My goldfish seems very smelly and not as active as normal?

Question

Any ideas? we were told that you do not need a pump for 1 fish in a small tank.

FIRST OFF - water is cleaned weekly!!!! any other ideas from ppl regarding a pump would be nice

Answer 1

Goldfish require at least 20g for the first fish and then 10g per additional fish. They will get very large and will produce a lot of ammonia making that type of space necessary. They also (as do every type of fish) require a filter.

A filter not only helps clean the water for you (though you still need to clean 20% weekly), it circulates the water giving it more oxygen.

Your fish could be smelly from the dirty stagnant water, the lack of oxygen, the lack of space, etc.

Get that poor thing an appropriate sized tank with a filter!

Note to the poster above: Do not clean a tank with soap. You could still leave some residue and this could harm your fish.

Use START RIGHT before adding more water. This takes out harmful chlorine from your new water.

Do not empty out all the water in the tank when cleaning it. When adding new water, it helps if it is close to the same temperature. Shock isn't fun. Try to avoid taking a fish out of water as much as possible (meaning, keep the fish in the tank when taking some water out).

Answer 2

Clean not only the water weekly, but also the tank. Make sure any detergent is left in the tank before putting you fish back in it. Make sure you are not overfeeding the poor guy... they'll eat every amount of fish food you throw in.. be careful with that. The pump might be a good idea too... but I don't really think that's the problem since the fish is being taken care of properly.

Another important point is.... he might be lonely... if you bought it from a pet shop where he used to be with other fishes... and all of the sudden he is all alone... he might get depressed... I once had a couple of goldfish myself, and one of them died (natural causes) and then the other died just a couple of weeks aferterwards... "he was lonely and sad" was what the vet said.

So..
1. Keep keeping water and tank clean. Making sure there is no detergent left.
2. Do not overfeed him. Ask a vet what's the right amount daily.
3. Get him some company.... soon !!!
4. Get a pump... just in case.

Answer 3

Goldfish are a lot dirtier than tropicals, I've kept both for years. First, try changing out about 25% of the water every other day a few times. Also add a live aquarium plant. I've had single goldfish that lived without pumps in the tanks for up to 5 years.

Answer 4

***!!**
Common misconception about gold fish: They can live in a small tank... Wrong.

Gold fish are the dirtiest fish you can own, they need at least five gallons and a water filter. Even if you clean a five gallon bowel weekly it is not enough, the work you have to do to keep a gold fish is too much without a filter.

Get a water testing kit from your pet store, it will have directions on how to use it and what to do with the water in your tank.

It sound like you have too much ammonia in your tank, do a 20% water change. Then go to the pet store and get your water test kit.

Gold fish like a little salt in their water, get special aquarium salt for it the box should have directions for gold fish bowls on the carton.

Another common misconception: Gold Fish are also cold water fish, not tropical. They like the water to be about 10 degrees colder then tropical. this is ideal but not necessary for gold fish.

Answer 5

If your goldfish is not very active, he could be too hot! I have a temp guage on the outside of my fish tank and in this weather the water temp has got up to 28 degrees celsius. I usually take some water out using a bowl and then put some cold water back in. He becomes more active after that and seems happier!

Answer 6

the best pump and filter i used was like a big green roller that sucked out all the waste and uneaten food in this weather if your tank is in sunlight it gets an algae on the glass which can smell like rotten cabbage. so try this kind of filter and move tank into a darker corner and you should be OK but do clean all the tank or just change the water.

wash all ornaments do you have plastic or live plants live plants goes a smell and the glass needs to be cleaned as well its not the fish smelling but the water.

do you put tap safe in the water and you can add a tonic to boost his immune system he could be sick

Answer 7

You don't really need a pump, but goldfish in particular are very dirty fish. You should be changing out about half of the water once a week. Replace with dechlorinated water or leave it out overnight so that all the bubbles are out before using.
Another thing that helps is to use floating fish food. It doesn't break down in the water like flakes. I use it in both of my tanks.

Much Love!!

Answer 8

You need to clean the fish bowl regularly if you don't have a pump. Your poor fish is swimming in it's own poo! I'm sure you'd smell too!!

You don't need to change the water daily - that's too often. Leave the fresh water out in a container for a while before using it in your clean tank so that it can oxygenate.

Answer 9

Course you should have a pump, otherwise the water goes stagnant (and stinks). Also he's not going to be active cos there's probably no oxygen left in the water. Clean his tank then go to the shop and get a pump, they're only about a fiver.

Answer 10

yes you need a pump and filter the water will go stagnant hence the smell especially in hot weather the lethargy is due to this

to seem stupid would you like to swim in your own excrment for a week or so ( no then why let a fish)