Recently rescued goldfish problems! - can someone help?

Question

I recently rescued a small common goldfish I found. He was left on a picnic table in a plastic cup. Apparently, someone didn't want him, but didn't have the heart to flush him.
The problem is, i didn't have a tank set up for the little guy previously for obvious reasons. I've been keeping him in a small goldfish bowl, but he dirties it up very quickly and depleates his oxygen so fast that i have to make frequent water changes.
I bought a small tank today, compleate with biofilter, but i haven't put him in it yet. Here's where i need some help.

-the new tank hasn't gone through a 24 hour cycle yet. Should i put him in it anyway? He's already pretty stressed from the water changes and high ammonia build up over last night, i'm worried another move would be more damaging.
-is there anything i can do for the little guy to reduce stress? All he does is stay at the bottom, unmoving. He wont eat either. :(

Any help is greatly appresiated.

Wow! Thanks a lot for all the responces guys! I've got him in a little bag ajusting to the water tempature right now.
The waters been declorinated before hand (bought some stuff for that as well), so hopefully he'll like his new home better than that shoddy bowl.

Thanks for the information on cycling as well! All the websites i had been browsing where contradicting eachother and not really applying to my delema.

Answer 1

You may as well put him in the tank and start the cycle - it won't be any worse then his conditions in the bowl - better since there will actually be oxygen and more water volume to dilute toxins. I imagine you change the water frequently now, so there is no issue with water differences. Wait until the temperatures are tn=he same and there is no need to float them first.

Right now the best way to reduce the stress is to do water changes every day to keep ammonia down, but do it without removing him - use a syphon to take out 1/3 of the water or so each time.

I don't know what kind of filter you have, but if you can get filter media for it from an established tank, this would take care of your cycling problem because bacteria would be introduced. If it's a hanging filter, add used foam to it. If it's an undergravel, add used gravel to your tank. Most fish stores would help you out with this if they want your business again - bring it home in a bag of water, just like a fish. I still cant' figure out why people go through so much effort to cycle a tank when it can be so easy. This advice goes largely ignored, which is too bad.

Answer 2

To properly cycle a tank takes weeks, not 24 hours. As long as you have water conditioner to remove chlorine and the water temperature is about the same as he's in now, I'd go ahead and move him.

Don't just dump him in, because the change in water chemistry will shock him. Instead, dump out (down the drain)about 1/2 of the water he's in now, then slowly add water from the tank, dump out about half again, and slowly refill. Then, once he's had a chance to get used to the new water, you can put him into the tank.

You must be a very nice person to rescue an abandoned fish and buy him a tank!

Answer 3

Put him in the new tank. He's already stressed from the bowl and the filtered tank will give more oxygen. 24 hours will not cycle the tank anyway. Thy cycling will take 4-6 weeks. I assume you have treated the water. If you are waiting 24 hours for the chlorine to evaporate, that process really doesn't work well and if you're in an area that treats with chloramine instead of chlorine it doesn't work at all. There will be less stress for him in the tank. Meanwhile, he's suffering from ammonia poisoning and oxygen depletion in the bowl. You might still have to do frequent water changes but he'll be better off in the tank.

Answer 4

You need to add chemicals to the water to de-clor (take out the chlorine) it. You can get this in the pet section of your grocery store. Usually this makes the water safe immediatly to put the fish in. Goldfish are a hardy animal and unless it's dying right now it just might be ok. Read the lable on the chemical to make sure it's instant. Most of them are. then you can put it in the water right away. Also goldfish can breath by going to the surface. They will also eat food off the bottom. So don't add anymore stuff to the bowl, overfeeding can cause death. Get it in the aquarium as soon as possible then a pinch of food a day is sufficiant.

Answer 5

Cycling takes longer than 24 hours, and without a fish in the tank, it really isn't possible.
After 24 hours, the chlorine should have evaporated, so it is ready for him. A fast way to dechlorinate and reduce stress is to use a product like API StressCoat. Also in the case of gold fish, something like AmmoLock is good to keep high ammonia levels less toxic. Finally, you can speed up the cycle time from by about 30% using StressZyme.
http://www.aquariumpharm.com/en_us/productCategory.asp?categoryname=WaterConditioners

Answer 6

I'm really sorry for what you are going through right now. Just one snippet of info I would add is that your tank won't cycle until something alive is in it. Cycling is the name we give for when different type of bacteria that help with fish waste are building a stable colony in your water, filter, gravel. If there is no food for the bacteria(fish waste) there will be no bacteria. So yes putting the fish in the tank was good advice. If you did use tap water make sure you used a dechlorinator and most of what you can do is wait.

Answer 7

Hi Zankara, Isn't it awful how some people treat living creatures? how fortunate you came along when you did-he is a very lucky little fish. I won't confuse you with extra info, you already have plenty of good advice & it sounds like the little chap is doing fine in his new home with your TLC, I'm sure he appreciates it!

What I would say is one of the best ways to keep ahead of any problems that may arise (& they invariably do!) is to join one of the many Goldfish forums, one listed below as an example where you will always find immediate & friendly, constructive help from experts.

Once he's settled, in addition to his flakes you might like to try him with a little frozen bloodworm or brine shrimp (defrosted in a little tank water) as well as tiny pieces of cooked, shelled pea or cauliflower. Good luck to you both.

Answer 8

whatever you do hes gonna get stressed, get a sandwich bag like the kind fairgrounds keep fish in and transfere him into it with the water hes already in, im not sure what a cycle test is so cant answer on that one but anyway fill up the tank (not with freezing water) and sit the bag with him in it in the tank for about an hour so the water temperature dont shock him then all you can really do is hope for the best, its better to get it done now than for him to relax and then get all stressed out as he may not settle, he will stay at the bottom for a while because hes stressed, good luck

Answer 9

Sorry but feeder goldfish are sometimes common goldfish and can get huge. I think a 40 gallon is to small for them. Dont add anything else. If they are not commons, and are just minnows or some that stay very small, you could add 2 Black Moores but thats it.

Answer 10

pats on the back for the rescue! gold fish dont need oxygen but a filter will help keep your tank clean.it would be best to let the new tank get to room temp,where did the ammonia build up come from?cover his bowl with a dark cloth till you get ready to put him in the new one.i dont think you have anything to worry about.good luck,dont let any one tell you that you are not a good person.you have a big heart.