it is on it's side at the bottom of the tank and swims in circles, I know it's going to die but I would like to treat the tank so that I don't lose anymore fish.
2006-12-05 13:20:17 · 6 answers · asked by pink_jade_flower 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
How big is your tank? How often do you clean the water? Did you use a dechlorinator? Do you have a proper filter?
Is this a new tank? And if so, did you properly cycle it? In the wild, and in established tanks, there are colonies of nitrifying bacteria that break down toxic ammonia produced by fish waste and excess food into less toxic nitrates.
So, in a new tank, even if you let the filter run, these bacteria don't exist. You can put them into your tank several ways.
The first two methods are the best and quickest ones.
Do you have access to an established tank? If you can get some gravel or a filter cartridge, that would put the bacteria in your tank.
OR can you find some Bio-Spira? You can buy it online and in some fish stores, and that is the live bacteria that goes straight into your tank. DON'T buy anything that has the 'dead' bacteria, like Cycle. If it's not bio-spira, it's useless.
Both of those methods are pretty well instantaneous, and you can begin adding your fish immediately (don't add more than 2-4 fish per week)
Your both choice is to put a source of ammonia into the tank and let the bacteria develop on its own. That can take 2-6 weeks. You can either put a piece of shrimp to rot in the tank, or 'feed' the tank with fish food once every days, or put a fish in to produce ammonia. I do not recommend the latter, as it requires your fish to undergo ammonia poisoning which may kill it, and frankly, it borders on animal cruelty.
If you didn't cycle your tank, your fish is therefore suffering from ammonia poisoning.
The best thing you can do right now is keep changing 50% of the water once or twice a day and hope he recovers.
2006-12-05 13:24:44 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It almost sounds as though your goldfish has swim bladder disease if this is the case I am very sorry.
However there are precautions or adjustments you can make to try to help it now. Such as do a systems check - and also check your oxygen level, ammonia, nitritite,nitrate and Ph.levels to make sure that they are at safe levels. Stress coat is another thing to consider getting. If there are other fish in the tank then just as a precaution you should put the goldfish in a quarentine tank to ensure that it is not going to get the other fish sick.
I also recommend a chemical to equalize your ammonia, nitrate and nitrite...Tetra Brand ...easy balence.
Also I hope you did not forget to dechlorinate.
2006-12-05 21:51:36 · answer #2 · answered by Amanda B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your fish has swim bladder. First of all - make sure your nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and pH are all within normal tolerances.
Second - check your O2 levels and ensure that your tank has plenty of air going to it.
Third, dont add any more fish until you can change your water at least 3 times (like 3 weeks)
Fourth - realize fish stress and treat them accordingly.
2006-12-05 21:49:18 · answer #3 · answered by bluebettalady 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is DIEING
P.S. sorry about the fish i'll cry for it every day and theres not much to do eather
2006-12-05 21:28:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
is it possible that its trying to rub its belly on the rocks?
maybe it is stressed or something?
do its fins look weird? is it breathing weird?
i suggest a 75 to 100% water change!
2006-12-05 21:43:36 · answer #5 · answered by emily woods 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe it is really bored. Are there girl fishes for it play with?
2006-12-05 21:28:17 · answer #6 · answered by utopian.outcast 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋