Hello all,
I recently decided to get some goldfish, i thought id done enough research but as I keep reading this is a very common mistake, i think my main problem would be the fact I mixed breeds, I bought 3 fish, a common goldfish, a black moor and what i think may be a Red Cap Oranda (his red cap isnt raised like i see on the pictures online so it might nto actually be one) I forget the size of the tank I bought now, but i was assured by the lady who served me in PetsMart that it was plenty big enough. I washed all the gravel, fake plants and tank throughly, then once filled it with water I let it stand for about 30 hours and added the correct amount of tap safe. After the first day of putting the fish in it dirtied up quite fast, after adding a filter in then cleared up very well. From what i can gather im pretty sure i havnt been over feeding them. I have read quotes saying that Orandas and Moors are not ideal beginner fish since purchasing them, I realise I should ahve done more research now. Last night I noticed the Black Moor was acting quite strange, he was pointing up at the surface a lot, he looked as though he was nibbling at something, i set the filter to blow air in the tank regularly and the water looks pretty clear, so I think its quite well oxegenated, they have been in there for 2 weeks with no problems, so I was thinking even if perhaps i hadnt let the tank stand empty long enough, surely any inpurities would have worked their way out by now? After a while he was slowed down even further and was barely moving, just hovering around the surface. Eventually the other two fish would move up to have a little nibble at him, which would kick start him into a very breif little flip enough to move away then float around not moving, at a strange angle, half on his side floating towards teh top. I then moved him into a seperate bowl, 1.)Incase he had some sort of disease to stop the others catching and 2.) To protect him from the others biting him. It wasnt long before he died, floating in his side. Could he have been wriggling around the surface tryin to get more air in his gills? He was acting very strange, wriggling fast near the surface then floating stationary. Considering its been 2 weeks now wouldnt any impurities from the gravel/water/ornaments have cleared up by now, or else proved fatal previously? Sorry this is a long post, but I was hoping someone might know enough to help me take action (if its needed) to save the other two.
Many thanks for your time all
I recently decided to get some goldfish, i thought id done enough research but as I keep reading this is a very common mistake, i think my main problem would be the fact I mixed breeds, I bought 3 fish, a common goldfish, a black moor and what i think may be a Red Cap Oranda (his red cap isnt raised like i see on the pictures online so it might nto actually be one) I forget the size of the tank I bought now, but i was assured by the lady who served me in PetsMart that it was plenty big enough. I washed all the gravel, fake plants and tank throughly, then once filled it with water I let it stand for about 30 hours and added the correct amount of tap safe. After the first day of putting the fish in it dirtied up quite fast, after adding a filter in then cleared up very well. From what i can gather im pretty sure i havnt been over feeding them. I have read quotes saying that Orandas and Moors are not ideal beginner fish since purchasing them, I realise I should ahve done more research now. Last night I noticed the Black Moor was acting quite strange, he was pointing up at the surface a lot, he looked as though he was nibbling at something, i set the filter to blow air in the tank regularly and the water looks pretty clear, so I think its quite well oxegenated, they have been in there for 2 weeks with no problems, so I was thinking even if perhaps i hadnt let the tank stand empty long enough, surely any inpurities would have worked their way out by now? After a while he was slowed down even further and was barely moving, just hovering around the surface. Eventually the other two fish would move up to have a little nibble at him, which would kick start him into a very breif little flip enough to move away then float around not moving, at a strange angle, half on his side floating towards teh top. I then moved him into a seperate bowl, 1.)Incase he had some sort of disease to stop the others catching and 2.) To protect him from the others biting him. It wasnt long before he died, floating in his side. Could he have been wriggling around the surface tryin to get more air in his gills? He was acting very strange, wriggling fast near the surface then floating stationary. Considering its been 2 weeks now wouldnt any impurities from the gravel/water/ornaments have cleared up by now, or else proved fatal previously? Sorry this is a long post, but I was hoping someone might know enough to help me take action (if its needed) to save the other two.
Many thanks for your time all
) I think the goldfish guideline is 20 or 30 US gallons for the first goldfish and then another 10 US gallons of water volume for each added goldfish. Growing the filter bacteria takes between 3 weeks and 2 months and then, with testing, it can be determined whether the filter is ready for fish.
