nancybabe

Hii all,

I have recently upgraded to a 10g tank from 1g tank.I have bought 4 new comet gold fish..Since Iam a aquarium beginner, I bought these fish which was given no guarantee of their lifespan by the store owner..So after 4 days after purchase, I found one of gold fish was dead by sticking to air pump(water filter mount on airpump) of aquarium.
So Is this because air pumps in water cause electric shocks to fishes or Is he dead due 2 something else?

Plz reply..

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penuinzorr

do you know about the cycling process?

what are you water parameters? ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, temp?

id say more then likely it was an ammonia spike which killed it. also..you're tank is way overstocked. goldfish need 20g for 1 then 10g for each gold fish after that.

ive never heard of an air pump making shocks go into the water which would kill a fish.

agabr123

was the tank and equipment new or used? i doubt that there were any electrical shocks to your fish, however it is possible if some of the equipment was faulty.

IMO it's more likely though that they were suffering from ammonia poisoning like penguinzorr said or they were ill already. did you buy them from a feeder tank (lots and lots of goldies shoved into the same tank) or a larger tank with much fewer of them?

harpua2002

This is generally true for fancy goldfish, but comets get huge and are very messy. There is no way they could comfortably live in a 10 or 20 gallon tank for any length of time. They are best kept in ponds or very large aquariums.

nancybabe

my comets are of only 2 inches size and now that 1 fish is dead, ther r only 3 fish in a 10 gallon tank..Is this space not enough?.I dont think they r overstocked!

And yes this is a new tank and I have bought these fish from a feeder tank. I have also tested the nitrate levels before putting fish into tank..Its safe level said by the pet owner and now its only 4 days I have put them and suddenly this death..I dont think nitrate levels cause this death and the other fish are doing fine..

Amanda

It's most likely because the tank has not gone through the nitrogen cycle.
And yes, the tank is VERy overstocked. One goldie alone needs 20 gal., especially common goldies, which is what you have. It's not so much size, as bio-load that needs to be taken into account.

Fishies-for-me

Gold fish are huge waste producers.....even when small. You should only have 1 goldie in that tank ....and then be prepared for it to out grow the tank as goldies grow fast...good luck

harpua2002

As I mentioned, a 10 gallon tank is not enough room for them for any length of time.

Nitrate is the end product of the nitrogen cycle, and you won't be seeing any for a while unless it is present in your tap water already. Ammonia and nitrite are what you'll need to worry about at the moment. Here is an article that should help; it is imperative for the health of your fish that you understand how this process works. http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...41&pcatid=1041

I don't want to come across as rude here, but as I said, comet goldfish need a much larger tank than 20 gallons. Seriously. A 20 gallon would barely suffice for fancy goldies, but we're talking about a fish that grows to over a foot long with proper care. LA recommends 180 gallons, and I would agree with that for someone who doesn't have a pond to put them in.

Shawnie

I agree with the other posters...and heres a link for you to read to explain whats going on ...http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm..even tho your goldy babies look small now, they poo enough to waste the tank up fast...if you can find some prime, amquel + or novaqua+, you will need to start doing daily water changes to get through the cycle..then once that is complete, you will need to do a few weekly water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrates down because the goldies will always keep the tank dirty..unless you upgrade size wise, its the only way to keep the fishies alive and healthy..goodluck!

nancybabe

oh ok..So tell me wht kind of goldfish is suitable for 10 gallon tank..and also it is recommended by pet owner to change 20% water and vacuum the gravel every 1 month. Is this ok for my tank?

And also tell me does these fish consume more food??..I feed only once a day..Is this enough?

Shawnie

No goldfish can go in a 10 gal it will stunt his growth and his interior will continue to grow when his outside wont...how about some tetras? with some cories? once the tank is cycled, we can help more for stocking but the goldies wont work in there for now

goldies need to eat a few times a day but overfeeding them is going to make the tank worse...

nancybabe

What abt water changes?

My tank does nt have heater..guess only goldies can be kept?!
Suggest some goldy types plzz..

IIIHawKIII

well, unfortunately you are fighting an uphill battle on this one.

as we've all stated, goldies won't work. too much waste production. and you can't just not feed them as much. that's like not eating so you don't have to go to the bathroom.

also, feeder gold fish are kept in quite terrible conditions their whole lives and are usually just about to die when they get to the pet store.

if you don't have a heater, you can find a cheap one on ebay. i would suggest getting a submersible one. for a ten gallon tank, they shouldn't cost very much at all.

and i realize that the heater costs money, but having fish keep dying and not keeping them properly will cost a lot more in the long run. so get a heater, then get you some little guys to inhabit the tank. like shawnie said, tetras and cories would be ok. or just tetras and regular vaccuming. i personally like harlequin rasboras as they are very hardy.

the VERY GENERAL rule of thumb is 1" of fish per gallon of tank. BUT BUT BUT...this doesn't apply to all fish all the time. it doesn't apply to ANY goldfish.


BUT BEFORE ANY OF THAT...

you need to cycle the tank. get it so the bacteria in the tank can take care of the fish waste produced by the fish so it doesn't become toxic to the fish.

i know we've thrown a lot at you. but trust US. don't always take the advice of your fish store. some of them are shady and just want to keep you killing/then buying more fish. or chemicals to treat the sick fish, that wouldn't be sick, if they would tell you how to properly keep the fish.

by coming on here you've made a HUGE step in the right direction. just follow the advice you are given, read, read, and read some more. then you'll be much happier in your pursuit of this hobby.

nancybabe

But I like goldfish very much..nd thts why I chose a tank without a heater...!!

Amanda

You can have possibly one fancy variety in a 20 gal. long tank.
But those are a bit more expensive. Common "feeders" that you bought can reach over 12 in. in length & are best suited for ponds.

TFA101

Well, you don't have to stick with goldfish in an unheated environment. As othes have stated before, once you cycle your aquarium, you are still open to choices like stream loaches? i think thats what they are. White Cloud Mountain Minnows are another favorite of mine. You could also possibly keep a few zebra danios or glo fish, they can withstand temperatures as low as the mid 60's F (or as low as 18 C). You are not limited to just goldfish in an unheated tank, and with a ten gallon, I highly recommend White Clouds. They do not need a heater, and they produce very little waste. They are also quite hardy and live a good 5 years or so in proper care.

As for water changes, 15% every week should be the bare minimum since the tank is so small.

nancybabe

plz plz suggest type of gold fish..I will put only one if my tank is not suitable for a group..m desperate for putting goldy as my pet!

harpua2002

There is no variety of goldfish that is appropriate for a 10 gallon tank IMO. Sorry to have to tell you that. I've seen a black moor the size of a baseball before so I'd say that fancy goldfish would even be pushing it if the tank were 20 gallons.

I agree that white clouds would be a good choice for an unheated 10 gallon. They are fairly easy to breed too, so that could be an interesting project. I also agree with whoever recommended cycling the tank without fish. It's a lot easier on you and the fish.

TFA101

but the unfortunate truth is that nobody will be able to suggest goldfish because there are no goldfish types to suggest. Goldfish and koi come from a specific group of fish that can grow far too large to be in such a small environment. And even if you were to get goldfish against this information, it would be such a cruel thing to do as the tank would stunt its growth. Sometimes, we have to think of the fish's needs more than our wants, and take this information from somebody who wanted a school of bala sharks for his aquarium when he was younger (me). I had to pass them up because they got way too big. However, as soon as I can afford the bigger tank and space, I'll get a couple. But for now, I have to wait. I think the goldfish would be much happier in a tank that can accommodate the messy feeding habits and large size. Unfortunately, a 10 gallon tank just wont cut it.

Sorry, but its the truth.

joy1125

Nancy, you are getting sound advice here from many experienced fishkeepers. I hope you heed our advice. NO goldfish can live in a 10gallon.

You really don't want to have a pet that is suffering, do you ? Homing any goldfish in a 10gallon would be like putting a full-size dog in a puppy crate. They may not die immediately, but they would be cramped and unhappy, and if they had to live each day in there, they'd suffer a miserable existence -- they'd become ill, deformed and eventually die.

Same goes for goldfish. They'll be stunted and in poor health, and eventually die.

I suggest returning the fish to the store. Get a store credit for when your tank is ready for fish (proably take about 6 weeks or so for tank to complete it's cycle) Read up on the nitrogen cycle, Shawnie provided the link for you. While waiting for the tank to cycle, read up on tropical fish. And of course, you can come here for suggestions.... you'll gets lots of advice on what kind of fish would do well in your ten gallon!

nancybabe

but I saw goldfish kept in 10 gallon tank in the store?..Cant I put atleast 1 fish in my tank?

IIIHawKIII

the fish in the store are in temporary tanks waiting on people to buy them. not a permanent home.

you need to look at what you WANT versus what you SHOULD have. there is absolutely NO REASON you should condemn a goldfish to such a crappy life. more than enough people have told you that a goldfish won't work. sorry for being really forward and a bit abrasive, but we are all telling you what you don't wanna hear, but you keep ignoring it.

nancybabe

hmmm dissappointed but thts ok guys..I shall exchange these fish with other ones..

Thanku all for suggesting and helping me out..

ABCDemily

Absolutely no goldfish are suitable for a ten gallon. They are ridiculously large waste producers and comets grow to huge sizes.

IIIHawKIII

hey nancy, let us know if you have any other questions. we're here to help, not to ruin your fish keeping experience. we were just tryin to make it enjoyable for you AND your fish.

and if you are lookin at some new fish, just try and do some research on them before you get them. or you can ask some folks on here.

good luck and have fun.

jdhef

I used to keep fish back in the '70's and '80's, but apparently did a lot of things wrong. (There was no internet back then). I got back into fish keeping just over a year ago when my daughter won 2 goldfish at a school fair. I went to the petstore to by a "tank" for them and was sold a 2.5 gallon mini-bow. One fish died in a week and the other developed severe fin rot. (I didn't know about cycling back then either).

So to make a long story of ignorance (somewhat) short I bought an Fantail goldfish to replace the one that died. The two goldfish are in a 12 gallon tank, and seem to be doing well. I know this isn't proper, but it is really the best I can do for them. I considered taking them back to the store but decieded against it because 1) My daughter would be devastated and 2) Someone who may then purchase them is more than likely going to put them in a bowl and they will be even worse off.

In the end the choise is your, and know one here will hate you for having a golfish in a ten gallon tank. But the members here do try to make sure the fish's best intrests are looked after when giving recommendations and advise.

Good Luck!

gumby4973

i just think it may have been a bad fish i had a few when i have bought goldfish that just what happens as long as the others look ok u should be fine

joy1125

jdhef, I'm sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree on some of your points.

When a person decides to purchase a pet -- be it a dog, cat, rabbit OR fish, they have a responsibility to put the needs of the pet FIRST, and provide proper care.

A child being 'devastated' over the return of a fish, shouldn't be cause to keep a fish in an improper tank size. It could've been a good learning experience for the child-- the lesson being that a pet is a living thing, with certain needs that MUST be met in order to to kept in your care.

Your two goldfish in a 12-g isn't going to work. Reread this thread for the many reasons why.

Secondly, many posters gave good advice to Nancy on this thread, and because of that good advice, she made the right decision to return her goldfish, in exchange for fish that can THRIVE in her 10gallon.
Kudos Nancy!

now you go and basically tell her it's okay. Well, hate to be so blunt, but it's really not okay. I hope Nancy doesn't change her mind and think one goldfish in her 10gallon is okay, because you have 2 in your 12, that you say "seem" to be well.


Thirdly, nobody here "hates" anyone for doing anything out of ignorance. Our goal is to give advice in the hopes of educating someone to the point that they can make the right decision regarding the proper care for their pet fish.

Beth1965

Nancy,
This might help you out:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...NYXgsgPJh6SNCQ
You could print this photo and hang it on the tank.
Beth

jdhef

Joy, your points are well taken. First, I want to point out that I stated in my reply that it was improper, but went on to describe the two reasons why I chose to keep them.

Secondly, we had the Goldfish for a few months before I learned the error of my ways. At that point it is cruel to take the fish away from my daughter. She was only 8 at the time, and generally 8 year olds don't learn that valuable lesson.

I also believe that they will have a better life in my 12 gallon, then they will if they get re-purchased. The odds of someone getting the proper setup for goldfish from PetSmart is pretty darn slim. After all, they are the same people who told me 2 goldfish in a 2.5 gallon tank was fine.