TheeLadyG
- #1
I thought I'd share my story here also, since Goldiemom asked me to show a pic of my fishes. I'm new to all this but learning all I can! Keeping goldfish is kind of its own thing, there is so much that doesn't quite apply to "general" or tropical fishkeeping! so:
I've been browsing this forum quite a lot to help answer questions I had about fish and fish tanks. I got thrust into fishkeeping rather unexpectedly. The short version:
My guy was leaving to walk his kids to the train when he suddenly ran back inside with a produce bag full of water. Someone had tied a goldfish in filthy water to a dumpster in the alley in the 40 degree weather. Working as fast as I could (I just happened to have a jug of distilled water on hand from a previous project) I got him into a container and began the furious journey of research, knowing basically nothing. I learned he was a fancy fantail, about 5" long, and very sick. Fin rot to his body in some spots, gasping, ulcers, broken blood vessels in his face and body. By the next day I had him in a 20L aquarium that I was treating with meds. He was doing better... until he wasn't. The same day I got a proper 30 gallon setup he passed away with large black patches forming over his face and body. From what I was reading he had severe ammonia poisoning, parasites, and possibly internal damage. I was basically a week-long hospice where he was able to pass in relative comfort (I hope). I'm not even sure if I could have saved his life even with what I know now.
..but that left me with a 30-gallon setup and no fish! I decided to set up the tank the proper way with all that I had learned so far with the intent of having 2 fancy variety goldies, a dragon-eye and a fantail. I did a fishless cycle on my tank for a grueling 29 days and obsessive water tests, until at last I had good readings. One week ago today I went to a nice local pet store and picked up 2 small fancy goldfish.
My setup:
30 gallons freshwater with a glass top and aquarium light
undergravel filter, 2 lift tubes with charcoal (good gods did I run into a lot of conflicting info on those)
airstone, 2" or so gravel, couple of decorations, 9 marimo balls
Feeding: cilantro, blanched spinach, duckweed (I had to save some of it out, they ate nearly all I bought in 2 days, haha) and Wardley goldfish flakes (I have Repashy on order).
Fish: Sun Wukong the Calico Fantail (So named because she(?) is very hyper and outgoing and reminded my guy of a monkey) about 2"
Copper the Dragon Eye Fantail (named for the color... he was nearly black at the pet store and he's slowly turning more metallic) about 2.5"
I also have Black Rascal, a rescue lion-head bunny who free-roams the house, Floyd the cockatiel who I actually caught under a sheet on a sailing ship (another crazy story) and his tiny attentive shadow, Parker the Parakeet (who was picked up half dead in a city park).
Today I'm going to do my first water change and gravel cleaning, and also dose my tank with API General Cure because my calico fantail is showing signs of parasites. Week One, here I am!
~G
I've been browsing this forum quite a lot to help answer questions I had about fish and fish tanks. I got thrust into fishkeeping rather unexpectedly. The short version:
My guy was leaving to walk his kids to the train when he suddenly ran back inside with a produce bag full of water. Someone had tied a goldfish in filthy water to a dumpster in the alley in the 40 degree weather. Working as fast as I could (I just happened to have a jug of distilled water on hand from a previous project) I got him into a container and began the furious journey of research, knowing basically nothing. I learned he was a fancy fantail, about 5" long, and very sick. Fin rot to his body in some spots, gasping, ulcers, broken blood vessels in his face and body. By the next day I had him in a 20L aquarium that I was treating with meds. He was doing better... until he wasn't. The same day I got a proper 30 gallon setup he passed away with large black patches forming over his face and body. From what I was reading he had severe ammonia poisoning, parasites, and possibly internal damage. I was basically a week-long hospice where he was able to pass in relative comfort (I hope). I'm not even sure if I could have saved his life even with what I know now.
..but that left me with a 30-gallon setup and no fish! I decided to set up the tank the proper way with all that I had learned so far with the intent of having 2 fancy variety goldies, a dragon-eye and a fantail. I did a fishless cycle on my tank for a grueling 29 days and obsessive water tests, until at last I had good readings. One week ago today I went to a nice local pet store and picked up 2 small fancy goldfish.
My setup:
30 gallons freshwater with a glass top and aquarium light
undergravel filter, 2 lift tubes with charcoal (good gods did I run into a lot of conflicting info on those)
airstone, 2" or so gravel, couple of decorations, 9 marimo balls
Feeding: cilantro, blanched spinach, duckweed (I had to save some of it out, they ate nearly all I bought in 2 days, haha) and Wardley goldfish flakes (I have Repashy on order).
Fish: Sun Wukong the Calico Fantail (So named because she(?) is very hyper and outgoing and reminded my guy of a monkey) about 2"
Copper the Dragon Eye Fantail (named for the color... he was nearly black at the pet store and he's slowly turning more metallic) about 2.5"
I also have Black Rascal, a rescue lion-head bunny who free-roams the house, Floyd the cockatiel who I actually caught under a sheet on a sailing ship (another crazy story) and his tiny attentive shadow, Parker the Parakeet (who was picked up half dead in a city park).
Today I'm going to do my first water change and gravel cleaning, and also dose my tank with API General Cure because my calico fantail is showing signs of parasites. Week One, here I am!
~G