Listless Goldfish

[uncleg]

I have kept fish for years, however I consider myself new to hobby as I am trying to do everything correctly.

The setup is a 55 gallon bare bottom tank, two Aquaclear Fluval 110 gal HOP filters, including two foam pre-filters and a air wand. The water is crystal clear. I feed Omega one sinking goldfish pellets(presoaked) and peas(blanched and shelled). I change the water once a week, generally an 80-90% water change. My ammonia and Nitrite levels are not measurable, I use an API Freshwater master test kit. I cycled the tank for two months before it was ready for fish. I have well water. the fish are three quarter size Fantails aka The Stooges.

Here is the problem, I have had them for about a month and a week. Up until the last week they appear to have been doing well, very active, eager eaters and their color had gotten much richer looking, they were kind of dull when purchased. Now it seems they just want to sit on bottom and show little interests in food often will eat it and spit right back out, this includes the pellets and peas.

I have turned off one of the filters for a short time thinking I may have had to much flow and was tiring them out, however that did not make a difference.

Any idea of what is going on?

 

[Colin_T]

When fish become listless and sit on the bottom of the tank, it's usually poor water quality.

Try doing a 75% water change every day for a week or two. Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

Test the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH and post the results (in numbers) here?

Tanks should have a layer of sand or gravel on the bottom to give the fish a solid bottom to the tank and make them feel more comfortable. You don't need a thick layer and 1/2 inch of substrate will do the job.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Hi, I’m a goldfish lover too. I agree with Colin. You didn’t mention what your nitrate reading is. We need to know that. Goldfish are diggers and need a substrate to scavenger in. They may be bored. We really need that nitrate reading though. It can be the cause. Do the big water changes as Colin advised and let’s see about the nitrates.

 

[uncleg]

OK I tried to post some photos of the water test, but I am doing something wrong. These numbers were taken before water change.

PH is in the 7.6 range.

Ammonia 0 ppm

Nitrite 0 ppm

Nitrates 5.0 ppm

High PH 8.4

Is my PH messed up? Admittedly I am a bit confused on what I should be checking?

I have well water so no chlorine/chloramine, however my water has a high iron content and is filtered and softened to make it suitable for consumption. Untreated water comes out the taps brown/orange.

Just as info all three seemed more active when I got home last night, I did not feed them yesterday. They also seemed more active this morning. Could I be feeding to much?

Thanx for the assistance

 

[seangee]

Did you change water?
If you can keep the ammonia / nitrite / nitrate readings as they are that's fine. Don't worry about the pH. The pH and high pH tests test for the same thing. So if you get a reading of 8.4 you should only test high pH and not regular pH (that test probably only goes up to 7.6).

You may be over feeding - most people do

 

[FishGuest5123]

Could very well be. I feed mine about 5 pellets each 2 times a day but mine are very big...6” long. Try 2 pellets per fish 3 times a day. Are they pooping? Try feeding them a blanched, deshelled pea each. This helps with constipation.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Could very well be. I feed mine about 5 pellets each 2 times a day but mine are very big...6” long. Try 2 pellets per fish 3 times a day. Are they pooping? Try feeding them a blanched, deshelled pea each. This helps with constipation.

Oops, I meant feed 2 times a day, not 3.

 

[uncleg]

Yes I may be overfeeding, they are pooping. I will cut back on the amount of food they receive.

Yes I did change water after I tested the water.

 

[uncleg]

I am sorry to say, I lost two of the Fantails, one Sunday and on this morning. The other fish appears to be doing well. eating and very active. I wish I knew what I did wrong or went wrong. I guess I will wait about a month to make sure the last one is healthy before I get him a buddy.

 

[Colin_T]

You need to test the water for iron and any other chemical or contaminant that might be in there. High iron levels will kill fish and the iron level should be no higher than 1ppm (1 mg/l). If you have live plants in the tank, they will use the iron and help to reduce the level.

You could filter the water through Activated carbon before using it. The carbon will remove a lot of the iron and any other chemicals in the water.

 

[uncleg]

You need to test the water for iron and any other chemical or contaminant that might be in there. High iron levels will kill fish and the iron level should be no higher than 1ppm (1 mg/l). If you have live plants in the tank, they will use the iron and help to reduce the level.

You could filter the water through Activated carbon before using it. The carbon will remove a lot of the iron and any other chemicals in the water.

Thank You, my water is very iron rich, despite being filtered and treated. I will order something today to test for that and other contaminants.

 

[Colin_T]

Buying individual test kits might cost a bit of money. Check online for companies that do water testing. Quite often they are cheaper and give a more comprehensive list of items in the water.

If you try carbon, look online for companies that sell Activated or Highly Activated carbon in large bags because they sell it a lot cheaper than the pet shops do.

 

[uncleg]

Thanx again!