Our fantail goldfish has been consistently bottom sitting for about a week or so now and I cannot figure out the cause. He’s not normally the one who bottom sits, that’s usually the common.
Prior to tonight, he was in a 30 gal tank with the common goldfish and a small 4-5 in koi. We used the filter that came with the tank. They were in this tank for about a year or so. A few months ago we had an algae bloom I couldn’t stop so I added a uv filter which cleared it up. We never really had issues with the fish or the tank maintenance. We’d do a good scrub of algae and at least 50-75% water change (which I now know was too much) per week or 2 weeks and every month change the carbon media.
I did a textbook water change and clean up one night last week. Everyone was fine and happy. Next day I see the fantail sitting. I thought it was odd since he was fine the day before. I didn’t have my API drops kit yet but the strips said all levels were fine except pH which was low (6.8). I asked my 6 yr old if she’d added anything to the tank and she said no and still claims innocence. I added Tetra EasyBalance to adjust the pH and work on ammonia. We also did a water change and added more bacteria.
He still was bottom sitting and not interested in doing much except eating. He’ll still eat. We did a partial change again and added 2 airstones as someone in a video suggested it was a lack of O2. Still no change. This entire time my other 2 are fine and not affected at all, even the fussy one who normally bottom sits.
Finally got an API kit and tested the water. Ammonia was .25 ppm and stayed that way for a day or so. Tested it this morning and it was .50. pH has stayed the same, about 7.2-5. Nitrates and nitrites have stayed at 0.
We finally decided to upgrade tonight. Figured this would be a continuing problem as they grew and wanted to deal with it quickly. I did an instant cycle by soaking and swishing the old filter media and pouring that water (dechlorinated) into the new tank with the new treated water. I also saved most of the old gravel. I also added bacteria to supplement.
The koi is happy as a clam. Not affected by the move at all. The common is fussy and swims around a lot but then bottom sits some. The fantail isn’t any different. In fact he was almost completely on his side a minute ago before he adjusted himself. Not a single thing has changed with him. My husband joked maybe he ate gravel and is now too heavy. He can swim around but usually just floats back down to the bottom and sits. Even if I put my finger on the glass he won’t move.
None of them have any signs of parasites or illness and no clamped fins or anything. Just the bottom sitting. I know the new tank will need time to adjust and he may improve afterward but till then... Could this be a sickness or something? He’s had swim bladder issues before and has completely flipped upside down. Usually fasting and/or peas fix that. Any ideas on anything at all?
New tank parameters:
55 gal, Penguin 350B filter (2 cartridges)
50 lb gravel (half old half new, soaked new in treated water before adding)
A few new plastic plants (also soaked)
Dragon bubbler (also soaked)
Airstone (one free and one in the dragon)
Prior to tonight, he was in a 30 gal tank with the common goldfish and a small 4-5 in koi. We used the filter that came with the tank. They were in this tank for about a year or so. A few months ago we had an algae bloom I couldn’t stop so I added a uv filter which cleared it up. We never really had issues with the fish or the tank maintenance. We’d do a good scrub of algae and at least 50-75% water change (which I now know was too much) per week or 2 weeks and every month change the carbon media.
I did a textbook water change and clean up one night last week. Everyone was fine and happy. Next day I see the fantail sitting. I thought it was odd since he was fine the day before. I didn’t have my API drops kit yet but the strips said all levels were fine except pH which was low (6.8). I asked my 6 yr old if she’d added anything to the tank and she said no and still claims innocence. I added Tetra EasyBalance to adjust the pH and work on ammonia. We also did a water change and added more bacteria.
He still was bottom sitting and not interested in doing much except eating. He’ll still eat. We did a partial change again and added 2 airstones as someone in a video suggested it was a lack of O2. Still no change. This entire time my other 2 are fine and not affected at all, even the fussy one who normally bottom sits.
Finally got an API kit and tested the water. Ammonia was .25 ppm and stayed that way for a day or so. Tested it this morning and it was .50. pH has stayed the same, about 7.2-5. Nitrates and nitrites have stayed at 0.
We finally decided to upgrade tonight. Figured this would be a continuing problem as they grew and wanted to deal with it quickly. I did an instant cycle by soaking and swishing the old filter media and pouring that water (dechlorinated) into the new tank with the new treated water. I also saved most of the old gravel. I also added bacteria to supplement.
The koi is happy as a clam. Not affected by the move at all. The common is fussy and swims around a lot but then bottom sits some. The fantail isn’t any different. In fact he was almost completely on his side a minute ago before he adjusted himself. Not a single thing has changed with him. My husband joked maybe he ate gravel and is now too heavy. He can swim around but usually just floats back down to the bottom and sits. Even if I put my finger on the glass he won’t move.
None of them have any signs of parasites or illness and no clamped fins or anything. Just the bottom sitting. I know the new tank will need time to adjust and he may improve afterward but till then... Could this be a sickness or something? He’s had swim bladder issues before and has completely flipped upside down. Usually fasting and/or peas fix that. Any ideas on anything at all?
New tank parameters:
55 gal, Penguin 350B filter (2 cartridges)
50 lb gravel (half old half new, soaked new in treated water before adding)
A few new plastic plants (also soaked)
Dragon bubbler (also soaked)
Airstone (one free and one in the dragon)