Why does my goldfish not move? Dying or lazy?

Question

My daughters goldfish hasn't really moved for the last day or so and just sits at the bottom of the tank. Is it dying or just lazy??

Answer 1

Your fish might be overeaten, bad water condition or easly too small tank to swim. Check parameters of water such as the temperature, pH, the level of NH3/4 (keep 0% - it'is toxic), NO2 (keep 0% - it'is toxic), NO3 (can't excide 40mg/l) and if your filter is regulary washed and water changed (25-30% water of a tank at least once a week - depending of the tank size and fishes size, and also the number of fishes). Water ought to be properly prepared before changing: with the same temp. and pH (acceptable tolerance is +/-1 degree) as the same in the tank - these are basic conditions to keep the fish healthy and vitality.
Regarding NO2 - plants need this compound to get N mutch easier then directly from NO3 to rise, therefore, when there is lack of NO2 in water, plants change NO3 back into NO2 compound during photosynthesis and then they pick the N up and return O2 into water - so don't worry if you have got trace of NO2 in your aquarium with plants. Also they take the N from those previous two mentioned compounds: NH3 and NH4 (very toxic for fishes) eliminating in this way the toxic compounds from water. Fast growing plants very help to filtrate the water from unvisible poisons coming from uneaten rests of food and fishes excrements. If you provide plants in your tank with the proper light and number, especially with CO2 supply (not forgetting about fertilizing etc.) you should not worry, but check water with specialised tests commonly available in pet shops.
As you prepare above as your fish will be lived long years healthy and, I am sure - will be swimming happy. You should refer to special books about maintenance the aquarium for more details.
If you have any more questions, please let me know and I will try to help you as mutch as I could.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Probably bored and lonely. I hope it's in a proper tank, not a bowl. Goldfish produce lots of waste and should be kept like other fish - in tanks with filtration. Also, make sure you change some of the water on a regular basis, say 20% per fortnight, and always use a dechlorinator so you don't burn the fish with the chlorine/chloramine in drinking water.

There are very few vets that will consider fish. The best place to ask for help is a specialist aquarium shop.

Answer 3

Sorry but it sounds like it's dying, have you checked for any fin rot, or white spot, both can be treated with a liquid you can pick up at your local pet shop, also changing the water and putting tap safe in can give your goldfish a boost

Answer 4

I think that the fish is probably lazy. When my betta died, I know entirely different fish, he went crazy. He was swimming all over his bowl and he actually jumped out of the water a few times. I guess just keep an eye on him and if he dies maybe you should replace the fish before your daughter notices. I guess that really depends on the age of your daughter. My small kids, 3 and 4, didn't take our fishes death to well.

Answer 5

It sounds to me like he's short of oxygen, but I am no expert.
Try the guy who runs the site below, Gordon:-

http://www.quantumfish.co.uk/

He's written books on keeping fish and he's the most knowledgable person I know in the field. I'm sure he can tell you what's wrong and reccomend how to make the fish well again. He's probably a lot more helpfull and much less expensive than a Vet.

Answer 6

It could actually be lonely. I had a wicked algae bloom in my tank that despite treating all but 1 goldfish died. He was not moving except to eat. I got 2 new fish and he is back to normal.

Answer 7

If its just a little plastic bowl its in, change the water.

It may not have enough oxygen, and thus may be staying still and not going crazy to conserve the oxygen that is left.

You should really be changing the water every 2-3 days.

Answer 8

sorry to say ,the chances are it is ill and could well be dying.same thing happened to my daughters fish just recently. keep trying to change the water every other day. also purchase bacteria control fish treatment.do this as soon as possible and you may have a chance of saving the poor thing.i found this out to late.....good luck

Answer 9

I think there is a problem with it. Try changing the water and see if that helps. Are the filters clean/tank?

Answer 10

try a water change it is probably sitting in it's own excrement

I have a large pond of koi and have to do this at least once a month even with the filters