i have two goldfish and a guppy, but they all act like they are stoned! they just hang around the bottom of the tank all day and hardly move????? WHY???
2007-02-08 05:00:17 · 10 answers · asked by ? 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
The Guppy is a cold water one, not a tropical one.
2007-02-08 05:12:13 · update #1
i am a doughball!, its a pleck, not a guppy! sorry folks.
2007-02-08 05:23:18 · update #2
sounds like the water might be off. try doing a gravel vacuum and water change of about 1/3 and see if it perks them up. fresh water usually reduces ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates and has a fresh supply of oxygen -- all good things.
2007-02-08 07:09:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should test your water to check the parameters. In a cycled tank, the parameters should be: ammonia-0, nitrites-0, nitrates-20 or less. Less than 10 nitrates is ideal. If your tank is newly set up, you may be experiencing the cycle--search for aquarium nitrogen cycle for more information. I suggest 50% weekly water changes to maintain the quality of the water. Also, make sure your tank is big enough for those fish--a goldfish alone needs at least 20 gallons, they grow quite large. Guppies also do better if they have a heater--they can survive in cold water, but will not thrive. Your goldfish, on the other hand, is a cold water fish and will not do well with heated water.
By "pleck" I assume you mean a plecostomus, also known as a sucker-mouth catfish? If so, this is also a tropical fish that needs heated water, and if it is a "common" pleco, which is the type most often sold in stores, it will grow to over 2 feet! Again, don't know what size your tank is, but for these two fish, you would need a 75 gallon at the very least...even then the two fish aren't compatible temperature-wise...
2007-02-08 05:08:45 · answer #2 · answered by Liz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Goldfish and guppies are from two different water conditions, ones cold water (goldfish) and the other tropical. Sounds like you have no heater guppies should not be on the bottom and goldfish in a cold water tank don't do much anyway, lucky if you see them feed. Solution: Set the temperature to 75F with heater/ thermostat combination available from all aquatic shops not very dear. both types of fish can live in that' the goldfish will get very active ie. picking up gravel spitting out of the tank and start a very rapid growth rate leave it at two fish. The guppy needs some mates say 5 of each male/female cheap as chips they are the easiest fish of all to breed. the other things mentioned by other answers are also important ie. pump&filter systems,plants etc. I find tonic salts help a lot to and a treat of live food (bloodworm/daphne). Oh and some floating weed for the fry to hide although not cannibals helps. Good luck Fishkeeper
2007-02-08 05:27:56 · answer #3 · answered by mikey_mossom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely a bit too cool for them to feel like moving around much. It could also be a bit too warm and the disolved O2 is a bit low, that would depend on the style and size of your filter. Check the temp to be sure it's in the mid 70's
If that's not the case I would suggest that it is high ammonia or nitrates. A quick 50% water change would take care of those problems. If that is the case, watch the tank closely for the next few weeks and do a water change anytime the ammonia or nitrites or nitrates get high.
2007-02-08 05:29:02 · answer #4 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How big is the tank they are in? Goldfish need about 20 gallons a piece for them to live long and happy lives.
Also, you are mixing tropical and cold water fish here...you will never be able to make them all happy seeing as they like different environments. Stick with either tropical fish or Goldfish...they don't work together.
2007-02-08 05:08:57 · answer #5 · answered by Mr.Robot 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
could be something wrong with the water or filter.
if you just added them, they might be a little stressed so just give them a few days to hang out
*also, your guppy is more of a tropical fish that likes warm water(78-80) while goldfish like colder water (About 72-ish)
2007-02-08 05:04:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Is the water temperature a bit low. Fish metabolisms slow down when the water is cold.
2007-02-08 05:06:25 · answer #7 · answered by alec A 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tank temperature. If your fish are clinging to the bottom they may be to hot or too cold. Also, add a bubble stone for oxygenation. These are several causes of lazy fish
2007-02-08 05:06:01 · answer #8 · answered by SavingCats 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You need to test the ammonia, nitrites,and nitrates. The fish are probably suffering from one of these toxins found in uncycled aquariums.
2007-02-08 05:15:22 · answer #9 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
poor water quality, wrong temperature, disease, poor tank decor.
guppies are tropical, goldfish are coldwater - do you have a heater?
2007-02-08 05:06:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋