Need help with my fish please, is she sick?

[aquafishy]

Hello, I have an aqua baby (red minnow I think) in a tank that was given to me as a gift, the kind that was so popular everywhere about 3 or 4 years ago. I've had her for the last 4 and a half years.

Yesterday morning, when I fed her, she was just staying mostly still at the bottom of her tank, looking listless. She ate very little and was not excited at the food like she usually is.

I also noticed that the area just behind (posterior to) her stomach is tinged in orange and she looks like her back half feels heavy; it drops down slightly. Sometimes she props her back half on a stone that conveniently has an angled surface.

I have changed about about 80% of the water since yesterday. I also noticed a reddish splotch in her tail.

What is happening to my fish? Any suggestions please will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Seleya]

Have you tested your water? When was the most recent water change? Did you add anything to the tank prior to this change? How large is this tank? I don't know what the life expectancy of minnows is, she may simply be old.

 

[aquafishy]

Thanks for reply Seleya.
The last time the water was changed was about 2 months ago. Usually I change it about once every 6 months, depending on algae growth. The tank is about 6 inch by 4 inch and about 4 inch deep of water. There is only 1 fish herself in the tank. 2 other that came with her died within 6 months. There is some gravel at the bottom, a marble and a fake coral.

I have noticed that she seems to swim as if her back half is heavy.

 

[Fishckabibble]

OMG you need to do weekly water changes in a tank that small AND you need to treat the water every time with some water conditioner, also minnows are a schooling fish and that is way to small to have a school of fish in, you need to get a tank that is at least 10 gallons for a small school and also what are you feeding her? she may be sick from poor water conditions.

 

[aquafishy]

Thanks. I didn't know that. The instructions that came with it said to not change water too frequently, and algae has not built up much, the tank has been pretty clear. I will look for a larger tank.

 

[Seleya]

Well, your tank is 0.415 gallons -- incredibly wee. Congrats on keeping her alive so long -- she must be one tough cookie! You really need a larger tank -- at least 5 gallons but preferably larger (more fishies!). Regular water changes are critical for long term fish health. I do most of my tanks once a week and a couple (goldies) more often than that. I admittedly occasionally slack but try to maintain that regimen. Needless to say, each time water is changed, the gravel is vacuumed and the new water is dechlorinated (usually with Prime) My filters are only changed when the media is falling apart but are rinsed in old tank water weekly (not tap water)

Your best bet to try is to change the water -- I'd start with 50% with gravel vacuuming. You can vac the gravel with a piece of air tubing, just start a siphon and rummage the end around in the gravel. When you get your new tank, you can move the filter and gravel over to the new tank to keep the tank from cycling again (there are stickies at the top of the beginner forum which explain all that)

 

[Fishckabibble]

i cant imagine that the current "tank" has a filter but when or if you chose to get a largr one PLEASE PLEASE read the stickies about cycling so you dont put that little fish through anymore stress. i highly suggest a 10 gallon and get 5 or more of the minnows for it, i dont know too much about that particular one but i know it must be awfully lonely and cramped in that small tank. if you want a good deal on a small tank petsmart or petco usually has great prices for complete setups.