What's Wrong With My Goldfish that keeps bottom sitting?

Hi, I'm new to goldfish keeping. And I have this goldfish that keeps bottom sitting...he just sits on the bottom of the tank. He'll swim around more to eat and sometimes when the other goldfish nudges him, he'll swim around more and...goes back down to the bottom.

Here are my parameters from literally 10 minutes ago:

Ph: 7.6 (maybe more because the color I got is a darker blue compared to the chart)
Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0.15 ppm (the color is closer to the 0 ppm but it isn't as dark as it says on the chart for 0.25 ppm so I just wrote a number between 0 and 0.25)
Nitrate: 40 ppm

Okay, I know what you're thinking...ph should be at max 7.5 and be lower, ammonia and nitrite should be at 0.
But I had this goldfish for a year and I've had good water after 3 days of 20% water change in a row. And even then, he's doing that... (not just that time, every time I did partial water change every 3 weeks)
I'll admit, I got this fish when he was already in horrible condition. He was in a little plastic bowl in complete poop water.... someone I knew moved to New York and left him with me and I wanted to give him a better home. In the beginning, after doing the nitrogen cycle, and putting him in a 55 gallon tank, he was swimming fine. Normal. And I added 2 additional goldfishes and he was fine until about 4 months ago.

So heres what I have if that helps:

55 gallon tank
Marineland canister filter c 360 (filters 360 gal per hour, for up to 100 gallons)
Wall air stone for 40 gal (the canister filter also makes bubbles from the water coming out)
Seachem prime
API stress zyme

Did anyone have this situation and how do you resolve it?

Thank you for reading all this...I know I wrote alot...

 

For the pH, use a liquid test kit, and test the High Range pH. (Since it is a very dark blue). I doubt that pH is the issue though, unless you recently moved far away. There should be absolutely 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite in your aqaurium. A fish tank that has been fully cycled, will only have nitrate. Can you take a picture of your goldfish? It would help to see it. How often do you do water changes, regularly? Also I hate to say it, but 55 Gallons is not large enough for goldfish.

 

Welcome to the forum!

Agreed with Cowfish, apart from that last part. If your Goldies are Fancies, or any of the smaller varieties, then your tank is plenty big enough. Do you know what type they are?

Also, your water change schedule - is it actually once every 3 weeks? If so, you'll want to be upping that to at least once a week. Goldies make a lot of mess.

 

Welcome to the forum!

Agreed with Cowfish, apart from that last part. If your Goldies are Fancies, or any of the smaller varieties, then your tank is plenty big enough. Do you know what type they are?

Also, your water change schedule - is it actually once every 3 weeks? If so, you'll want to be upping that to at least once a week. Goldies make a lot of mess.

there's really no smaller varieties. Goldfish go anywhere from 6" to 2ft. 55 gallons really isn't enough for 3 goldfish for life

 

'Smaller' in relativity. You don't generally see Ryukins and Orandas reaching 2 feet in length, not in my experience at least.

 

'Smaller' in relativity. You don't generally see Ryukins and Orandas reaching 2 feet in length, not in my experience at least.

I didn't say a specific type. Just goldfish in general get quite large.

 

For the pH, use a liquid test kit, and test the High Range pH. (Since it is a very dark blue). I doubt that pH is the issue though, unless you recently moved far away. There should be absolutely 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite in your aqaurium. A fish tank that has been fully cycled, will only have nitrate. Can you take a picture of your goldfish? It would help to see it. How often do you do water changes, regularly? Also I hate to say it, but 55 Gallons is not large enough for goldfish.

Hey, thank you so much for responding. Unfortunately, at the moment, I only got a photo of my 2 other goldfishes that are healthy right now, not the bottom sitting one. I'll definitely take a picture of him ASAP once I get home... I wish I could be doing immediate water changes now.
Once I get home, I'll do a water test and write the parameters again. Also, I have thought of getting another tank for 75 gal but at the moment, I won't be able to spend so much. I do water changes once every 3 weeks and do about 25%.

Welcome to the forum!

Agreed with Cowfish, apart from that last part. If your Goldies are Fancies, or any of the smaller varieties, then your tank is plenty big enough. Do you know what type they are?

Also, your water change schedule - is it actually once every 3 weeks? If so, you'll want to be upping that to at least once a week. Goldies make a lot of mess.

Okay, I was messing up for a whole year...I'll do a water change once I get home after work. Hope my ill goldfish isn't damaged for life. How much water changes do you suggest? I've been doing 25% water changes...do I up it to 50%?

The one that's bottom sitting, I have no idea...I'm sure he's a fancy goldfish. I'll send a picture of him once I get home. He doesn't have any special facial features like telescope eyes or a big brainiac look like the orandas. The other two, on the other hand, ...one is a black moor who turned completely orange as he got bigger (genes) and the other one is a oranda goldfish.

Also, thank you.

Okay, I was messing up for a whole year...I'll do a water change once I get home after work. Hope my ill goldfish isn't damaged for life. How much water changes do you suggest? I've been doing 25% water changes...do I up it to 50%?

The one that's bottom sitting, I have no idea...I'm sure he's a fancy goldfish. I'll send a picture of him once I get home. He doesn't have any special facial features like telescope eyes or a big brainiac look like the orandas. The other two, on the other hand, ...one is a black moor who turned completely orange as he got bigger (genes) and the other one is a oranda goldfish.

Also, thank you.

Also, the one that is bottom sitting has a round body like a fancy goldfish. I wasn't specific in details with him. And completely white.

 

Okay. We will be able to specify for sure when you have the time for a picture. Have you noticed any different colorations of your Goldfish's poop? What color is it?

 

Okay. We will be able to specify for sure when you have the time for a picture. Have you noticed any different colorations of your Goldfish's poop? What color is it?

I've noticed that their poop are more white than usual... I just read that it could be a sign of stress/infection.

 

Yes, it can be. It also happens (sometimes) when you feed veggies, or switch foods.

 

Yes, it can be. It also happens (sometimes) when you feed veggies, or switch foods.

Btw, thank you so much for sticking around to help out my goldfish. I have an all day shift here so the pictures for further info won't be up til much later in the night. If you happen to not respond anymore, I understand. I am dragging it out after all. I'll still post a pic regardless.

 

there's really no smaller varieties. Goldfish go anywhere from 6" to 2ft. 55 gallons really isn't enough for 3 goldfish for life

3 fancy goldfish can definitely live in a 55 gallon. Comets, no, but fancies, certainly.

 

no. They cannot. They will not live a full happy life. I think you should reevaluate how you keep fish.

 

no. They cannot. They will not live a full happy life. I think you should reevaluate how you keep fish.

Can you please specify exactly why 3 fancy goldfish cannot live in a 55 gallon with adequate filtration and regular water changes? Is it something about space or water quality? And what experience do you have with fancy goldfish? Frankly, comments like yours are nearly unheard of in the goldfish hobby. I'm interested in hearing your reasoning.

And excuse you, but I've been keeping, grooming, and showing these bad boys for years and have had nothing but phenomenal growth, health, and quality with my fish. From my experience, and with the advice of many other breeders and collectors, I am confident that you can keep 3 happy healthy fancies in a 55.

 

GoldFiska

The dimensions of a 55 Gallon are not adequate for Fancy goldfish. Fancy goldfish max out at around 12 inches. The width of a 55 gallon is around 12 inches. When they are full grown, they will not be able to turn around, and with three of them, there will be no room in the aquarium. This is one of the reasons.

 

I agree with everyone about water quality but really about the tank size. Every experienced aquarist (including breeders) I have talked to with maybe one exception says that 30 gallons for one Fancy Goldfish and 10 gallons for each additional one. This rule of thumb works, I've used it, and other experience aquarists use it. This has been argued time and time again and time and time again it has been proved that Fancies do not need 100 gallons. I guarantee you if you ask every member on this forum most of them will give you the same answer as I did. Orandas are big, I get it. But they aren't that big. A 55 is perfect for 3 of them. They reach 12 inches MAX including the tail. 8-10 inches is common and that's what I see 90% of the time. I have kept them in anything from 20 gallons (I know that is way too small but I was a beginner), to 100 gallons and I had 2 get over 9 inches. A foot or more is incredibly rare.

 

GoldFiska

The dimensions of a 55 Gallon are not adequate for Fancy goldfish. Fancy goldfish max out at around 12 inches. The width of a 55 gallon is around 12 inches. When they are full grown, they will not be able to turn around, and with three of them, there will be no room in the aquarium. This is one of the reasons.

And how many fancy goldfish do you know that get 12 inches long consistently? Most fancies aka ryukins, tosakins, pearlscale, Moors, butterfly telescopes, etc, only hit the 5-8 inch mark, rarely even hitting the 8 inch mark. Orandas will sometimes hit the 8 inch range but a foot long is incredibly rare, I assure you.

I agree with everyone about water quality but really about the tank size. Every experienced aquarist (including breeders) I have talked to with maybe one exception says that 30 gallons for one Fancy Goldfish and 10 gallons for each additional one. This rule of thumb works, I've used it, and other experience aquarists use it. This has been argued time and time again and time and time again it has been proved that Fancies do not need 100 gallons. I guarantee you if you ask every member on this forum most of them will give you the same answer as I did. Orandas are big, I get it. But they aren't that big. A 55 is perfect for 3 of them. They reach 12 inches MAX including the tail. 8-10 inches is common and that's what I see 90% of the time. I have kept them in anything from 20 gallons (I know that is way too small but I was a beginner), to 100 gallons and I had 2 get over 9 inches. A foot or more is incredibly rare.

Well said. Soon enough I swear someone will say 2 fancies need 100 Gallons.

 

Not that there is anything wrong with putting 2 Fancies in a 100gal Nothing wrong with that at all.

 

Not that there is anything wrong with putting 2 Fancies in a 100gal Nothing wrong with that at all.

Haha, that is true. It's not required at all, but if that's what you wanna do, you do you

 

GoldFiska Danjamesdixon

I understand your point of view, and it things like this that make the Fishkeeping hobby so great. Different beliefs but want the same outcome; happy fish. It is little disagreements like this that expand my knowledge, for I am not a goldfish keeper, but I keep other fish. I guess it is just hard for me to see it being okay for the Goldfish, but if you keep goldfish, and have them involved in your life, I am sure you will know best. Thank you for sharing this with me, as it opened a new door to more thoughts. Maybe even a different view point.

 

GoldFiska Danjamesdixon

I understand your point of view, and it things like this that make the Fishkeeping hobby so great. Different beliefs but want the same outcome; happy fish. It is little disagreements like this that expand my knowledge, for I am not a goldfish keeper, but I keep other fish. I guess it is just hard for me to see it being okay for the Goldfish, but if you keep goldfish, and have them involved in your life, I am sure you will know best. Thank you for sharing this with me, as it opened a new door to more thoughts. Maybe even a different view point.

Thanks for sharing your point of view as well. Honestly I do love debates like this. Fishkeeping isn't an exact science, and whether we disagree or not, it never hurts to share our opinion. Live and learn

 

Yes, it can be. It also happens (sometimes) when you feed veggies, or switch foods.

I did a 50% water change. And I will post a pic of my goldfish that's bottom sitting.

Here are the parameters right before I did a water change"

Ph (high range): 8.2
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0.25
Nitrate: 40

These are the parameters right AFTER the water chnage:

Ph (high range): 8.2
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 40

Temperature: 78 degrees (F)

I use the API master kit to check the water.

The parameters...are looking not so good still. The poop is green right now because I fed them peas.

I wonder wha

I've noticed that their poop are more white than usual... I just read that it could be a sign of stress/infection.

If I posted a reply twice, that was by accident and via phone and now I'm on the laptop.

Here are the water parameters right before I did a water change:
PH (high range): 8.2
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0.25
Nitrate: 40

I did approximately 50% water change. I use the API Master Kit for the water checking.

These are the parameters right AFTER I did the water change:
PH (high range): 8.2
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 40

I used the Seachem Prime (dosed twice because where I live have more chloramine) and also used Stress Zyme.
The water still doesn't look good according to water testing kit... I may have to do partial water change everyday until the testing kit tells me it's good.

His tail was really tattered at one point and it grew back. It was getting tattered when he was bottom sitting few months back (I had sand and that might have made it worse)...and after doing partial water changes for 3 days straight, he was swimming around good for awhile, it grew back. And he's back to bottom sitting AGAIN about a week ago.

 

Do you have ammonia or nitrates in your tap water? If you did a 50% water change and ammonia and nitrates are 0 out of the tap, it's mathematically impossible to have your ammonia and nitrates not decrease by half.

 

And how many fancy goldfish do you know that get 12 inches long consistently? Most fancies aka ryukins, tosakins, pearlscale, Moors, butterfly telescopes, etc, only hit the 5-8 inch mark, rarely even hitting the 8 inch mark. Orandas will sometimes hit the 8 inch range but a foot long is incredibly rare, I assure you.

I have a 180 gallon goldfish tank. Each and every one is between 9-12 inches and counting. So it can and will happen with a lot of space. Even at 5-8 inches, the guy above somewhere has a point about 55 bring cramped. Just take a minute and think about 3 8 inch fish in a tank that size. That'd be like putting 3 jack dempsey cichlids or 3 Severums or something in a 55. surely you wouldn't do that.

 

Personally I feel it has more to do with fooprint than gallons. A standard 50 gallon tank at 36" x 18" would be better than a standard 55 gallon at 48" x 12 inches. Imo.

 

Goldfish aren't like cichlids, though, really, so you can't really campare them. They don't swim fast, and some, not even particularly well. I could see a JD or Sev needing a lot of swimming space. They are strong, powerful fish. Goldfish ... umm yeah. They are adorably round and wiggly.

OP: I'm sorry you're having such a time with your beautiful guy. I hope you figure something out.

 

If I posted a reply twice, that was by accident and via phone and now I'm on the laptop.

Here are the water parameters right before I did a water change:
PH (high range): 8.2
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0.25
Nitrate: 40

I did approximately 50% water change. I use the API Master Kit for the water checking.

These are the parameters right AFTER I did the water change:
PH (high range): 8.2
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 40

I used the Seachem Prime (dosed twice because where I live have more chloramine) and also used Stress Zyme.
The water still doesn't look good according to water testing kit... I may have to do partial water change everyday until the testing kit tells me it's good.

His tail was really tattered at one point and it grew back. It was getting tattered when he was bottom sitting few months back (I had sand and that might have made it worse)...and after doing partial water changes for 3 days straight, he was swimming around good for awhile, it grew back. And he's back to bottom sitting AGAIN about a week ago.

Have you tested your tap water for ammonia?

There really shouldn't be any ammonia in your aquarium. Fish don't like to breathe it any more than we do. Either it's being introduced or produced.

 

I have a 180 gallon goldfish tank. Each and every one is between 9-12 inches and counting. So it can and will happen with a lot of space. Even at 5-8 inches, the guy above somewhere has a point about 55 bring cramped. Just take a minute and think about 3 8 inch fish in a tank that size. That'd be like putting 3 jack dempsey cichlids or 3 Severums or something in a 55. surely you wouldn't do that.

Wow those are BIG fish. I have a hard time believing they are fancy goldfish. What kind of fancies are they, if you don't mind me asking? I would love to see a pic of them.

 

Do you have ammonia or nitrates in your tap water? If you did a 50% water change and ammonia and nitrates are 0 out of the tap, it's mathematically impossible to have your ammonia and nitrates not decrease by half.

Hi, thank you for responding. I just tested my tap water with the same API master kit.
It turns out my tap water does have ammonia.

Ammonia: 0.50
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0.20

I bought API Ammo Lock... I don't know if I should use that or just use Seachem Prime. I've been double dosing the Prime because the water in my city has a lot of chloramine.

Have you tested your tap water for ammonia?

There really shouldn't be any ammonia in your aquarium. Fish don't like to breathe it any more than we do. Either it's being introduced or produced.

I guess it has been introduced. I just tested my tap water with the same water testing kit.

Ammonia: 0.50
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0.20

You think if I go and purchase gallons of filtered water from a local aquarium store would help? Probably.
I am going to do another partial water change today, probably 50%.
The temperature is at 80 degrees (F). You think I should get a heater that could keep the settings at 75 degrees. From what I read, 75 is a good temperature for goldfishes.

 

It's tough if you've got ammonia coming in with your tap water. You'll either have to treat it with an ammonia neutralizer like Prime, or like you said, get water from a different source. If you do the latter check things like pH and hardness compared to what you've got in the tank. Most fish adapt well to differences, but the change needs to be much slower than when those things all match.

Goldfish do like cooler temps than most tropical fish. 75 is an ideal temperature. I don't think 80 puts them under that much stress, but maybe goldfish experts (of which I'm not) will disagree, and if they do I pre-defer. Cooling a tank is much more difficult than heating it. You'd need a chiller, and they can be really expensive. An alternative method is running fans so they blow a strong air current over the surface of the water, causing evaporative cooling.

 

It's amazing to me. I don't know anybody that can have goldfish I guess. I personally don't anyone anymore who has an 100 tank in their home. I am sure there are some, but with the smaller homes that a lot of the folks I know are downsizing to, there just isn't room. I know that the site will explode with " I've got a 100 gal tank" but I just don't personally know anyone who does anymore. But I know I few people who have goldfish in 10 and 20 gal tanks. And they seem fat and happy.

 

Can you please specify exactly why 3 fancy goldfish cannot live in a 55 gallon with adequate filtration and regular water changes? Is it something about space or water quality? And what experience do you have with fancy goldfish? Frankly, comments like yours are nearly unheard of in the goldfish hobby. I'm interested in hearing your reasoning.

And excuse you, but I've been keeping, grooming, and showing these bad boys for years and have had nothing but phenomenal growth, health, and quality with my fish. From my experience, and with the advice of many other breeders and collectors, I am confident that you can keep 3 happy healthy fancies in a 55.

excuse me nothing. I personally own a 180g goldfish tank. All of them are 9-12". Goldfish will grow to a foot. It's not uncommon despite peoples thinking. 3 goldfish will not live comfortably in a 55 gallon. One because of waste. It's just not practical to deal with all that waste in a 55g. Two because of how long their tailfins can get. Quote long. So assuming you want decorations or plants, 12" of tank depth isn't going to make them happy. If you can't have proper tanks for your fish, I recommend you find a dog to keep instead

 

excuse me nothing. I personally own a 180g goldfish tank. All of them are 9-12". Goldfish will grow to a foot. It's not uncommon despite peoples thinking. 3 goldfish will not live comfortably in a 55 gallon. One because of waste. It's just not practical to deal with all that waste in a 55g. Two because of how long their tailfins can get. Quote long. So assuming you want decorations or plants, 12" of tank depth isn't going to make them happy. If you can't have proper tanks for your fish, I recommend you find a dog to keep instead

You haven't really answered my question though. Are you talking about long-bodied goldfish? Because that is a completely different topic.

I'm talking about egg-bodied goldfish, which don't get 9-12 inches long usually. Like I said before, what type of fancy do you have that get 9-12 inches consistently? and do you have a pic of them? I'm not saying you're not credible but this is one of those things I have to see to believe.

 

Easy Mike1995 we all have opinions on how to raise our fish. It sounds like in this thread everyones fish are healthy except for ballpoint, they are just expressing their opinions.

Also I have noticed that the bigger the tank you have, the bigger the fish will get. I have seen large koi that get even bigger than 12". Of course they live in a pond. Imagine how big platy get in the wild. Hope your goldfish pulls through Ballpoint.

 

Also I have noticed that the bigger the tank you have, the bigger the fish will get. I have seen large koi that get even bigger than 12". Of course they live in a pond. Imagine how big platy get in the wild. Hope your goldfish pulls through Ballpoint.

Size depends on their environment, of course, but genetics counts too.
With fancy goldfish most usually do not get bigger than 6-8 inches, even with a 100+ gallon tank.

With koi, which need over 800 gallons of space when full grown, it is not unusual for them to get 3 feet long

 

I would really like to see some 12" goldfish.

 

It's tough if you've got ammonia coming in with your tap water. You'll either have to treat it with an ammonia neutralizer like Prime, or like you said, get water from a different source. If you do the latter check things like pH and hardness compared to what you've got in the tank. Most fish adapt well to differences, but the change needs to be much slower than when those things all match.

Goldfish do like cooler temps than most tropical fish. 75 is an ideal temperature. I don't think 80 puts them under that much stress, but maybe goldfish experts (of which I'm not) will disagree, and if they do I pre-defer. Cooling a tank is much more difficult than heating it. You'd need a chiller, and they can be really expensive. An alternative method is running fans so they blow a strong air current over the surface of the water, causing evaporative cooling.

Alright then. I'll get some water from my local aquarium store. Once I get it, I'll check the parameters from that water and compare to what I already have and try to neutralize it. I'll look up if it's necessary to get a chiller/cooling fan.

Thanks for you input. I'm literally trying everyone's advice..

Alright... I'm gonna do everything everyone's been suggesting. Maybe even get a bigger tank, upgrade to 75 gallons.

Let's say, my water parameters gets good again... and he's still bottom sitting... what would you goldfish experts do?
I will not euthanize him...I don't know if I can do that.

I'm sure if the water conditions are good, the fishes are good. That's the whole point, I know... but let's say he's still not even after all that.
I did get him from a horrible condition, inside a little plastic bowl filled with his own poop...the guy really didn't care...but cared enough to not abandon him with no one. I wonder...if his condition could be permanent? His immune system is soooooo bad now that whatever I do won't cure him?
I have my faults too... I got him, thinking I could try to help him without really doing thorough research on how to care for a goldfish.

 

Alright... I'm gonna do everything everyone's been suggesting. Maybe even get a bigger tank, upgrade to 75 gallons.

Let's say, my water parameters gets good again... and he's still bottom sitting... what would you goldfish experts do?
I will not euthanize him...I don't know if I can do that.

I'm sure if the water conditions are good, the fishes are good. That's the whole point, I know... but let's say he's still not even after all that.
I did get him from a horrible condition, inside a little plastic bowl filled with his own poop...the guy really didn't care...but cared enough to not abandon him with no one. I wonder...if his condition could be permanent? His immune system is soooooo bad now that whatever I do won't cure him?
I have my faults too... I got him, thinking I could try to help him without really doing thorough research on how to care for a goldfish.

I had a Betta once that I rescued from a cup in Walmart, and even he had really bad swim bladder issues. He couldn't get off the ground for more than 3 minutes, and he lived for 6 years. Even in perfect water your Goldfish might never recover completely, but if he is eating and pooping he can still live a long and happy life, even like that. I would suggest getting a smaller tank (like 30 gallons) for him and keep the others in the 55. That way you can make sure he gets enough food and isn't bullied.

 

Alright then. I'll get some water from my local aquarium store. Once I get it, I'll check the parameters from that water and compare to what I already have and try to neutralize it. I'll look up if it's necessary to get a chiller/cooling fan.

Thanks for you input. I'm literally trying everyone's advice..

Alright... I'm gonna do everything everyone's been suggesting. Maybe even get a bigger tank, upgrade to 75 gallons.

Let's say, my water parameters gets good again... and he's still bottom sitting... what would you goldfish experts do?
I will not euthanize him...I don't know if I can do that.

I'm sure if the water conditions are good, the fishes are good. That's the whole point, I know... but let's say he's still not even after all that.
I did get him from a horrible condition, inside a little plastic bowl filled with his own poop...the guy really didn't care...but cared enough to not abandon him with no one. I wonder...if his condition could be permanent? His immune system is soooooo bad now that whatever I do won't cure him?
I have my faults too... I got him, thinking I could try to help him without really doing thorough research on how to care for a goldfish.

I'd never even consider euthanizing a fish that wasn't clearly suffering with no chance of recovery. If a fish wants to lie around on the bottom of the tank all day that's fine with me.