beb

Hello,

Im sorry to bring up such an old thread... But this is the only link Ive found that has the exact same problem I have.

Problem is, I already have fish in mine. Over this long holiday weekend, my various goldfish who are supposed to be able to live for at least 7 days without food decided to nibble on each other over 4.5 days. I did leave them a 5 day feeding block which they didnt touch. A couple of them died yesterday, it seems as though it were due to injury (the fins were torn and it looked raw at the base of the fins). I did a 40% water change, added stress coat and checked the pH level (I am a noob so thats about all I know to do)... So this morning when I got in, I noticed white specks on the tank; I thought it was just air bubbles but when I took a close look at it with a flashlight, the picture in the first post is what I saw!

Is it something that I should worry about? Can I fix it with fish in the tank?

Any help is appreciated. Thank you....

Jess

beb, how long has your tank been up and running?
Its possible that your tank hasn't cycled yet. You need to understand the nitrogen cycle.
I have goldfish in the pond now but for the winters they would come inside.
They should be able to go that time without any food.
But also I noticed that you only have a 10 gal and depending on how many fish you have and what size they are. . . they could be completely stressed out.
Sorry. We will try and help but need more information.

beb

Hey Jess,

Its true - I did not know about Nitrogen cycle! I just started reading up on it!!!

I had 4 small goldfish (about 1.5in total length each) in the 10gal. This tank has been up and running for about a month now and they fish seemed to be happy until the holiday. They have a little rock to play and hide in, as well as a fake plant to swim through or rest on. When I started the tank, the only things I did were add stress coat, add the little bit of salt and then added small amounts of the new water to their water over a few hours so they could adjust before I put them in. 1 more just died and the last remaining one is one that got least beat up over the weekend. He is swimming around happily...

Im not sure if it is the fact that they attacked each other or the fact that I didnt know how to properly set up a tank. Maybe both? Sigh. Is there any way I can make sure the last fish doesnt die? I feel so bad that Im responsible for the other fishes death, especially since the first one to pass away was one that I had for almost 8 months now... The other fish were added when the 10gal was started up. I do vacuum the graveland clean/change water every couple weeks... What else can I do with my 1 remaining fish still in there!?

Sorry if my noobness is frustrating. I really do appreciate any help available as well as the information from you Jess!

Jess

Hi beb,
Since your guy is still in there. You need to do daily water changes of approximately 50%. Make sure you use water conditioner in your new water. The changing of the water will help take out the ammonia. Also its possible that high levels of ammonia can eat away at their fins. Its very toxic for them. When you're changing water try to use the same temp as your tank water, temperature changes can stress fish.
I hope one of the moderators sees your post because there's an additive you can add to your tank that will help neutralize the affects of the ammonia. I just can't remember what its called. Try a new post asking questions about setting up your tank uncycled. Don't feel bad you really meant well, its just important to read read read. Also keep asking questions. People on Fishlore are very helpful.
I hope you save your last little guy.
Its a pain in the neck, but really important that you do those water changes until your tank has cycled. Oh, did I mention you need a very good test kit, not the one with strips. API master test kit. This will help you to know when your cycle has begun, (I think you may be in the Ammonia and Nitrogen phase. Eventually ammonia will drop, then nitrite. Read up on this stuff as I can't explain it as well as others. It could take several weeks. . .
Hope I was of some help?
Best,
Jess

beb

Thanks Jess! You are a ton of help!

I did a 50% water change and added AmQuel that is supposed to take out Nitrates/Ammonia and a bunch of other stuff! I turned off the filter and turned on the air pump so that the stuff can circulate without getting filtered out by the carbon.

Hopefully tomorrow my fish will look better! This tank is at my work, so when I get off today Ill go pick up a test kit, seriously; thanks for all the info and tips Jess!

jdhef

Yes, it is recommended to have 20 gallons for the first goldfish and 10 gallons for each additional goldfish.

Also, it appears that you do not know about the nitrogen cycle. That is probably the most important thing to know when it comes to fish keeping. Your goldfish probably got ammonia pisioning and finrot due to the tank being uncycled.

Heres a link to an article that explains the nitrogen cycle:http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

EDIT: Oops...once again didn't notice there was a second page before posting.

Jess

beb, its good to circulate the stuff but if you turn off your filter all the stuff you're trying to grow will die (beneficial bacteria) So I would remove your carbon layer and leave your regular filter sponge in. The Amquel can circulate through that fine.
On second thought, not really knowing what kind of filter you have but if its the kind that contains charcoal in the filter, you just need to cut a hole in the filter and shake out the charcoal. (many folks here have done that including myself)

(Thanks and I'm glad I could help.)

Lucy

Hi beb, welcome to Fish Lore

I hope you don't mind, I've moved your question to a thread of it's own.
Your question deserves attention of it own and as you see our members are are happy to help.

It looks like you're in good hands.
Good luck

pinkfloydpuffer

I think the stuff Jess was referring to that helps with the ammonia is Prime.

gremlin

You can also get zeolite to put in your filter. It is sold at the stores under the brand name white diamond (black diamond is the charcoal). The zeolite absorbs ammonia from the water as the water moves over/through it. Also, goldfish can only survive for 7 days without being fed if there is enough algae or moss for them to eat. Goldfish do not have stomachs, so they really do need to have a little bit of food every day or every other day. If you need to keep your goldie in the 10 gallon, then I would suggest the zeolite since it will help with the ammonia levels, but goldies really do need more room than that. It sounds like the combination of too many fish in too small of a tank causing high ammonia levels coupled with not feeding may have caused ammonia poisoning which would have caused the fish to start losing scales and since they were hungry, and there was no other food that they recognized as food, they started picking at each other.