What's wrong with my goldfish??

Question

My goldfish keeps on swimming to the surface and she seems to "sip" up the water for about a minute at a time. She does this continuously. I know that with bettas, they will "sip" the water to produce oxygen through their laybrith organ. I don't think goldfish do that. I don't know what's wrong with her.

Answer 1

You haven't given us details about whether you have a bowl or a tank and whether you have a filter. This would make a huge difference in the answer, but I'm going to go for the first and most obvious thing. I'm going to assume you are using a bowl or small tank and I'm going to assume you don't have a filter or at least, an aerator. If this is the case, your goldfish isn't "sipping" water, it's gasping for air. It's actually suffocating because there isn't enough oxygen in the water. Because of goldfishes' metabolism and physical build, they must have a filter. Not just an air bubbler, but a good sized filter. Also, if you have a bowl or a small tank, you must get this poor fish out of the bowl. I know you don't mean to be cruel to your fish, but it is cruel to put a fish in a small container with no filter. Especially for goldfish. Go buy your goldfish a 10 gallon tank with a filter that pumps 100 gallons of water per hour. You will see an amazing improvement in the behavior of your goldy! Good luck!

Answer 2

Actually this is a common goldfish behavior, and probably nothing to worry about.

Though you didn't mention whether you're using a bowl or a tank I'll assume it's a tank, and make the following suggestions.

First do a 20% water change, and clean the filter. Make sure the filter is agitating the surface of the water so that plenty of dissolved oxygen is getting into the tank.

Second make sure that you are not overstocked, goldfish produce a lot of waste and if you have too many in the tank is going to cause a lot of problems.

Good luck
E.

Answer 3

This could be a problem or nothing at all.

*Is your goldfish eating?
*If so are you feeding a pellet or a flake? Many flakes if fed as the only food can cause intestinal gas in goldfish (Spirulina Flakes are an excellent supplement). I recommend soaking pellets for 5 minutes in water prior to feeding to remove air that can cause problems in the intestinal tract such as aeromonas bacterial infections that will often cause fish to display the behavior you are describing. Avoid TetraFin.
*What are your water parameters? Ammonia poisoning will cause a fish to gasp, so will nitrites to a slightly lesser extent.
*Make sure you have good circulation and surface agitation whether by an air stone or HOB filter or similar.

Please read this article for more goldfish basics:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Goldfish_disease.html

Answer 4

Yep they sip air when they need extra oxygen. They also do this when the nitrates start getting high. If they do it after they eat its time to get new food. Replace dry food monthly or you will get floaty fish. Avoid feeding them food with corn product in it (gluten meal). So add an airstone, change the water more often and get fresh good food.

Answer 5

Goldfish do this sometimes if there is not enough oxygen in the water, if you don't have one try an air stone or air wand.
Hope this helps

Answer 6

Every time I walk in the room my goldfish do this because they think I'm going to feed them. If she isn't acting peculiar in any other way this is probably what's going on. I assume you have some type of air being supplied to the tank?

Answer 7

well i have dealt with fish many years not goldfish but it seems that your fish's water doesnt have enough air in its water or it is sick get some treatment at the lfs(local fish store) it could be several things and most fish meds will cover almost any common fish illness-i hope he makes it through

also try ou t

www.myfishtank.net
its a stie that provides info of begginers and up to pro's of fish keeping plus you can have many people give you tips and read there struggles so you know what to do when little fish goes up plus. hope your fish makes it.

Answer 8

There may not be enough dissolved oxygen in her tank. Goldfish are able to breathe from the surface as well as through their gills. Perhaps you could try putting a plant in her tank and it might help :-)

Answer 9

Oh Yes they do. It is fascinating.
My gold fish also know ( I suspect) that since we feed them in the morning when the light is switched on in the room - they rush to the surface and start making that drinking water noise. Conditioned reflex, I think.

Answer 10

Aerate the container. She needs oxygen.