Apparently, it doesn't like to see it's reflection. I don't know if it's a certain habit this species has or what. It's very small, probably measuring 3-5 cm. It has small, black, beady eyes. It looks like a baby, but I'm not sure. It has a small short dorsal fin that looks like a triangle, and a small forked tail. Please help my sister and I! She fed it goldfish flakes for the last few days and it hasn't been eating the food. I don't want to tell an 8-year-old that her pet fish died because it starved itself to death.
2006-11-23 19:08:59 · 16 answers · asked by xuxa 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
I checked on the info several of you have given me and I've looked up goldfish, swordtails and the platy. However, this fish doesn't fit the descriptions or look like any of them. :(
2006-11-23 19:31:37 · update #1
Carnivals give out feeder goldfish, I have 3 or 4 of them from when I used to go to the carnival. Most of them don't last very long, most is about a year(from carnivals)
They don't always look the same due to variations in species.
The reason it hasn't been eating is because its still adjusting to its surroundings.
Search for goldfish care on google and you should find quite a few sites with information for the care of goldfish.
2006-11-24 05:10:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At most carnivals, they give away goldfish... and it sounds like a goldfish to me.....
your fish could be sick.....
At places like that, they are not there to particularly take care of the poor creature, they want people to feel that they're getting something special......
What you'll need to do , if you want to see the thing healty and watch it grow, is to treat the water.......
You'll need a water conditioner... and I would suggest Stress Coat.... Take a half a capful (5cc) per every 10 gallons of the water and mix it together before you put your fish in it.....
the stress coat will treat the skin of the creature offering slimecoat protection through aloe vera......... Plus, it gives the fish electrolytes, which are also good for the fish......
Now, if the fish is sick, he will become lethargic, meaning he will just lay there, no eating, no swimming around.... just kinda sit there.......
Give it a few days to see if the water conditions improve the health of the creature.......
If no improvements, you may want to get some Pond RX....... Use about the same amount per 10 gallons (half capful) and wait to see if he improves.....
If still no improvement..... Take those flakes and treat it with an anti-biotic..... or you could try getting some sinking treated pellets......
In all cases, it is beneficial to do a skin scrape and view it under the microscope to see if he is being attacked by bacteria or parasites.......
Keep in mind, too, that goldfish may grow to nearly two feet.... they grow pretty fast.... by next year, your small little creature may be about 8 inches long.....
99% of the problems associated with a sick fish, is the water conditons..... So, make sure you check the water........ And because clear water doesn't always make it "clean', you may want to get a water test kit.... ph plays a factor in sick fish too...
Hope that helps......
your sister,
Ginger
2006-11-23 20:14:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely it's a goldfish. The reason its not eating is because it probably pretty stressed. I've never had a fish from a carnival but my neighbors and friends have. Sorry to say but they usually don't last long. Im so sorry for your sister it must suck, i had goldfish when i was young but they got so big we had to give them away. So i dont know when they died. When my first pet, the family dog Harry, a weimeroner died it sucked we all cryed and were sad. Try to make it seem good to her, tell her he(or she)'s in a better place. And then go to teh pet store and but another one to make her happy.
good luck!
2006-11-24 04:30:36 · answer #3 · answered by ziddyziddy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At most carnivals, they give away goldfish... and it sounds like a goldfish to me.....
your fish could be sick.....
At places like that, they are not there to particularly take care of the poor creature, they want people to feel that they're getting something special......
What you'll need to do , if you want to see the thing healty and watch it grow, is to treat the water.......
You'll need a water conditioner... and I would suggest Stress Coat.... Take a half a capful (5cc) per every 10 gallons of the water and mix it together before you put your fish in it.....
the stress coat will treat the skin of the creature offering slimecoat protection through aloe vera......... Plus, it gives the fish electrolytes, which are also good for the fish......
Now, if the fish is sick, he will become lethargic, meaning he will just lay there, no eating, no swimming around.... just kinda sit there.......
Give it a few days to see if the water conditions improve the health of the creature.......
If no improvements, you may want to get some Pond RX....... Use about the same amount per 10 gallons (half capful) and wait to see if he improves.....
If still no improvement..... Take those flakes and treat it with an anti-biotic..... or you could try getting some sinking treated pellets......
In all cases, it is beneficial to do a skin scrape and view it under the microscope to see if he is being attacked by bacteria or parasites.......
Keep in mind, too, that goldfish may grow to nearly two feet.... they grow pretty fast.... by next year, your small little creature may be about 8 inches long.....
99% of the problems associated with a sick fish, is the water conditons..... So, make sure you check the water........ And because clear water doesn't always make it "clean', you may want to get a water test kit.... ph plays a factor in sick fish too...
Hope that helps......
2006-11-23 23:21:06 · answer #4 · answered by Marc X 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I suggest you purchase a couple of guppies. They are very easy to keep, are not as messy as goldfish and do not grow very big (about couple of inches full grown). You can keep them in a little 3-5 gallon aquarium with a small hanging filter or a cheap internal filter. The whole setup including gravel and a few plants should only cost you around $30 for a basic one or less than $50.00 for a real nice one piece design by Marineland which has a built in filter in the lid. Check around on the internet and you can find some good deals. If included a link to a website so you can see how it looks like.
2016-05-22 21:50:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small thin and orange? Sounds like a Rosy red. :) They are the next most common cheap feeder fish after goldfish.
They are paranoid little things, and like to be kept in groups. They come in colors ranging from grey to orange, and occasionally, pale pink or white.
Get him some tropical fish flakes, a few buddies (most fish stores sell them for less than a quarter each) and a 10 gallon tank. They are very hardy, and can generally live without a heater or a filter. Empty 10 gallon tanks average about $10. Decorations are optional.
2006-11-25 18:40:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have to assume that it is a Goldfish, if it is still alive, try another brand of food. Otherwise make up a creative story. Or if you think your sister can handle it tell her the truth, and mabey use it as an oppertunity to teach her how to take care of a pet, go get a new one, and see if you two can work together to raise it. This would be a great bonding activity also.
Good Luck!
2006-11-23 19:12:08 · answer #7 · answered by Bballoakie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't say thin, I would assume it's a goldfish. Since you said it has a triangular dorsal fin and a forked tail, I'm guessing it's a swordtail or a platy. Look them up to see if I'm right.
2006-11-23 19:24:13 · answer #8 · answered by Mafia Agent 4207 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be sure to get some water treatment drops from the pet store. And don't overfeed - a couple of flakes once or twice a day. Try some different food- maybe freeze-dried worms.
Be sure that the water temperature is not too extreme either way, and that you change it once a week.
2006-11-23 19:19:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The biggest thing to do with your new Goldfish is to keep the water clean and that is how they get oxygen to live by and do NOT over feed. Enjoy.
2006-11-23 19:25:27 · answer #10 · answered by ohio_angell 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋