My niece had a goldfish that died suddenly. He started getting black spots on him and then his top fin dropped. He seemed to 'act' fine, but then died. We believed it was a parasite but not sure. What would be the best thing to do with the tank so that this won't happen if any other fish are put in it later? Thanks in advance for any serious advice!
2007-08-19 15:32:25 · 9 answers · asked by tina s 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
While it could have been a parasite, the more likely suspect is poor water quality. As goldfish create more waste than any other fish, they create more ammonia, which in turn, helps create poor water quality. Also, overfeeding can add to poor water quality as does improper cleaning techniques. Black spots are a sign of ammonia burn, which comes from poor water quality. Parasites will quickly die off when there is no organism in a tank off of which it can live. Also, if you simply let everything dry out, all diseases will die as well. There is no need for boiling or bleach, etc. It doesn't sound like your water was cycled, or at least in the best parameters, so you won't be losing anything by letting it dry out. Before getting anymore fish, especially goldfish, it would be wise for you and your niece to read up on the nitrogen cycle and how to properly cycle a tank so that you are putting the new fish in the most healthy of water. Also learn about water changes, proper tank cleaning and maintenance and how to identify and treat diseases so that if her fish gets sick again, you'll better understand how to help it. Good luck!
2007-08-19 16:50:08 · answer #1 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have a filtration system then there is no need to clean the tank, what kind of illness did your goldfish exhibit? They are usually very hardy. If the problem was one of nitrates than a water change was the only thing to help. How ever. You need to use water that has set out all night or some declore drops, unless you have well water. Than you are good as long as the water is warm enough. Than you need to add some Fritzyme to the water to make sure they have good bacteria to keep the nitrate level down and you don't want to add to many fish. The rule is 1 for every 5 gallon. So for your 4 fish you would have needed a 20 gallion tank and an inch of gravel in the bot om so your good bacteria have plenty of room to live.
2016-04-01 08:09:34 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a heater, and get the temperature up to 90 degrees
Add 1 tablespoon aquarium salt to every gallon of water, so if she has a 10 gallon, add 10 tablespoons of salt.
Leave it that way for at least 5 days, with every day of 25% partial waterchange
After 5 days do a 75% water change, turn the heat back down, let it sit for another day, and your tank is fine for a new goldfish
If you clean out the whole thing you would need to start over with cycling
Hope that helps
Good luck
EB
2007-08-19 16:33:21 · answer #3 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you're not in a rush to buy new fishes, you just need to wash everything with tap water and let it dry for couple of days (sun it if possible). As long as it's dry, you would have got rid of those pest by the time you need to use it again.
2007-08-19 15:51:09 · answer #4 · answered by dragonfly_sg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You want to make sure that whatever you use isn't going to affect the silicon holding the glass together. Bleach is probably okay but I used to use isopropyl alcohol to sterilize tanks. You'd want to do that in a well-ventilated area and of course rinse thoroughly. Whatever you use make sure to get every square millimeter of glass otherwise it could all start over again.
2007-08-19 15:46:17 · answer #5 · answered by kevpet2005 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bleach. After 24 hours exposed to oxygen, bleach breaks down into sodium products, which can then be rinsed away. I would suggest a good bleach scrub, a good rinse, wait 24 hours or until dry, and then another rinse. Gravel, plastic plants, decor, etc. should either be thrown out or scrubbed with bleach. Live plants should be thrown out. The filter and air pump must be bleached as well, and the filter cartridge replaced.
2007-08-19 15:45:41 · answer #6 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
what ever you use do not use soap products i did that with one of my old tanks and couldn't keep any fish
2007-08-20 04:08:58 · answer #7 · answered by nathan c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go with bleach. It'll kill almost anything. Be sure to rinse VERY well though.
2007-08-19 15:39:48 · answer #8 · answered by Jeramoo 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Bleach.
P
2007-08-19 15:39:07 · answer #9 · answered by PK 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋