Jackie Frost

Did a water change this morning. Molly my black moor goldfish seemed fine. Tested the water with liquid testers. 0 Amonia and 0 Nitrates. This afternoon I caught Molly resting on the gravel twice. She's acting normal now. (Swiming around ...scavanging all of that good stuff). But I'm on alert now. Is she sick? Do all fish rest momentarily on the bottom sometimes? Maybe it's nothing ... She's acting fine now.

Lucy

I see from your aquarium info that you're lowering your pH.
If there's a big difference in pH from the water you're adding to what the tank is, your fish could show adverse effects.
I'm glad she's fine now.

Jackie Frost

Naw that's old. I'm not messing with the PH anymore. Some of the members here told me that was a bad idea. But can a fish be healthy and rest on the bottom of the aquarium occasionaly? That's what I'm really concerned about.

Oh and I'm cycling the tank. But amonia tested 0 this afternoon. Nitrates tested 0 too.

Lucy

Go ahead and bring your aquarium info up to date
What's your nitrite reading?
Maybe she was just a little scared with the water change?
It's really hard to say what was wrong.

Jackie Frost

Yeah, it's probably nothing. It's a funny thing. I was just contemplating the other day about returning her to the store once the cycle is over and getting new fish. (Including a betta.) I never would have gotten her in the first place, if I had known I could only have 1 goldfish for a 15 gallon tank. (I want a tank full of fish.) But now I realize I'm very attached to her, especially when she acts sick. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with her after the cycling is through.

Oh and I just brought my aqarium infor up to date. I didn't know you could update those things daily.

Lucy

I wouldn't advise a betta in a community tank, I think I pointed out the hazards to you in the other threads.
It's easy to get attached to them. Goldies have great personalities.

Jackie Frost

Yes Lucy, I read what you said about bettas and the betta information sheet. So I guess bettas are out though I would love to have one for a community tank. (I want a full colorful fish tank.) I want a betta, my 5 year old daughter wants a freshwater puffer (and I understand they need brackish water) and both breeds are too aggresive for a community tank ... Oh well. The truth is we're both pretty attached to Molly anyway. We'll probably end up keeping her, assuming she survives the cycling. She is acting very healthy and active at the moment.

whisper

Please remember too that goldfish are cold water fish and don't handle high temps well. Infact if she is the only fish in that tank I would shut the heater off. Also the resting thing. If you do have the temp on a higher setting she may not be handling it well. If she is a fancytail Moore they sometimes, like the Betta's with heavy tails like to rest because of the added weight. Unless she is actually laying on her side I wouldn't worry about it unless it continues for more then a few days. Check your temp.

Jackie Frost

I know it. But the problem is I got wild temperature swings in my apartment. (The tank temperature goes 78 to 82 from morning to evening.) So I have to use the heater just to keep the temperature steady. I know 82 is quite high for goldfish, but what else can I do.

I tell you, if I knew then what I know now, I would have cycled the tank first, get a betta and some compatiable tropical fish (if there is such a thing as betta compatible fish. Yours do well, right?) I think your set-up is ideal.

P.S. Good luck with your platys. Sorry about the potineital ICH. Your pics look lovely by the way.

I'm soooo embarassed. I mistook you for another member named Whiskers. Please forgive me Whisper. I have no idea what your tank set-up is ...

Lucy

I think Goldies do ok fluctuating temps. I'm not sure how much of a swing is ok though. Gremlin would know.

You, me and MANY members feel that way. lol

Get a 5g tank in your future for a beautiful betta.
There's a fresh water puffer called a dwarf puffer.
Here's some info about them:
General Guide to Puffer Care
Guppies!

I predict a severe case of MST (Multiple Tank Syndrome) coming on.