Beginner Fishkeeper With Sick Fancy Goldfish HELP!

[Manic Fury]

Hello everyone this is my very first post!

I am a beginner to taking care of fish and am making it a new hobby of mine!

Before I became genuinely interested in fish and aquariums, I just thought fish were fish. They can live in anything! You just stick a filter in there to keep the water clear, feed em twice a day and BAM! they will always be healthy.

But much to my surprise, there is a lot to taking care of fish. Even goldfish!



So, here I am. And sadly, I have an unhealthy Fancy Goldfish named Pontus (father of the fish).

Recently, my fish has been "crashing". He sits at the bottom of his tank all day and does not swim around at all. I know that goldfish sleep by laying at the bottom of the tank but it has been all day for the past 2 days.

Also about 2 weeks ago he received a cut on his left side from a decoration that I did not place very well in his tank so he must have gotten stuck and when he swam out, it cut him.

I have been keeping Pontus in a 3 gallon tank. I know, this is very cruel. I did not know this prior to getting my fish. So two days ago I bought a 30 gallon tank for him! But sadly, I can't get it set-up for another couple of months. I live in the dorms at college and there is absolutely no room in here for that size of a tank.

The filter I have is a little piece of crap filter (Whisper 3i). I think it works but it really doesn't seem like it is.

I don't know the parameters of his tank because I do not have a test kit. I will buy that soon.

I did a 25% water change yesterday and plan on vaccumming his gravel today and doing a 10% water change.



If I missed any information that could potentially be helpful for my little guy Pontus then let me know. And if this post is a little all over the place and disorganized, it is my first post and I will most likely get better at it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rmiller]

You're in a bit of a pickle, but you seem to be getting it figured out. He will be much better off once he's moved to his new tank. For now let's see what we can do about keeping him healthy.

First make sure there is no carbon in your current filter. Then add a bit of melafix to prevent that cut from getting infected. I would start doing large water changes ~50% every 2-3 days until you can move him. This will help keep the toxins from building up in his little tank. Once you are able to get the new tank set up be sure to run the current filter in the new tank alongside the new filter for about a month. What little bacteria builds in there will help in the new tank until you get a good colony of bacteria built in the new filter. If you can get a canister filter for the new tank you will be much better off. They hold more media, therefore more room for bacteria to grow.

The next thing you can do for his overall health is to feed him veggies, shelled peas are a great way to keep his digestive system moving. Add green veggies to his diet one or two days a week.

 

[Manic Fury]

You're in a bit of a pickle, but you seem to be getting it figured out. He will be much better off once he's moved to his new tank. For now let's see what we can do about keeping him healthy.

First make sure there is no carbon in your current filter. Then add a bit of melafix to prevent that cut from getting infected. I would start doing large water changes ~50% every 2-3 days until you can move him. This will help keep the toxins from building up in his little tank. Once you are able to get the new tank set up be sure to run the current filter in the new tank alongside the new filter for about a month. What little bacteria builds in there will help in the new tank until you get a good colony of bacteria built in the new filter. If you can get a canister filter for the new tank you will be much better off. They hold more media, therefore more room for bacteria to grow.

The next thing you can do for his overall health is to feed him veggies, shelled peas are a great way to keep his digestive system moving. Add green veggies to his diet one or two days a week.

Thank you for replying. Could I find melafix at Wal Mart? I don't have a pet store or fish store near me so that would be convenient.

I've heard of the pea thing. Does it have to be a cooked or blanched pea? Or will raw do?

Also, I haven't vacuumed his gravel. It's pretty gross and I have neglected to fix that issue. Should that help?

And I have been reading for hours over the past couple of days about fish-less cycling and I am pretty confident that I can get my new tank ready for him.

I wish I could just move him right now! Poor little guy.

 

[Roz]

Hi there, I am just starting out too, but can offer a little basic help.

I think Pontus might need large daily water changes - at least 50% but maybe more, until you can shift him to his Hollywood mansion.

My little guys are also in a tank far too small, and I am about to move them to their Australian version of a Hollywood mansion (Toorak?). Until then, I have added live plants and a little hidey log, configured to create mini spaces that allow the fishies to find chill-out or gathering spaces. Like a human room, a tank seems far bigger and more functional with the "furniture" in it. But more to the point, it will give Pontus the necessary places of refuge he will seek, and things to explore and do in his NY apartment.
The plants will also assist with maintaining water quality - so live rather than fake plants are more beneficial.

I hope this helps a little.

More than happy to help further

 

[Manic Fury]

Hi there, I am just starting out too, but can offer a little basic help.

I think Pontus might need large daily water changes - at least 50% but maybe more, until you can shift him to his Hollywood mansion.

My little guys are also in a tank far too small, and I am about to move them to their Australian version of a Hollywood mansion (Toorak?). Until then, I have added live plants and a little hidey log, configured to create mini spaces that allow the fishies to find chill-out or gathering spaces. Like a human room, a tank seems far bigger and more functional with the "furniture" in it. But more to the point, it will give Pontus the necessary places of refuge he will seek, and things to explore and do in his NY apartment.
The plants will also assist with maintaining water quality - so live rather than fake plants are more beneficial.

I hope this helps a little.

More than happy to help further

I love the analogies for his bigger tank. "Hollywood Mansion"? I prefer "Playboy Mansion"

Anyways, thanks for the advice. Currently Pontus is actually swimming and seems happy. But after about 5 minutes he just sits at the bottom for hours and hours. I tried feeding him 2 little flakes just to see if he would go for it and he actually did, but he spit it out and went to the bottom.

As of now I think the best form of action would be to just keep doing large PWC and to vacuum his tank. And to also try the pea technique to maybe make him start eating a little more.

Hopefully Pontus goes strong and will survive until I can get him into his Mansion in a few months.


One quick question: His cut is pretty big on this side, will it eventually heal and look normal? Or will there be scarring? I'm not trying to put him into any beauty competitions. But, just wondering.

Thanks again. And keep the advice coming! It's much appreciated. And it will benefit knowing these helpful hints to better Pontus and any future fish that I may own!

 

[rmiller]

His cut should heal nicely, but there may be a small scar, and yes walmart carries melafix.

Definitely start vacuuming his gravel. All that waste builds up and makes your water quality WAY worse. Once you have that all cleaned out make sure you dechlorinate the water you put back into the tank. If you don't have dechlorinater, pick some up while you're at walmart, it's a must.

If he's not constipated, he won't need the peas right away. Just feed them once or twice a week. Get a small bag of frozen peas, thaw a couple in a bit of tank water, then tear off the shell and drop them in instead of flakes.

 

[jlk]

Welcome to AA!!!

Water changes will be the best thing for him! Daily 50%+ if you can possibly manage it as I suspect the tank has high toxin levels. Work on getting the debris in the gravel cleaned up as this will be the biggest contributor to infection and fungus. Bottom sitting and spitting out food indicate there is an issue with the levels so healthy water is vital.

Can you post a pic of his cut? First, remove any décor that is potentially sharp or dangerous. Décor really is not necessary especially in small tank as it will only be taking up more water volume. Next, no meds are necessary as long as you keep the water healthy. I have had fish with some pretty horrific injuries and nothing special is necessary other than lots of healthy water.

 

[Manic Fury]

Welcome to AA!!!

Water changes will be the best thing for him! Daily 50%+ if you can possibly manage it as I suspect the tank has high toxin levels. Work on getting the debris in the gravel cleaned up as this will be the biggest contributor to infection and fungus. Bottom sitting and spitting out food indicate there is an issue with the levels so healthy water is vital.

Can you post a pic of his cut? First, remove any décor that is potentially sharp or dangerous. Décor really is not necessary especially in small tank as it will only be taking up more water volume. Next, no meds are necessary as long as you keep the water healthy. I have had fish with some pretty horrific injuries and nothing special is necessary other than lots of healthy water.

First photo is just a big photo of the whole tank. The next is of his cut.

 

[jlk]

Not pretty but he will heal with a bit of time as long as you are religious about keeping the water clean. I would remove the cave thing immediately. And I would work on removing the gravel gradually over the next week or two (all of it).

Can you fill this tank to the top? My guess is its barely holding a gallon of water between the gravel and it only being half full. The more clean water you can offer him, the better. Just make sure you are properly conditioning it and temperature matching it. The sooner you can invest in a test kit, the better so you can keep a daily watch on levels and act accordingly with more frequent water changes. Amazon sells the API master test kit for about $16. Please ask if you have questions!

 

[Manic Fury]

Not pretty but he will heal with a bit of time as long as you are religious about keeping the water clean. I would remove the cave thing immediately. And I would work on removing the gravel gradually over the next week or two (all of it).

Can you fill this tank to the top? My guess is its barely holding a gallon of water between the gravel and it only being half full. The more clean water you can offer him, the better. Just make sure you are properly conditioning it and temperature matching it. The sooner you can invest in a test kit, the better so you can keep a daily watch on levels and act accordingly with more frequent water changes. Amazon sells the API master test kit for about $16. Please ask if you have questions!

I can. I just cleaned his tank and I didn't put enough water back in like I should have. I just got a gravel vac and used it and didn't expect the water to go down so quickly so I couldn't track how much I was taking out.

I figured I would leave it for now since I will be changing 50% of his water tomorrow to get as much clean water as possible.

Why should the cave and gravel be removed? Just asking.

I think I do a good job conditioning. This is how I do it and let me know if I'm doing it okay.

1. Remove the water. I take a 2 liter pitcher and take it out.
2. I dump that out and rinse it very well (without soap and water! )
3. I then fill that up to the exact amount and try to get the water coming from the faucet to equal around room temperature (I know it's not accurate but it's quicker than just using straight cold water)
4. I write down the temperature that his water is.
5. I put the thermometer in the pitcher and wait until it is spot on.
6. Add the water conditioner and wait about 5 minutes to ensure it has circulated.
7. I then slowly pour the water into his tank.

If there is anything I'm doing wrong or if there is a step that I should be doing then let me know! Any criticism is very helpful!

I will look on Amazon and highly consider purchasing a the API Test Kit.

Thank you!

 

[Zagz]

The cave should be removed for room for the fish. Removing the gravel makes keeping the water healthy easier. If you don't want to remove all the gravel, remove at least half of it. It will still be easier to keep clean than what you have.

Small tanks are harder to keep clean and stable than larger tanks.

 

[Manic Fury]

The cave should be removed for room for the fish. Removing the gravel makes keeping the water healthy easier. If you don't want to remove all the gravel, remove at least half of it. It will still be easier to keep clean than what you have.

Small tanks are harder to keep clean and stable than larger tanks.

Alright, I removed the cave. I think that WILL actually make him happier. He seems to only have 2 sides to swim in, and it's not that much. Thanks!

And I will start removing the gravel tomorrow and I think I will leave about half of it.

Question: When I set up my new tank, should I not include gravel?

 

[Manic Fury]

UPDATE: Pontus is actually pretty active right now. He's perked up a lot and actually ate a little food.

I will still continue with the water changes and keeping watch of his cut. Also, I will gradually take out his gravel little by little.

Thanks for all the help and anymore advice would be good!

 

[Zagz]

A 30 gallon tank will be able to have gravel. Just keep up with water changes, goldfish are very messy!

 

[Manic Fury]

A 30 gallon tank will be able to have gravel. Just keep up with water changes, goldfish are very messy!

Yes, yes they are!

 

[Roz]

Pleased to hear Pontus has perked up a little! Great news! I can't be much assistance to you if the experts are online, other than to share my experiences. But happy to follow on the sidelines

 

[jlk]

Glad to hear he is perking up! Keep us posted on his condition and if there is changes or concerns.

When you are able to set up your 30g for him, I would look into pool filter sand (pfs) or a bare bottom tank. Either of these not only makes maintenance much easier but it also eliminates the risk gravel can pose for goldfish. As they are grazers and are constantly mouthing and picking at everything in search of bits of food, gravel can become lodged in the mouth or swallowed and rupture or impact the intestinal tract as it can not be digested. Please ask any questions you may have!

 

[Manic Fury]

Glad to hear he is perking up! Keep us posted on his condition and if there is changes or concerns.

When you are able to set up your 30g for him, I would look into pool filter sand (pfs) or a bare bottom tank. Either of these not only makes maintenance much easier but it also eliminates the risk gravel can pose for goldfish. As they are grazers and are constantly mouthing and picking at everything in search of bits of food, gravel can become lodged in the mouth or swallowed and rupture or impact the intestinal tract as it can not be digested. Please ask any questions you may have!

I've heard that it's good to keep gravel in there but the more rounded gravel as they like to pick up a small enough piece and move it around in their mouth. I've heard it aids in digestion. I wouldn't do that, but I've heard that's what they do. I have no idea if this is true, sounds a little weird.

Today I'm going to do a PWC and take out some of his gravel. I'll keep the big black rocks for looks but other than that there shouldn't be anything inhibiting a healthy tank.

 

[Manic Fury]

Pleased to hear Pontus has perked up a little! Great news! I can't be much assistance to you if the experts are online, other than to share my experiences. But happy to follow on the sidelines

You can still pitch in advice! Any advice is good advice!

 

[jlk]

Gravel does not aid in digestion. This is one of those ridiculous myths that I am honestly not sure how it was even propagated. Goldfish (as well as other cyprinids) have pharyngeal teeth that allow them to 'chew' food in a sense. Trust me, trying to extract gravel from a goldfish with forceps is not fun!

Picture of pharyngeal teeth in goldfish:

File:Schlundknochen Goldfisch.JPG - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia