How do you prolong the life of goldfish?

Question

Hello, just noticed my fish is dying, my nanna thought it was dead but when I scoppeed her up to flush her she was indeed still alive but clearly fighting for life. Is there any household substance at all I can put in the water or anything at all that could help prolong her life?

Thanks

Sash

Laugh if you will but I despise death of the innocent

Hello, just noticed my fish is dying because she was upside down on the water's surface, my nanna thought it was dead but when I scooped her up to flush her she was indeed still alive but clearly fighting for life because her gills and mouth were barely moving. Is there any household substance at all I can put in the water or anything at all that could help prolong her life?

Answer 1

I had a goldfish called "Elvis" that lived until it was 11 years old.. He started showing worrying signs when he got to about 7 , but he still managed another 4 years of life.. There isnt much u can do bein honest except keep ure fingers crossed and hope for the best..

Answer 2

Frequent water changes primarily determines the lifespan of a fish. Keep in mind when doing these water changes that a chlorine remover/conditioner, as well as fresh water salt (not to be confused with table salt) will also improve the condition of the fish's environment (their water). This can be purchased at any pet supply store for an inexpensive price. Also make sure not to over feed the fish. A pinch goes a long ways.

EDITED to add: Goldfish are pretty hardy creatures and don't need as much maintenance as some other fish. When I mentioned fresh water salt, I meant just a small amount in order to soften up the water.

Answer 3

There are lots of factors that can affect the lifespan of a goldfish, but tank size and temperature are prime among them.

Goldfish are cold water fish. They don't need the temperatures that tropical fish need - room temperature is fine. Too warm, and the water won't hold enough oxygen for them.

Also, tank size is important. Goldfish put out a lot of waste... which turns into ammonia (which is toxic), and is eventually turned by bacteria into nitrites (still toxic) and then nitrates (not as toxic, but too much is still unhealthy). Bigger tanks take longer to foul up. Smaller tanks require a lot more water changes to remove the nitrates.

One or both of these may be a factor in your fish's condition.

Answer 4

i doubt you will be able to save it at this point. if you truly want to try to save it, i would goto your local fish store and get ammo-lock. this will detoxify the harmful ammonia... put some into the water for the fish. then you need to try to oxygenate the water. either stir the water or get a bottle. take out some of the water and fill it about 1/2-3/4 of the bottle and shake the bottle for a minute then pour it back it. try to disturb the fish as little as possible. also, you will need to find a new home for the goldfish. most likely you have it in a small bowl that doesn't provide aeration or filtering of the water. you will need to get an aquarium. at least 10-20 gals for the goldfish, and bigger is better when it comes to goldfish... fill the new larger tank with clean water and pour in ammo-lock to get rid of the chlorine. let the water sit in the room temperature for a few hours. then get a bowl/bag or something large enough to scoop the fish with some water and put it into the new tank. don't pour the fish in, let it sit in the new tank water for like 30mins to let the temperature adjust. afterwards pour the fish in the new tank and pour out excess old dirty water.. remember to try to disturb the fish as little as possible as it is stressed and on the verge of dying.

unfortunately i think you might have past the point of no return. try the ammo-lock first and hopefully that will help... and get it some air by aerating the water.

Answer 5

If you keep your fish in a pond, buy a pond aerator tomorrow. They ( not the fish!) plug into an electrical socket, and oxygenate your pond, to help the fish breath. Make sure that your pond is not clogged up with dead leaves and similar detritus.

If you are keeping a goldfish indoors in a bowl of water, let it die. You will be being cruel to be kind.

Answer 6

i think your fish needs some oxygen plants you can buy them at any local pet store , keep the water at a cool even temp in this weather its a must , dont feed it to much just enough , fish do need some sort of bubbles they do need oxygen , and the plants do a great job of providing this , its cheaper than buying a pump , i hope your little fish makes it , i cried when mine died , but at least i now have the knowledge the no next time :-)

Answer 7

put some ice cold water in the tank to bring the temp down . when the water gets to warm it produces less oxygen for the fish . also try and generate some bubbles in the water to aerate the tank .

oh and you can buy tablets taht you drop in the tank that instantly increase the oxygen content of the water. when you cool the tank down this can be done by placing ice in a plastic bag and then placed in water

Answer 8

try changing some of the water (but dont put any chemicals in the water or you will just finish it off) if it survives keep doing this with filtered water it will remove the chlorine in the water
It may help but I doubt it sorry you may just have to accept it may die it's probably a swim bladder problem

Answer 9

what makes you think its dying? and how long have you had it for bc i have two goldfish and i've had them for 6 years. the only way to know if they are dead is if they're floating at the surface of the water!

Answer 10

keepit in clean water feed it but dont take it for a walk