Why do my kids fish keep dying???

Question

OK.. So we got both my girls two black fish.. they are in with gold fish and the lady that we got them from called them goldfish.. but they are black.. so I am going to call them goldfish..lol. OK.. So we got them friday..then saturday 1 was dead. We took my daughter out to get another and Sunday that one was dead. Again I took her out to get another.. I went out today to run errands, and, you guessed it, when I came home, old goldie was floating.. so today I just ran out to get another and she dont know about the latest fatality.. any suggestions? My other daughters fish (the origional) is doing just fine. We have them in identical bowls, on identical food and everything. Any suggestions, idea on how to keep these alive??? Thanks!

OK.. I take care of their fish because they are too litle.. so no it is not because my kids are taking care of them....

We have well water. I talked to the lady at the pet store and she said its not the water since its only 1 fish in 1 tank.. the other fish is thriving! (they both have their own tanks)

Answer 1

I haven't figured that out yet. I am a goldfish murderer too!

Answer 2

Do these fish actually look like goldfish? I am sure that black goldfish exist somewhere, but if they look different than your other goldfish, then they could be something else - what comes to mind for me is a black molly.

If it is a black molly, then I think that they do live okay in bowls, but like someone else said, sometimes the older fish do not like the new fish, especially if they are bigger. We have a tropical fish tank and we have these fish (some breed of shark) that basically took over the tank - they are the only ones left, and any new fish that we get mysteriously disappear. I would test out putting the new fish in a different bowl if you haven't tried that already.

In your case, it is possible that these black "goldfish" might not be compatible with bowl living either because of the need for a filter/heater/etc. If possible, check out another pet/fish store to see if you can find out for sure what those fish are called and how to take care of them. Sometimes it is better to get a second opinion because I have a couple friends who are just now entering into the fishy world and the guy at the store sold them tropical fish telling them that the fish would be fine in a non-heated, very small fish tank.

Answer 3

Goldfish --yes, your fish was probably a Black Moor or some other goldfish variety-- are not as easy as reputed to keep.

They are dirty, need good filtration and an adequate sized aquarium. They don't do all that well in bowls.

They also don't cycle new tanks well either.

It could be problems from over feeding (don't feed goldfish more than once, every-other-day or less).

It could be any number of problems that is causing your fish to die.

You should start off with a beta, much easier to keep for starters.

PS-- make sure you get your fish from an aquarium/fish shop- not a pet store or Walmart or anything like that because chances are, the clerks won't know what they're talking about and won't be able to help you with problems.

Answer 4

Well, theres a couple of things you need to do when you get a new fish. You know how they put the gold fish in Plastic air filled baggies, well don't just dump them in the tank when you get home. Let them sit, floating in the bag for about an hour before you release them from the bag into the water. This allows them to adjust and keeps them from getting shocked due to the change in temperature. Keep them away from the direct sunlight all the time, it will eventually kill them. Add some 'Ick Remover' its something the fish periodically get that makes them sick and die. Also, let the water sit for a couple days to let the clorine from the tap evaporate a little, this is called 'Prepping the tank' by doing all these things they probably won't die as quick. There are some great books at the library that cover these basics and more.

Oh one more thing. Don't clean the bowl with bleach. Well, if you did you need to rinse and rinse and rinse. Just a drop of the stuff will kill them.

Answer 5

The bowls are totally inadequate, but your fish should be able to last more than a day in them (but goldfish in bowls are eventually doomed in any event).

There are basically two things which kill fish that fast: water quality and disease (and I'm guessing the water since they seem to be doing fine until they're placed in the bowls).

Your fish need to be acclimated (to temperature, pH, carbonate hardness, and general hardness). The water needs to be chlorine, chloramine, ammonia and nitrite free, and oxygenated. The presence (and especially combined presence) of these compounds will kill a fish quick.

I recommend not attempting goldfish again until you're able to provide an adequate tank for them. No fish is really suited to a bowl, though betta's can usually tolerate them.

Answer 6

Even with well water you should use declorinater, they remove other heavy metals from water as well.
Did you float the bag the fish came in? You should always float the bag for at least 10 minutes so the fish will get used to the temperature of the water.

One last thing how long does it take you to get home from the store? Fish shouldn't be in the bag for more than half an hour, especially goldfish because of the amount of waste they produce. The water can get toxic very quickly.

Answer 7

Nothing will last in just a bowl. You need the water aerated and filtered and moving. Feed them live tubiflex worms from the fish store only. Overfeeding is not a problem like people think. The fish only eat as much as they want. The problem is they don't eat nearly all that flake stuff you give them and the rest just gets the water dirty. The temperature has to be stable, about 72 to 78 degrees. The key to keeping fish is to keep the water clean.

Answer 8

check your PH levels, try changing the water, use purified water to refill the tank. Try purchasing the fish from a different pet store. Most stores here have a 24 hour warantee on their fish and most pet shops will test your water for you. make sure you regulate how much food your daughter is feeding them.


Also goldfish don't need fancy tanks I have Koi that I bring in for the winter and they stay in a big tub in the basement for 5 months I just add fresh water and feed them once a week. The Koi are more expensive then most goldfish depending on size they cost about $40 a piece I would not steer you wrong.


The women at the pet store is telling you that its not the water because you keep purchasing fish from her. She is banking your money. Try taking your water to a different fish shop and have them test it for you

Answer 9

Ok only 3 people said it out of a lot. The stupidity astounds me.

GOLDFISH CANNOT LIVE IN BOWLS AND SMALL TANKS AKA BOWLS WITH FILTERS.
You most likely have black moors which are black goldfish. They are very sensitive goldfish. But that isn't the issue.
Baby-juvenile black moors and other fancy goldfish varieties NEED 10 gallons PER fish with heavy filtration.
Baby-juvenile long bodied goldfish NEED 20 gallons PER fish.
Adults NEED at least 50 gallons PER fish. Ive personally seen 14 inch black moors. NO fish grows to the size of the container. What happens is the outside stops growing but the insides continue to grow, killing the fish. Goldfish have lifespans of 30 plus yrs if cared for. Not properly caring for them and providing the fish with what they need to live long healthy lifespans is teaching your kids that living creatures are disposable and they do not matter. You need to read the links i provide as well as print them out and show them to the morons that let you buy goldfish for bowls.
NO fish can live in a bowl. Bowls are for candy or flowers, NOT fish.

Answer 10

I had the comparable subject. provided that I do love fish, i offered a opposite osmosis water equipment and additionally filter out the water. in reality, i'm now very effective with fish. it incredibly is an high priced restoration, yet i'm a obdurate guy who intends to maintain my fish. you comprehend, i think having 2 fifty two gallon tanks that are related with a lighted flow tube reasons my wellbeing to be lots nicer. My nerves are calm and that i rarely get dissatisfied.

Answer 11

You don't mention the size of the tank or filtration. If it's a small tank w poor filtration, the shock is just too big for a fish to adapt that quickly, specially after the stress of transport from supplier to petstore to home.... Your older fish just had time to adapt to the changes. Plus, there is good bacteria that grows on filters that decrease the amount of toxins in the water. Likely your new tank still doesn't have that colony of good bacteria, while your other goldies do. They may not be healthy if the water quality is poor and may die too if there is any sudden change in their water. I'd recommend a bigger tank with filtration, and adding one fish per week to give the tank time to cycle. Good luck.