how do you keep a dying goldfish alive?

Question

i have goldfish in a 2.5 gallon tank with air pump and filtered water, but my fish has been acting weird like seating at the bottom of the tank and not eating etc. i have never seen it like tht before... any suggections what i should do??? i dont want her to die on me :(

Answer 1

When you can afford a larger aquarium, such as a 10 gallon aquarium, that would be better for long term health.

That said, this is not likely your problem now.

It is possible your goldfish ate a piece of gravel as this is very common in goldfish when rooting around for food.
I strongly recommend soaking all food for goldfish for 20 minutes to soften it up. Also pellets are much better for goldfish. While TetraFin is difficult to digest and can lead intestinal gas problems and infections.

I would try a double strength Methylene Blue Bath for 30 minutes. This will help the oxygen capacity of the blood and kill infections.
Pimafix or Usnic Acid may be safe organic treatments to use.

This may take time to pass, so try and be patient unless other symptoms arise that may indicate a diffferent coarse of action that may require stronger treatments

Make sure all your water parameters are in check:
*Ammonia- 0
*Nitrites-0
*kH 160 ppm or higher for goldfish

For more Basic Goldfish Information:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Goldfish_disease.html
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Quality_Fish_Food.html

Good luck, and you can contact us with more questions from these articles.
For more information about proper fish foods:

Answer 2

Any google search will tell you that a goldfish well-cared for can have a lifespan of 20-40 years! The only reason people think they're short-lived is because they aren't being cared for properly.

The problem is most likely the fact that you should not be keeping goldfish in that small a tank. Goldfish generate a huge amount of waste for their size, so your water is probably so full of ammonia and nitrates that your fish's gills are being burned when he breathes. It is killing him slowly and painfully. :( But he can survive if you fix things soon.

You need a much larger tank, 10 gallons or larger for a fancy goldfish. If you have a common or a comet, your goldfish needs a pond to live to its full potential.

You need to do 20% water changes and vacuum the gravel every week, and test the ammonia and nitrate weekly as well to make sure things are always under control. Ammonia should be at 0, and nitrates should not exceed 40ppm. I've even read 20ppm in some places. Anytime your levels exceed these, you should do an immediate water change.

Answer 3

Your tank is TOO SMALL!!! Thats what the problem is.

Baby-juvenile fancy goldfish NEED 10 gallons PER fish. (orandas, ryukins, fantails, moors, ect.)
Baby-juvenile long bodied goldfish NEED 20 gallons PER fish. (comets, commons, feeder goldfish)
Adults NEED atleast 50 gallons PER fish. All goldfish get 12-15 inches and have lifespans of 30 plus yrs. NO fish grows to the size of the tank. The outside stops growing but the insides continue to grow wich kills the fish. Goldfish excrete copious amounts of ammonia constantly, so they need ALOT of filtration aswell as constant regular partial waterchanges where the gravel is vacumed making sure not to drain the water past 50 percent. The new water is the same temp as the tank water and it is dechlorinated so as not to shock the fish.

Do an IMMEDIATE 50 percent partial waterchange. The fish are telling you that the water quality is bad. Then tomorrow get a bigger tank ASAP if you care anything for these fish.

Answer 4

First of all, I must say that your tank is too small for your goldfish. Goldfish need atleast 10 gal of water per fish. (More is better)

Mostly goldfish will stay at the bottom and they wont eat anything when there is lack of oxygen in their tank. So, if you really don't want to kill your goldfish and want to see your goldfish active and healthy again then u should get him new big rectangular tank for him. Otherwise change water every day. However your goldfish is going to die very soon in that small tank.

Answer 5

Sometimes they can have too much food. I have 4 black mols, very beautiful and of the goldfish family. I only feed them 2 times a day. A single gold - A couple flakes the same size as its eyes will do. Are you using filtered water, tap water? I use nothing but spring water. The filtered water still might have too much mineral or chemical content. Just get natural spring water from the store ( I get 2 gals for $0.89 here) maybe even get a larger aquarium. Step up to the 10 gal. You can get those anywhere for about $10. Let me know how it works.

Answer 6

It could be the temp in the tank, do you know what it is? Maybe try a goldfish site, I have a betta fish so... I hope she doesnt die either :( I hate losing fishies. Also how long as it been since she last ate?

Answer 7

Goldfish need 10 Gal per fish.

you need to do a water change first.
but go immediately and buy a tank to suit your fish.

get some MELA FIX, it is all natural ( do not use chemicals)

good luck.

Answer 8

Just trade in the goldfish and get these sea creatures of the deep :)
http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0512/feature3/multimedia.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/12/061222-giant-squid.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/tv_radio/wwseamonsters/

Answer 9

you need a much bigger tank or that goldfish won't make it. sorry. if you have the money then get a bigger one. i hope it works out for you

Answer 10

i dont know that there is much you can do! test teh water condition with a pH testing kit and test teh temperature. you might want to do a 50% water change or something incase teh water is bad!


good luck with ur lil goldfish!