If my goldfish's gills are flapping really fast, does that mean I need to aerate the water?

Question

My goldfish's gills are moving fast! what should I do?

I change the water, And feed regularly. What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

Clean the water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Fast gill movement does indicate your fish is working harder to breathe, but you need to figure out the reason why he's having a problem.

1) Lack of water movement - having a filter or airstone will circulate the dissolved oxygen at the top of the water to the rest of the tank. These don't add oxygen, that happens only at the water's surface. But unless you circulate the water, so it gets to other areas, that's where your fish has to spend it's time. And notice I said TANK. Even a small fancy goldfish needs 10 gallons, and a 20 or larger will be needed for it as an adult. Common (like the feeder) goldfish can get over a foot lomg.

2) temperature - goldfish are a coldwater species, and their water temperature should be 72o or lower. Heaters aren't needed. In warmer temperatures, the water holds less dissolved oxygen.

3) high ammonia and/or nitrite levels - true, especially for new tanks (less than 2 months old, or if you've used an antibiotic). These interfere with the ability of your fish to use the oxygen correctly. In new tanks, you'll need to change 25-30% of the water every week in normal conditions, more if you tend to overfeed your fish. And use a gravel vacuum to clean all the crud out of the gravel - what stays there decomp[oses and adds to the ammonia and nitrite. If you don't use a filter, you should be doing 50% water changes every other day.

4) water conditioner - if you use tapwater or treated water for the goldfish, make sure you use a conditioner to remove chlorine, or chloramine from the water: http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/chlor.htm And make sure you know which one is added - don't assume it's chlorine, because many companies are switching.

Answer 3

You may have a water quality condition. There may be too high of an ammonia or nitrite level. Use your test kit and check the levels,check your filter to see if it is running properly, start aeration and change out approximately 25% of the water volume now.

Answer 4

Yes, the poor thing is suffocating. I would put water in a glass jar and shake it vigorously to aerate it, then pour that into a bowl with the fish. That is just a first aid measure. Next I would change the water in the tank and turn on the bubble pump.

Answer 5

it seems like it under stress. Check to see if your tank has any ammonia in it.

Answer 6

Well....
Tank size?
Temp.?
Levels (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph)?