leave us thinking about the poor poor fish thats going to live out the rest of its (unnaturally) short life in horrible conditions.

And you know what? Its just disgusting that people get away with keeping fish in such cramped conditions, you wouldnt get away with keeping a cat in a cardboard box! Or a child in a crate!! People do though and I see it as the same thing.

Working where I do, its unbearable when people like the OP come in and tell ME that keeping goldfish in disgusting conditions is just fine.

They are only fish after all!!

Its people who have no respect for animals who are the idiots!

_________________________________


That said, dont take that completely personally, its the shops fault too, its just incredibly frustrating when people buy fish without doing research FIRST, and by first i mean... online and books and forums, not just asking one person at a fish shop.

There is an awful lot of information around online and i do hope it comes in usefull to you!

Have you never seen an adult goldfish? They get so so big! We have two in the shop called Sharkey and George so i can show customers how big they get! They are both about 30 - 35cm long and both are 6-7 years old, considering they can live to be in their 30s...

Most shops, despite what some people think... do actually care! Maidenhead Aquatics dont sell bowls, we dont sell tanks less than 14L, we dont sell fish to anything smaller than 14L and whilst its not one of the 'rules', we (with very few acceptions) dont sell goldfish to anything smaller than 35L tank and bigger for common goldfish.

wow it talks after all, lot better to understand than:

*sits rocking with head in hands*

bloody goof.
anyway, my fish is looking in form this morning.
but im off to get some advice from a different pet shop.

thanks.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

When I first got my fish I had them in a small tank, and then I got them a bigger one, and a bigger one and now I've just bought them a bigger tank although it will take them a long time to fill it again. I've been around a lot of fish shops these last few weeks and I can't believe they'll sell some of the tanks to people, and then when they come back say "no it's too small". They even sell one tank where you can barely get in the top; I mean how do you get the fish out - it's ok putting it in when small; how to you clean it? ARGH. There should be a ban on certain tanks. It should say on the box...Suitable for X, Y and Z, or say not suitable for A, B and C. That way if they put it in big obvious signs people will know.

I know this is unrelated but it's not the people who don't do research's faults; it's the people who sell them. I bought a newt recently; I'd saw them, noted their name and did LOADS of research and for the finer points I joined this forum. The woman in front of me when I bought my newt; didn't even know what newts were, didn't have a tank set up, didn't know what they are - me and my boyfriend stood there for ages with her telling her what to do - all her snide comments were "seems like you know a lot about them" - my boyfriend kindly put that "we'd actually done research before buying them". It's not like she was a kid either; she was a grown woman with a teenage son, when me and my boyfriend are in our early 20's at least we had the common sense to research what we were doing. I even visited various shops and asked them their advice on the newts.

 

[pippoodle]

please get a larger tank for the goldfish hun - did you keep adding the others into the small tank
not your fault but now you know it would be far better to get the goldfish a nice large tank - 125 litres would be fine for 1 goldfish (ONLY)- you could even get some white cloud minnows to go in with him and a couple of hill stream loaches

you need lots of filtering aswell - at least 10 times filtering more would be better to keep the tank perfect so a filter of 1200 lph at least

also you need a liquid test kit to keep an eye on ammonia,nitrite and nitrate levels

If you cant enlarge the tank he's in then you need to rehome the fish - to someone or somewhere that can give him the right care

IGNORANCE (partly your fault mainly fault of the LFS) was why he was kept in a small tank - now you know there is no excuse so please please either rehome or upgrade

A 6 LITRE tank is not suitable for any fish long term