Quick crash course on goldfish please!?

Question

ok, my goldfish is old. He's gotta be at least 2 years old already. He lives alone in a 4 gallon tank with an air supply thing. He's about 1 1/4 inch long, with a tail about 2 inches long. The fattest part of his body is about 3/4 inch wide. The reason I mention that is because I have no idea how much I should be feeding him. Once a day? Twice? Cause he's a little piggy, if I dump the whole can in, he'd eat it :P
Also, what should the temperature be? it's usually around 74 F.
I live in an area with 'hard' water. I only add this 'tap water conditioner' to the water. Are there other kinds of stuff I should be adding? The reason i ask all this now, as i've already had him for 2 years, is he's acting weird lately.... he's been floating on his side, doesn't swim around, just kinda hangs out in one spot. He's probably going to die soon, I'm sure he's nearing his expiry date...

misselliet -----> cute :P LOL

Answer 1

Here's a good goldfish caresheet.
http://thegab.org/Articles/GoldfishBasics.html

Temperature is ok. They like hard water.

here's a good article on goldfish nutrition.
http://thegab.org/Articles/GoldfishNutrition1.html

and some gel food recipes
http://thegab.org/Articles/GelFoodRecipes.html

We really need more info to troubleshoot what's going on with him. Here's an article on buoyancy issues with fancy goldies that should help.
http://thegab.org/Articles/Buoyancy.html

I'd test your water to make sure it's happy (ammonia and nitrIte=0ppm, nitrAte < 40ppm and pH up about 7)

Rule out food allergies by switching to fresh foods.

And look for signs of a bacterial infection. Any redness in the finnage, base of the fins or belly.

If you want some more help, click the forum link from any of the articles and come describe what's going on.

Answer 2

He is small for a 2 year old goldfish, which isn't old at all, they can live over 20 years. Keeping him in a 4 gallon tank probably stunted him, his insides continue to grow though so they just get really cramped together which can cause health problems. You should try to get him a 10 gallon tank and make sure the filter does at least 100 gph.

I feed mine as much as they can eat in a couple mins 2 times a day. The temp you keep him at is fine, since they are coldwater fish they don't need warm water but they are more active and their metabolism slows down if the water gets too cold. When I do a water change once a week, like you should too, the only thing I add to the new water is Prime before I put it back in.

Answer 3

if he was my fish, I would vacumne him out a little, change his filter, and don't feed him but once a day, just a pinch.