My goldfish is sleeping alot lately in the day, is this a bad sign?

Hello I purchased a small goldfish about 2 months ago she is in a 5 gallon tank and has a filter and a heater set at 27 C. A few days ago she was acting really slow hardly moving and she seemed to have swim bladder disease so I did not feed her for a day and continued feeding her peas for about 3 days, later on I found out it was due to the temperature which used to be at 24 but was far too cold for her so I increased it to 27 and she was back to normal and super active for the next 2 days but today and yesterday I have noticed she has been sleeping a lot in short bursts but whenever she sees me she becomes super active and seems to be normal, I did a 10 percent water change yesterday. But she's been sleeping a lot in the morning but is super active later on in the day. I also started adding rock salt to her tank to reduce her stress but i'm not sure what the problem is. Also I feed her once a day (at night) a small pinch of fish flakes and sometimes mixed with peas, I mix the food in aquarium water so that it sinks and she doesn't gulp any air. Also I do not know what to do with temperature because if its too low (24 C) she starts twitching (it's not flukes) and if its to high like 27 im guessing its making her sleepy? Is there also any other way I could improve the way I take care of her if i'm making any mistakes? Can someone please help me out, thank you.

 

While I don't normally play tank police, im just going to say it. A 5 gallon tank is too small for goldfish. I'd wager your issues are going to come down to water quality.

 

Goldfish really do not thrive well at that temperature, they are cooler water fish. Their metabolism is built for colder waters. And as already stated they are extremely messy fish so a 5 gallon aquarium is totally unsuitable and likely to be slowly poisoning the fish by virtue of it swimming in its own excrement over a short time, thus water quality will be badly affected which in turn will badly affect the fish' health & wellbeing

 

What are those temps in farenheit?

 

What are those temps in farenheit?

Hi, if you have it enabled, look to the right side column, we have a conversion chart there, or you can look here https://www.fishlore.com/ConversionCalculator.htm#form1a

 

Could you please fill out the emergency template? Aquatic Emergency Template | Freshwater Fish Disease and Fish Health Forum | 376562 (fishlore.com)
In order to help we really need to know your exact water parameters and what your maintenance is like.

Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? The tank is 5 gallons
How long has the tank been running? This tank has been running for 2 months now
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? 26 C
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.) One goldfish

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? I do a water change every weekend
How much of the water do you change? about 10-15% (2-4 liters every weekend)
What do you use to treat your water? I use a few solutions, #1: dechlorinator, #2: a solution for nitrifying bacteria which I add every 5-7 days. I also sometimes add a cloudiness remover solution which also prevents algae. All are branded aquadene.
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? Water

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? No
What do you use to test the water? I have not yet found a testing kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate or PH in my local pet store.
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia: I do not know
Nitrite: I do not know
Nitrate: I do not know
pH: I do not know

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? Once a day
How much do you feed your fish? a pinch, not too much, not too little
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Vitakraft premium gold flake-mix
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods? Yes sometimes I feed her frozen peas (only when she was constipated) but now I plan on feeding her frozen peas once a week.

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? 1 month and 3 weeks
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? Yesterday morning
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? She's bottom sitting/sleeping a lot in the day.
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? No she seems to have a healthy/normal appearance.

Explain your emergency situation in detail. (Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now) A week ago she was acting up a bit, she was not swimming straight and was not moving too much she was also twitching but it was not flukes she did not show full symptoms of it, I fed her peas and she slightly improved I also gave her medicine to treat parasites just incase it was internal, I added rock salt and I was advised by the pet store workers to increase the temperature to 28, the previous temperature I set for her was 24. I increased it and she became very active and was normal for about a day. The following day (yesterday) and today she is bottom sitting/sleeping a lot throughout the day but in really short bursts. When she sees me she becomes extremely active and super normal. I'm not sure what's going on. Also can you guys please tell me what I need to improve. This is my first fish and I am aware I definitely need to find a water testing kit, I am currently trying to purchase and find a bigger tank like 20 gallons, what other things could I do to ensure my goldfish is healthy and lives a long life?

 

Hi, if you have it enabled, look to the right side column, we have a conversion chart there, or you can look here Aquarium Calculator - Fish Tank Volume, Heater Size, Chiller Size & More!

Thanks!

Now blessed with that information, I can say that 24 isn't "far too cold". They can go much colder than that without issue. I'd go with your low end over the high end for sure.

 

27c is 80.6f

Far too warm for a coldwater fish, so not surprised the poor thing is asleep. Temp of around 21c max will be healthier for the fish.

 

First of all, welcome to the forum. I have a couple of points.

• As indicated above, that tank is too small for a goldfish. I'm sure you didn't know, so please don't feel like you're being attacked, but it's the plain and simple truth. Given good conditions (which it won't get in a small tank), it wouldn't take long before it's too large to comfortably turn around in your tank.
• Also as indicated above, goldfish can thrive in a range of temperatures, but they generally prefer it cooler than most commonly kept tropical aquarium fish (goldfish are a variety of carp, and not tropical).
• You mentioned it being sleepy, or sleeping, several times. Fish don't really sleep, so please elaborate on what you mean. If you just mean it's staying in one place and not moving around, that's normal.

 

First of all, welcome to the forum. I have a couple of points.

• As indicated above, that tank is too small for a goldfish. I'm sure you didn't know, so please don't feel like you're being attacked, but it's the plain and simple truth. Given good conditions (which it won't get in a small tank), it wouldn't take long before it's too large to comfortably turn around in your tank.
• Also as indicated above, goldfish can thrive in a range of temperatures, but they generally prefer it cooler than most commonly kept tropical aquarium fish (goldfish are a variety of carp, and not tropical).
• You mentioned it being sleepy, or sleeping, several times. Fish don't really sleep, so please elaborate on what you mean. If you just mean it's staying in one place and not moving around, that's normal.

Yes I have realized the tank is way too small, I am currently trying to find her a bigger tank about a 20 gallon tank. And sleeping I mean she sits in the bottom corner of the tank and stays in one place/doesn't move for a few minutes then starts swimming again. I am still a bit confused for temperatures. My bedroom has air conditioning so it is usually cold in the room, so is 24 a good temperature for the water?

 

Yes I have realized the tank is way too small, I am currently trying to find her a bigger tank about a 20 gallon tank. And sleeping I mean she sits in the bottom corner of the tank and stays in one place/doesn't move for a few minutes then starts swimming again. I am still a bit confused for temperatures. My bedroom has air conditioning so it is usually cold in the room, so is 24 a good temperature for the water?

• Moving the fish to a 20 gallon tank will certainly help. I'd suggest a 20 long to give more swimming room. At some point you might consider a larger tank, but that will work for a while.
• As others indicated, it's possible that bad water quality is a problem, but as long as the fish looks healthy I wouldn't worry too much about it not moving around much.
• You don't need a heater for a goldfish tank inside your house.

 

Yes I have realized the tank is way too small, I am currently trying to find her a bigger tank about a 20 gallon tank. And sleeping I mean she sits in the bottom corner of the tank and stays in one place/doesn't move for a few minutes then starts swimming again. I am still a bit confused for temperatures. My bedroom has air conditioning so it is usually cold in the room, so is 24 a good temperature for the water?

If your room is that warm, you don't need a heater in the aquarium, room temperature will be fine. They are coldwater fish and can handle a frozen pond, so no real worry about how low the temperature gets such as at night or in winter

 

If your room is that warm, you don't need a heater in the aquarium, room temperature will be fine. They are coldwater fish and can handle a frozen pond, so no real worry about how low the temperature gets such as at night or in winter

Okay thank you so much for all the information you guys have provided. However I am a bit confused still. She seems to be twitching when I did not have a heater,after I installed a heater and set it at 24 she seemed fine for about a month she was very active but started to twitch again. It was not flukes though, she did not show any other symptoms of it.

 

Okay thank you so much for all the information you guys have provided. However I am a bit confused still. She seems to be twitching when I did not have a heater,after I installed a heater and set it at 24 she seemed fine for about a month she was very active but started to twitch again. It was not flukes though, she did not show any other symptoms of it.

Given that the fish is in such a small aquarium, her behaviour is likely to be an indication of bad water quality rather than temperature...."twitching" could be that she is uncomfortable due to high ammonia levels, which is very possible with such a small volume of water and a very messy fish

What are your water parameters and how often/amount are you doing water changes?

 

Given that the fish is in such a small aquarium, her behaviour is likely to be an indication of bad water quality rather than temperature...."twitching" could be that she is uncomfortable due to high ammonia levels, which is very possible with such a small volume of water and a very messy fish

What are your water parameters and how often/amount are you doing water changes?

I have filled out this form for all information. I have now set the temperature lower 23-24 C
Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? The tank is 5 gallons
How long has the tank been running? This tank has been running for 2 months now
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? 26 C
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.) One goldfish

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? I do a water change every weekend
How much of the water do you change? about 10-15% (2-4 liters every weekend)
What do you use to treat your water? I use a few solutions, #1: dechlorinator, #2: a solution for nitrifying bacteria which I add every 5-7 days. I also sometimes add a cloudiness remover solution which also prevents algae. All are branded aquadene.
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? Water

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? No
What do you use to test the water? I have not yet found a testing kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate or PH in my local pet store.
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia: I do not know
Nitrite: I do not know
Nitrate: I do not know
pH: I do not know

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? Once a day
How much do you feed your fish? a pinch, not too much, not too little
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Vitakraft premium gold flake-mix
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods? Yes sometimes I feed her frozen peas (only when she was constipated) but now I plan on feeding her frozen peas once a week.

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? 1 month and 3 weeks
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? Yesterday morning
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? She's bottom sitting/sleeping a lot in the day.
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? No she seems to have a healthy/normal appearance.

Explain your emergency situation in detail. (Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now) A week ago she was acting up a bit, she was not swimming straight and was not moving too much she was also twitching but it was not flukes she did not show full symptoms of it, I fed her peas and she slightly improved I also gave her medicine to treat parasites just incase it was internal, I added rock salt and I was advised by the pet store workers to increase the temperature to 28, the previous temperature I set for her was 24. I increased it and she became very active and was normal for about a day. The following day (yesterday) and today she is bottom sitting/sleeping a lot throughout the day but in really short bursts. When she sees me she becomes extremely active and super normal. I'm not sure what's going on. Also can you guys please tell me what I need to improve. This is my first fish and I am aware I definitely need to find a water testing kit, I am currently trying to purchase and find a bigger tank like 20 gallons, what other things could I do to ensure my goldfish is healthy and lives a long life?

 

OK.....right...

Well the first thing that jumps from that is the non cycled aquarium and the missing test kit. If unable to buy a kit from your local petshop, they should be able to test the water for you, just get a very clean or new pot and take a sample to them for testing, I doubt they will charge you for it but you never know. Finding your water quality is essential if you are to find out what is happening to the fish.

The 20 gallon is likely too small longterm. These fish can grow fairly quickly, so at least 30 to 40 gallon aquarium is what you would be advised getting otherwise you will be changing aquariums more frequently and that costs you more to do.

Absolutely no need for the heater, room temperature is perfectly fine for a goldfish.

Water changes, especially in the 5 gallon really need to be 50% every 3 days given that you have no test kit and the strange behaviour is likely to be ammonia in the water....as already said, the goldfish is extremely high waste producing.

If your local petshop cannot or will not test the water sample then try and find an online supplier and get one ordered, ideally API liquid tester which includes the ammonia. Paper test strips are not very reliable but if nothing else available then will work but make sure they have an ammonia test ability over and above the usual nitrite/nitrate etc

 

I'd say pagoda pretty much covered it. Unplug the heater, get a larger tank, and get an API liquid test kit. After you get that test kit use it daily, and do water changes large enough and often enough to keep the combined ammonia and nitrites below 1.0 ppm. In the meantime I'd suggest 50% at least every 3 days, but more often certainly won't hurt.

You can stop adding the bacteria if you want, though it isn't hurting anything.

What kind of filtration do you have?

 

Everyone has pretty much covered the root of the issue and given solutions. One thing I will also suggest is researching the nitrogen cycle since I see on your profile it says you do not know about it. This will help you understand how important your water quality is so you can prevent these kinds of issues in the future, especially since over time poor water quality will kill your fish.

 

Yes thank you for all the research and information. I will definitely do some more research and get everything settled as soon as I can. And I have a Boyu submersible filter JettsPapa.

 

Yes thank you for all the research and information. I will definitely do some more research and get everything settled as soon as I can. And I have a Boyu submersible filter JettsPapa.

I'm not familiar with that filter, but I was asking because it's important to not replace filter media if you don't absolutely have to. When you throw it away you're also throwing away a big portion of your beneficial bacteria.

 

Oh, I'm not sure. The filter I have is a simple built filter. All it has is a motor and a biochemical filter cotton inside of it and an oxygen tube. It just blows bubbles and collects the waste through the tiny slits. I just picked up the most recommended by the pet store.

 

I agree with those concluding it is the quality of the water and not the cooler water causing what you are seeing. Please don't think I am trying to be mean. Lots of folks start out just as you have.

What you are doing is a fish in cycle in a tank much too small for the kind of fish you are cycling with. I highly recommend you change out no less than half the water in this tank every other day until you can get something to test the water with. Sadly your water pet is slowly being poisoned by its own waste.

Please take a few minutes to read the first post in this thread. Fish In Nitrogen Cycle Simplified | Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle Forum | 414083 It will explain what is happening and what you need to do to not only get this tank cycled but also how to protect your fish while doing so. There are many folks here that will gladly help you. Just ask questions and we will do our best to answer them.

 

Yes I totally understand and I do not find anyone being mean, I am very happy to have come here to learn about all my mistakes and fix them to make sure my fish is healthy. I have now made a 50% water change and ordered the water testing kit and am still looking for a tank. Thank you so much for all the help and I will make sure to read that post ASAP and definitely ask more questions if I need to.

 

Yes I totally understand and I do not find anyone being mean, I am very happy to have come here to learn about all my mistakes and fix them to make sure my fish is healthy. I have now made a 50% water change and ordered the water testing kit and am still looking for a tank. Thank you so much for all the help and I will make sure to read that post ASAP and definitely ask more questions if I need to.

I know and understand that finding all this out has probably knocked you sideways a bit but you'll get there, try not to get too upset over what has happened, we have all been in your situation. Fishkeeping isn't as easy or straightforward as many think it is, its a steep learning curve and many many stumbles along the way.

Its great that you have the test kit on the way and you have started your water change routine, once you have the larger aquarium you can start from the beginning using the thread that mattgirl posted for you to follow and in time all will be well with your fish and you'll be able to really enjoy taking care of it and keeping it healthy & happy

Don't give up, we are all here to help when needed and as always, there is no such thing as a dumb question cos we would rather you ask questions and not sit getting stressed out unsure what to do