I KEEP HAVING TO BUY NEW GOLD FISH FAN TAILED BECAUSE THIER FINS KEEP GETTING ALL RATTY AND THEY LOOK LIKE CRAP AND THEN THEY DIE. IVE CHANGED THE WATER , CLEANED THE TANK AND ADDED WATER SOFTENER WHY IS THIS HAPPING? PS I HAVE AN ALGE EATER THAT HAS SURVIVED ALL OF THIS
2006-10-21 03:21:15 · 11 answers · asked by JESS B 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
even though people think that goldfish are easy to care for, they take alot of work. You didn't say what tank size or how many fish...but you really shouldn't have more than 2 fantails in a 10 gallon (20 is better). Gold fish expell alot of waste and ammonia.
I don't think the alge eater is attacking your fish...it sounds more like fin rot. virtually all cases are precipitated by stress, fear or poor environmental conditions. Fin rot can be cured with Pimafix if it's fungal, Melafix if it's bacterial. It can be bought at your petshop.
check you ph level often, do ammonia tests, and give you fish a variety of foods in addition to flakes. Alternate the different foods but don't over feed... you don't want them to develop swim bladder disease. Change your filter once a month (at least).
to make your fish happy and reduce their stress:
Try and ensure that the temperature of the water is kept at a constant 65 degrees (F) for gold fish.
Add water plants and a light source to the aquarium as it ensures replenishment of oxygen supply. If the light source is artificial, make sure it is timed to switch off on a 12 hour cycle.
Keep the tank free from debris and add a bit of 'aged' water (water left standing for at least a day). Clean the tank once in four to six months. 50% water change every 1 to 2 months.
While introducing the fish into its new tank try not to use your hands, a net is the safer way to move them.
Do not crowd the tank, this might lead to social stress or lack of oxygen. It would also lead to increased susceptibility to diseases.
Do not place the tank in direct sunlight.
Do not overfeed the fish, excess food may settle in the bottom and rot. Alternate the fish food to add a bit of variety for your fish. No one likes to eat the same dish every day!
Keep the tank covered, this would keep the fish safe from prowling cats, and dust. It would keep an over anxious fish from jumping over as well!
Do not keep a lonely fish. Fish usually live in groups and like company!
Do read up as much as possible about the behaviour, health and diseases of fish. The more you learn about fish, the more you would be able to enjoy and appreciate the little lithe creature keeping you company.
2006-10-23 15:24:59 · answer #1 · answered by mommy_2_katelynn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you buy the goldfish, take a close look at the algae eater because sometimes the algae eater will nibble on the goldfish tails and then the fish will get sick and eventually die. Some algae eaters don't mix too well with goldfish, comets, orandas, shubunkins, black moores or other fish of the gold fish family....Good luck.
2006-10-21 10:34:56 · answer #2 · answered by Big&Tall 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what kind of algae eater you have, it may be the problem. They don't just eat algae , if they need more food. If there isn't enough algea or similar plant material in the tank they will turn to the other fish in the tank. This in turn stresses the nibbled fish and they die.
2006-10-21 10:34:54 · answer #3 · answered by bugmann 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How big is your tank... goldfish needs lot of space.. It could be a fungus infection. The algae eater is tough. They don't get sick that easily.
The algae eater nipping at the gold fish might be a possibility. This wouldn't happen if it wasn't starving. You need to buy sinking algae wafers for the algae eater.
2006-10-21 11:43:24 · answer #4 · answered by professorminh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm asumming that the fish are in a tank with a bubbler? If so then maybe you need some ChlorOut, or something similar. It takes away the chlorine in the water. It is also possible that your fish are getting Ick (Ich) The turn funny colors and then die.
2006-10-21 10:51:49 · answer #5 · answered by Brittany 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
take a water sample to the pet store and have it tested.. or it could be the place you get them from they were sick before hand? or it could be that there is something in your tank the Algae Eater is grown accustomed too but it is affecting the new fish - this is common in older established tanks
make sure there are no non-aquarium friendly decorations in the tank - like toys or coins
2006-10-21 10:27:36 · answer #6 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Algae eaters are very tough and can survive alot. Is your tank cycled? have your water tested at your local petstore if you do not have your own test kit
2006-10-21 14:36:00 · answer #7 · answered by C live 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take your water to a local fish store and have it tested....many alge eaters are tropical and gold fish are coldwater, so that may be your problem
2006-10-21 17:36:11 · answer #8 · answered by tyta_n_ihsan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps your tank is not big enough nor do u use a water conditioner
2006-10-21 23:20:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you keep flushing it down the toilet
2006-10-21 10:24:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋