1 goldie acting strange

[fishface76]

I have a 46 gal that has been set up for 5 days now. Upon the reccomendations of the shop i am doing a fish cycle(6 small goldfish). Starting to regret it already.

When I set every thign up i used 5 ml stress coat per 10 gal of water as the bottle suggested. Everythign has been fine until i got home tonight. All the fish are very lively except for one. It's staying in the top rear corner of the tank at the surface and moving very slowly.

I just changed out 20% of the water and added another 10 ml of stress coat. Upon closer inspection while doing w/c I noticed his fins were back and not perky like the rest.

Help me out here. I don't want the poor little guy to suffer. Did I change enough water? Enough stress coat? I haven't had my water checked in a few days and don't have a home kit. The last time it came back high in amonia, but was told that was part of the cycling process. I will get water checked again tomorrow, and buy a kit this weekend.

Is there anything else I should be doing tonight?

Thanks.

[karazy]

basicaly i say any fish that goes through a cycle suffers

[emc7]

All fish suffer from ammonia (and later) poisoning, changing enough water to keep the toxins in the "safe range" can slow the cycle, so pet stores tell you not to. They don't care if you kill the goldfish, they sell them as fish food anyway.
Change enough water, frequently enough to keep the toxins down to the safe level, or return the fish and do a "fishless cycle" or do what they told you and get to watch the fish suffer the effects of poisoning (burnt gills, trouble breathing, eroded fins, death)

[Clerk]

Could be a couple of things. Ammonia toxicity, if they are feeder goldfish they are not healthy to begin with. Generally you should not cycle a tank with goldfish anyway.. much less needing 6. What do you plan to do with them afterwards? Very few shops will take back goldies. What temperature are you keeping the tank at? Goldfish are coolwater fish, when you got them they were most likely kept at room temp, that can be anywhere between 60-70 degrees, and if you added them very quickly that would stress any fish.


Basically since your using them to cycle its playing havoc with their insides most likely.

[Clerk]

Originally Posted by emc7

They don't care if you kill the goldfish, they sell them as fish food anyway.

That is a vast generalization, which is true in MANY cases, but I don't appriciate being lumped into the like. and in my area there are many good LFS that will not send any fish home to anyone... well depending on the employee.

[fishface76]

The tank is at just under 70 deg. As far as after the cycling. I was either going to return them, or give them to my daughter.

the sad truth is the store I bought the tank at told me to get 6-12 fish. I started with 3 and after going to a fish only store, they told me to add 3 more. The one I spoke of is now swimming about and appears fine. I guess time will tell. other than that, they all look healthy?

[emc7]

Hope your daughter has a pond.

[Clerk]

These fish get very large 12+ inches (per fish), merely giving them to your daughter to die is not any better. Chances are the fish store will have no interest in taking them back.

[fishface76]

Originally Posted by Clerk

These fish get very large 12+ inches (per fish), merely giving them to your daughter to die is not any better. Chances are the fish store will have no interest in taking them back.

I know I had one when i was a kid that grew to about 10 inches. Named him jaws. Loved that fish.

Anyway, what do you suggest i do with them then? I guess I could put an add on Craigslist?

[emc7]

Chances are the fish store will have no interest in taking them back.

You don't know until you try. After all, they do want you to buy more fish from them.

My little sister had a goldfish she love from 1" to 5" (about a year), then it went into a friend's pond. 6 are lot to house even when they are small.

[fishface76]

So should I try to bring 3 back?


The one little guy seemed to be moving real slow again this morning. Should I do another water change? If so how much? I did 20% yesterday and added Stress Coat.

[emc7]

If they move slow just at lights on, they could be sleeping. I would call and ask them if they will take 5 back. 1 is enough to cycle a tank and please your daughter. Test the water and change enough to make it "safe". For example, if your ammonia is 2 and safe is .5, then change 75% (2*.25=.5).

[fishface76]

Ok. SO I brought all the goldfish back. I am now going to do a fishless cycle. I bought some live bacteria that will help get my cycle going.

I also picked up some additional base rock. Some smaller peices to go with the large one I have and have a nice little rock pile going. Also picked up some more fake plants.

The tank looks great and I can't wait for my cycle to finish so I can start adding some fish. I tried to buy a test kit at both store I went to today and they were both out. I'll try again next week.

It sucks when you don't know better and you get bad information, especially from a LFS. The 2nd place I went to today to get the rock even said they get all their tanks going with fish. Goldfish even. "They're dirty. They get the job done quick".

Anyway, thank you to all who have helped me thus far. I will let you all know as soon as I know exactly what I will be stocking. Prolly some tetras, another school, and a couple mid size fish(3-4"). I'll post some pics when I'm done as well.

[FishHead]

you can't always trust a fish store. I learned that when I first started. A reputable store sold me a comet,shubunkin, and ryunkin, saying they would be fine in a 30 gal tank. Boy was he wrong.....

[pullins125]

Fish Head is right about the fish store. my girlfriend works at petsmart and all they they ever told her is go by the informaion on the picture. most places dont really train their associates correctly. i made the same mistakes before she started and let me know how much they really knew. what i wood do is go see what you like then come home and research it before you buy me. the best sight i know is http://elmersaquarium.com/000tropfishcareguides.htm they give compatiblity size and hardiness. i really suggest you go look at this sight.