Fancy always hanging at top of tank..why?

[Ruth]

I have noticed my fancy is always hanging at the topof the tank gasping! Why do they do this? I have 2 filters going so really plenty of aeration in there!

 

[jlk]

How do your water parameters look? Are they still in the small tank? Are there any other symptoms (flashing, red gills, spots, sores, lack of appetite etc)?

 

[Penncentralfan]

Most likely not enough oxygen in the water. What's the temp? As temperature rises the O in the water decreases.

 

[Ruth]

There is no other signs... What temperature should it be? I'm not taken temperatures before as I have cold water tank.

 

[Ruth]

Yes I've still got a 10g tank...the water tests shows ... I have not got the room to get a bigger tank so all the problems keep occuring.
Nitrates 0
Nitrites 0
PH 7.4
Ammonia 0

 

[FishieMomma]

As I learned the hard way, you really have to carefully follow the directions on the Nitrate test. There's very rarely 0 nitrates.

You are using a good liquid test kit?

 

[Ruth]

Hi Jen
I always use the api test liquid kit... Would the high ph be a factor in fish hanging at top? Just checked it and it's a dark blue colour

 

[FishieMomma]

Mine is dark blue also if I use the regular pH test. I need to use the "High Range pH" test to get an accurate number. Mine is consistently 7.4 on that chart.

 

[Ruth]

Not much hope I don't think... Started SB treatment this am... Starting to think why me? Can't keep fish longer than few months I just want a fish that lasts for years... How often I clean out the tank they still are dying maybe I need to go back to a smaller tank

 

[jlk]

I am sorry, Ruth Goldfish can not survive & be happy & healthy in a tiny tank- this is your primary issue here.

 

[Ruth]

5 years ago I bought a 30l litre tank and had a comet and shubunkin they lived for 4 years....in 2011 I upgraded to a 35l tank....and I have no end of trouble with fish....so a small tank looks like a better solution

 

[Laser]

Unfortunately this is a common misconception. Goldfish need a lot of water to grow out and live healthily. Shubunkins can easily live to be 15 years old. In a larger tank he would have lived longer. I'm not trying to be critical, but JLK is right. It's just the honest truth.

 

[jlk]

Thats fine if you only want to deal with a small tank. Comets & shubunkins live well in excess of 20yrs, some as long as 40yrs. Just no goldfish in these small tank. Stock with appropriate fish and this will go a long way to eliminating the issues you are having.

 

[nagoya]

The goldfish could be having a swim bladder syndrome. This is when the goldfish isn't able to swim the right way, you can feed it some Blanche peas which helps its digestion.

 

[Ruth]

Thx everyone I just want to feel that I am a good fish keeper and at the moment I don't what appropriate fish can I stock in a 35l?

 

[jlk]

35l is @9g. If you post a stocking thread asking for help, I am sure you will receive plenty of suggestions. You can also do a search on here for stocking suggestions for a 10g and you will find a couple dozen threads full of ideas.