SO, a few days ago I got a lil fat goldfish. He was a happy fish and stayed at the top of my 5 gallon aquarium, waiting for me to feed him. Him and my two other goldfish and algae eater were very happy.
Then the new one, Prince Albert, died. And Chester and Lily are suddenly very lethargic and uninterested in food or anything, and are missing scales. i'm terrified, i love these fish to death, but I really don't want them to die. Please help me.
2007-09-15 11:07:20 · 7 answers · asked by Nikki G 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
If all these fish are in the 5 gallon tank, you'll need a much larger tank for them, and soon.
Goldfish are capable of growing to 9" or more in an aquarium, and you'll soon run out of room. It's a myth that the fish will only grow to the size of their tanks.
Goldfish are also big waste producers, and although bacteria in a tank will help convert the wastes into less toxic forms, there simply isn't enough room in a 5 gallon tank to have the amount of bacteria needed to convert the wastes of one, let alone 3 goldfish.
I think that's probably what happened in your tank - the third goldfish was one too many at the size they are (currently) and the ammonia they produced killed the one, but is affecting the others - you should do a 50% water change as soon as possible! I'll write more, but you need to get on the water change!
ADDITION:
Because of the size goldfish reach as adults, you should allow 20 gallons of room for the first goldfish, and 10 gallons for each additional goldfish. Although you don't mention what type of algae eater you have, none are really suited to being kept with goldfish. If what you have is a pleco, the common varieties of these get 18" long. If it's a Chinese algae eater, they get around 10", but only eat algae as juveniles - as they mature, they eat the slime coats off other fish in the tank, which leaves them open to infections, if it doesn't kill them outright (usually the latter only happens with smaller fish). Both of these, as well as the otocinclus catfish all require heaters so the water is above 76o, but goldfish are a coldwater fish, and ideally, they should have temperatures below 70o.
2007-09-15 11:15:19 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, way too many fish for that size of tank. You can only handle about 3 inches of fish in a tank that size.
Also, there is probably a problem with the water quality. Did you use de-chlorinator?
It may be possible your new fish introduced a disease into the tank as well.
2007-09-15 11:15:17 · answer #2 · answered by Laura S. 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hi there,
firstly did you use a water conditioner?
i think you need a bigger tank as goldfish can grow pretty big. have you been cleaning the tank out regular as goldfish can be very dirty. poor water conditions can cause fish to lose scales and go off food. do a water change and try and get a bigger tank if you can. best of luck with your fish.
btw i love your fishys names. ive named all mine too lol
2007-09-15 11:38:00 · answer #3 · answered by *mommy to 3 boys* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
goldfish are fish that need a lot of space, especially if you have multiple fish. you can either A) put them into different tanks or B) get a really big tank for them to have lots of room. you should also try cleaning the tank or changing the water.
2007-09-15 11:15:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dickweed? you serious? your water is out of balance. You may loose the fish, but if you decide to start over use the right water treatment, float your fish before you let them go, and don't over feed them. Goldfish are not that hard to take care of.
2007-09-15 11:16:57 · answer #5 · answered by Eddie J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too small of a tank i would upgrade to a 20 gallon or atleast 10
2007-09-15 11:11:49 · answer #6 · answered by Chris M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
dont listen to her if anything your tank is too big. get some dickweed from your local pet store.
2007-09-15 11:14:17 · answer #7 · answered by Liam E 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋