Help save my son's goldfish!

[FredDB]

My son's 8-year old goldfish is acting wierd (for lack of a technical term).  It stays on top, right in front of the water filter/aerator sucking in air (like he's not getting enough O2).  Every now and then, he'll swim around real fast, crashing into the glass.  Then he goes back to the top and sucks in air.

I changed the water (well water, same source for the last six years), cleaned the tank.  That's all I can think of except maybe trying some purified water from the store.

Any ideas as to what might be going on?

 

[JWright]

Sounds like your fish is suffering from ammonia posioning. How big a tank is it? How big a fish? How long has it been set up?

It would be helpful if you could post the levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in the tank.

Josh

 

[tabby360]

id do a water change

 

[FredDB]

Thanks for the replies.
I know this will cause many here to fall out of their chairs, but I have no idea what the ammonia, nitrate or any other levels are in my fish tank.

A little history;  This goldfish was one of seven my son "won" at a local fair.  He had to bring them home, so the only thing we had at the time was a large salad bowl (I hear the chairs hitting the floor!).  Anyway, that lasted for about a week for six of the seven fish, but this one black and silver fish kept keeping on.  This went on for about two years (this rest of the chairs just hit).

When we moved, a neighbor gave us a ten gallon tank.  That is where the fish has lived for the last six years.  We bought the typical Wal-Mart set up; gravel, filter/aerator, etc.  The fish has since grown to about 5" and has turned gold.

I clean the tank about once a month, which consist of emptying the tank, washing everything and refilling it with tap water (well water).  I'm sure this isn't the right thing to do, but it has worked for him for the last six years.

I tried some spring water from the store last night.  It looked like it helped last night, but this morning he was back on top sucking air.
I will get a kit today and post the different chemical levels.

Thanks again.  I just might get into this fish stuff! =ob

 

[JWright]

Call me lazy, but I'm gonna take the easy way out.

http://faq.thekrib.com/begin.html Read this whole page (I know it's long )

The basic problem is that your tank has never cycled and your fish is dying of ammonia posioning.

Here's the cliff's notes version. Fish produce ammonia which is toxic, that ammonia is converted to less toxic substances by bacteria. Whenever you clean the tank completely you remove any bacteria that have built up. You need to give the bacteria a chance to build up to a level that can handle the amount of ammonia being produced.

When you change the water just take 3 gallons out and replace them with fresh water. Make sure you dechlorinate your water first. If you don't have chloramines in your water you can just let it stand over night.

Now for the bigger problem (sorry ). Ten gallons is way to small for a goldie, you're gonna need a bigger tank.

Check out that link, it will make life easier,
Josh

 

[arcab4]

also like to add that goldfish are pretty dirty fish. as in they produce alot of waste so diligent water changes are necessary to keep the water clean for them. specially in such a small tank.

 

[FredDB]

Thanks one and all.

So I guess I need to get rid of my ammonia and get a bigger tank.  I hear that if I get a bigger tank, my goldie is going to get bigger as well.  

Oh well, I guess if I get a bigger tank, I can get some of those Striped African Foo Foo Fishies....or whatever they're called! =ob

Thanks again!  Now, I gotta go save a goldfish!

 

[JWright]

It's true that if you get a bigger tank you will get a bigger fish.

Kind of like a person would get bigger if you gave them a big room rather than locking them up in a closet.

Josh

P.S. I know I seem like a jerk, that's just my style. I'm a very blunt person. I really do appreciate the fact that you care, you'd be suprised how many people don't.

 

[arcab4]

also, remember that if you don't ask questions, you won't learn. and besides, this is a great place to ask questions. people are just nice here...not like other places where members seem to enjoy attacking each other more than sharing advice. and a word of warning to all - be nice or else i'll send my special operation team of pirahnas to eat your lil' tetras. j/k. i don't even have a piranha.

oh yeah..i just wanted to add that..even if you get a bigger tank, the main thing that'll determine how fast it grows is how much you feed it. the more you feed it, the bigger and faster it gets. kinda like a person..if you feed them alot..they get bigger right?  

and what are foo-foo fishes?

 

[ryanp15]

Yeah I agree, bigger tank and get some test results in for us! Your leaving us all in suspense here! :-/ ;D

Yeah I agree if you have a question ask it! That's what this is for, duh! Hehe.

Fred I don't think "african foo foo fish" would be compatible with your goldfish, for one they are obvisously tropical and goldfish obvisiously arn't.

Yeah the bigger the tank the fish will get bigger, but by the same thought you can't expect to throw a fish that gets a foot long in a 5 gallon and expect it to be okay! If you get a bigger tank your fish will get bigger but he's gonna get big enough anyway. Good luck. Let us know how it all goes. ;D

 

[JWright]

Fred, it's been a few days. How's the fish?

Josh