My friend needs help!!

I was talking to my friend at school today and we were talking about our fish. He has 1 goldfish in, I think a 5gal tank (or maybe slightly bigger, not sure :-\). He was saying that the fish looks as if its loosing its scales and that he isn't eating properly. He is wondring if there is anything he can do to help it?

Any ideas what this could be?

He does water changes once a week, but I'm not sure if he tests the tank. Ill ask him about that tomorrow.

Thanks,

Gwenz  (and my friend!)

P.S. - He doesn't have internet so he can't come on here himself. :-\

 

A goldfish in a 5 gallon tank ... is a "no-no". I don't know what kind of a disease it may have, but it may be getting sick from poor water quality. If his weekly water changes are small, they're probably not enough for a goldfish in a 5 gallon tank. How large is the goldfish so far? If it's still young, it will soon grow way too large for a 5 gallon tank. If he can, tell him to test his water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

 

just was wondering how can 1 gold fish be too big for a 5 gallon tank I mean back in the day they sold 1 gallon drum to keep 1 gold fish in for many years without filter or anything so if it worked back then why can't it work right now just wondering I'm not being a smarty pants because I respect isabella she gives great advice and has helped me a lot , I was just wondering about that thanks =)

 

Orangeson, I respect you as well (and all of the Fish Lore members) . But just because you respect me, of course, doesn't mean you have to agree with me on everything I say. People can disagree and still respect each other

Now, the Goldfish. The reason a 5 gallon tank is too small for this fish is because it grows up to 15 inches ... Do you realize how large a 15-inch fish is? Imagine it living its entire life in a tiny 5 gallon tank. A fish like this produces A LOT of wastes - way too much for a 5 gallon tank. This fish will swim in its own wastes in a 5 gallon tank. Goldfish need something around at least 50 gallons to have happier and healthier lives. Many fish will survive in small tanks, but they'll be unhappy, they'll grow stunted (which is extremely unhealthy), and they'll die prematurely most likely of some disease due to poor water quality. Would you want to live that kind of life of suffering? Imagine yourself being closed in a tiny closet - your ENTIRE life. Well, this is the reason fish need to be provided with a appropriate homes as well.

 

Yes I know this and have told him about it before, but he thinks I'm being silly and that he's fine. > I've tried persuading him to gey a bogger tank, but he just doesn't believe me so I don't think he will change his mine. Maybe I could persuade him to do bigger and more frequent water changes. :-\ That at least would mean his water would be cleaner. I know it's not good for the fish but I can't see me being able to convince him unfortunately. :-[

I've asked him about testing the tank and he sayd he'd do it tonight, so ill be able to give you the results tomorrow after school when i've seen him.

Thanks (from both of us)

Gwenz

 

I haven't spoken to him on the weekend, and because it was Comic relief / Red nose day on friday I didnt get much of a chance to speak to him. Ill talk to him tomorrow and tell you of any updates.

I hope its ok. :-\

Thanks

Gwenz

 

Well, unfortunately the fish died. :'( I wish I could have done more to help him, but I didn't know what to do. :-\

:'( :'( :'(

Gwenz