Fish behaving odd

[Benny2k1]

in the last few days our fish have been staying at the top of the tank alot, they seem to "glide" in the water goin where the current takes them and only swimming when needed, they are feeding normally and the amonia levels are ok, any suggestions?!

[wijnands]

This is extremely little info. There's good people here but most aren't psychic. Care to tell us a bit more about the whole setup?

[Benny2k1]

This is extremely little info. There's good people here but most aren't psychic. Care to tell us a bit more about the whole setup?

Sorry!

my set up is

35 litre tank
1 oranda
1 fantail
4 white clouds (wich seem to be fine)


Had origional problems and lost a fish due to not knowing how to cycle properly, regular water changes got all the levels down and the fish seemed fine but in the last few days (after we had cleaned the filter media tbh) the oranda and fantail have been staying at the surface of the tank, every five mins they seem to stop moving and "glide" backwards and forwards a word i would use is sluggish i would guess, it might be nothing but it just doesnt seem normal behaviour. they are eating fine and the amonia/nitrate levels are ok.

Thanks in advance

[wijnands]

Hmm... I know next to nothing about these species. Someone will be along though.

[gm72]

You are terribly overstocked! Your tank is not even 10 gallons. Your goldfish need at least 20 gallons for one! You are in for a rough go of it unless you upgrade your tank or change your population. Temperature of the water? NitrITes? Seriously Benny, you are in trouble with your stocking.

[A.J.]

Hi Benny,

Have you looked very carefully for any of the typical signs of common fish diseases?
What's the water temp like?

[Chrona]

I would get your nitrites tested. Do not clean the filter media at all for at least a month. Do not touch the substrate for a month. Feed sparingly, and I mean VERY sparingly lol. Max one small meal per day, skip a day per week. I would agree with gm though in that you have too many fish in there. Even if the tank was cycled, nitrates could build up very easily and the setup will become a PITA to maintain. I would see if you can return the 2 goldfish.

[2manyfish]

Could you please post the actual numbers for your ammonia, nitrites and nitrates?
When was the last time you did a water change?
Like we have discussed before those goldfish cannot stay in such a small tank. Have you thought about upgrading to a bigger tank? Or have you decided to give the goldfish back to the store??
Like I said in your other post, you have a small tank, therefore you need small fish. The white cloud mountain minnows are excellent for your tank, if you were to take the goldies back to the store they will probably trade you even for a few more minnows.

[Lady Hobbs]

Everyone has already mentioned your tank size is unsuitable for a gold fish but not only too small, goldfish are cold water fish. That's why in fish stores, you see goldfish grouped together and warn water grouped together.

Hanging at the top of the tank means they are deprived of oxygen either from the ammonia or nitrites in the tank. You need to do a large water change or they will not live.

[gm72]

Bottom line--react quickly!

[cocoa_pleco]

heck yeah. Youre lucky if you can get 1 goldfish in a 10g.

how long has the tank been set up? it its more than 1 week with all the fish, thats amazing. I lost goldfish many years ago due to not knowing the goldfish rule too and lost them within 3 days

[Benny2k1]

This is quite frustrating, spent alot of money on this tank done water changes regularly, the tank is a month and a week old! lost 1 fish wich was due to amonia poisining, Amonia Levels = 0 after doing water changes every couple of days, feed the fish once every 2 days including occasional bloodworm, water temp has remained the same.

as for having too many fish this is confusing us, the tank is quite big looking, we are getting different advice from all over the place.

the official advice for stocking wich came with the tank:

1 fantail
2 oranda
2 common goldfish

If they advise that and there should be only 1 goldfish in a tank like that, how many fish in the country is that harming?!

the tank is alot bigger than some of the tanks we have seen and WAY bigger than those little goldfish bowls that you get, what is a reccomended stock for our tank?!


Thanks for the help just really frustrating as have spent alot of money on the tank/fish, put soo much effort into it and still not getting anywhere :help:

[2manyfish]

Most pet stores either don't know or don't care about the fish. After all, they're "just" fish. They are only interested in selling you stuff. If they have to sell you medicines because the fish they sold you got sick, well that's $ in their pocket. If they have to sell you a bigger tank because they didn't bother to tell you that fish get big well....$$$. And if the fish die, you'll just buy more, right?? $$

Your goldfish are babies right now. Here's what they look like as adults....

(BTW not my photos, not my fish, just pics taken off the net)

[gm72]

2manyfish is absolutely right. A lot of fish stores just want to make the sale. If the fish die you buy more, it keeps them in business. If you have gotten advice about keeping that many fish in a tank that small you are being ill advised and you seriously shouldn't listen to such people.

As for fish size, again, 2many is correct. Those goldfish will get MUCH larger, and are dirty fish. You will never be able to keep up with the maintenance requirements, it is just not possible, and they will all die. Of course, you could not take our word for it and continue on as you are, but we'll be here to tell you "told you so".

You are getting somewhere, don't get discouraged. By being here and asking questions you are doing the right thing. I would recommend you return all of those fish and stock the tank with tetras for starters. They are colorful, most don't get that big, and they are easy to care for.

[Benny2k1]

I appreaciate every1s adivise, going to consider returning the fish, Amonia levels = 0, Nitrate levels = 0 just done a water test.

I am not going to give up, i have entered the fish world and am determined to have a happy, healthy aquarium

[gm72]

You will indeed have a happy and healthy aquarium, we will make sure of it! My advice to you is to ignore the stocking suggestions of your fish shop. It is clear they do not have the fish in mind when selling to you. In a tank that size you could have 4 each of maybe neon tetras and glowlights. Would be a nice colorful tank and relatively easy to care for, too!

Don't feel bad at all and try not to be frustrated. We see this all the time. People buy these cute little fish and no one tells them about their care requirements or their adult size.

Just remember to research your fish thoroughly before purchasing. Look them up online and ask questions here so you are well informed.

Also, forgot to mention--do a fishless cycle before you add your fish. There is a sticky post on the subject. You will make things easier for yourself as well as for your fish. Its easy!

[Benny2k1]

Treated them for swim bladder n remarkably they seem to be picking up (Deffinatly not going to count chickens)

They are swimming "properly now" done another water test as paranoid lol and the amonia and nitrate levels are nil

Maybe it was Swim Bladder!?

[cocoa_pleco]

my old goldfish was bigger than the one 2manyfish posted, and he got swimbladder. Most dont fully recover. Mine died from it after him being about 32 years old, just 10 away from the world record. They just become buoyant and have to get the air out of them

[gm72]

Benny, you are still in for impossible times ahead if you don't return the goldfish. Just not possible in a small tank like yours. However, I'm glad they are perking up a bit.

[Benny2k1]

As predicted the 2 remaning fish have died


Remaining in the tank is 4 white clouds with one downhearted but determined owner, The white clouds seem oblivious to everything at least :19:

[2manyfish]

Sorry to hear about your fish dying!


The white clouds are great for your tank though!! And now you have the option of picking out a few more fish that are suitable for your tank! You have an approx. 9 US gallon tank with 4 white clouds....you might want to consider adding 2 oto cats (which stay very small and they eat any stray algae too), and maybe if you are looking for a bit more color, maybe 3 platies, 1 male and 2 females. Platies are very hardy and come in quite a variety of colors too. These are just suggestions of course...there are plenty of other fish that would do very well in your tank! You could add 3 more white clouds instead if you prefer or perhaps you're interested in a dwarf gourami (only one to a tank as they will fight).....maybe you already have something in mind?

Just remember not to overstock your tank and also don't add all the fish at once. Add maybe two and allow your biological filter to catch up for 10 days or so, then add two more, etc.


Edit: forgot to add that anytime a fish dies in your tank it's time to do a good sized water change!

[gm72]

Ditto with 2manyfish. Good advice.

[Benny2k1]

Thanks for the advise, instead of going to the petshop going to take a trip to an Aquatics Centre, probably a wider choice and abit more knowalagable, i like the idea of a Dwarf gourami

[gm72]

Dwarf gouramis are cool, love them.

[Benny2k1]

Thanks for all your help!!

decided to upgrade in size and stick with my cold water setup

4 white clouds and these 2 lil fellas

[2manyfish]

Nice goldies!! :luxlove:
So what size tank did you end up with? Did you take your gravel and filter media from the old tank and put it all in the new one to jump start your cycle? Even if you did all that, remember to check your water parameters for any mini cycle that may show up!!