Newbie to keeping fish

[ClaireCodd]

My 6yr ild DS got two goldfish for his birthday. We set up the tank 3 days before we got them as we were told by shop. It has a filter. One of the fish have already died. :-( ive feed the twice in the week we have had them. What did i do wrong? My DS is away till mon so does not no, im hoping to replace it before he get back. Also the other likes to limply hang by the filter, so much so i thought it was gone too and went to fish it out with net, untill it swam away. They are normal goldfish btw.
Any advice would be greatful. Thanks

[waitingtobeamummy]

Check your filter is not on too high and dragging them towards it. Take the dead fish back to the shop do they can see what is wrong. If you didn't keep it then take a water sample. It depends how much you're feeding them too. Double check the amount (a pinch of flakes can be different for different people)

[MamaPizza]

Hello, I am sorry to say but the water is not safe for your fish and they are slowly being poisoned. I am far too tired at this time of the morning, but I am going to link you to a thread a few weeks back with the same problem

Linky! Please read my replies and you know what I mean, it's all about the nitrogen cycle and how to keep the fish safe if you decide to keep him.

I will be back later after a few more coffees and answer questions if you have any.

One important question I have is - how big is your tank? The minimum tank size for one goldfish is 140litres!

[EauRouge]

Yes, what MamaPizza said. Unfortunately after 3 days you tank will not have been ready despite what the shop told you (many shop staff are not trained at all).

This article explains what you can do, just scroll down to the bit that saves 'how to save the day and the fish in an uncycled tank'.

One option is to take the fish back to the shop and give them a massive bollocking for them to look after until the tank is cycled.

MamaPizza covered pretty much everything she's right, goldfish do get VERY large and so need a huge tank.

[Marne]

Another case of 'pet shop giving the wrong info'

Take thefish back to the shop, they have giving you the wrong info, a fish tank takes 4-6 weeks to be ready for fish, also goldfish need a huge tank (as they grow and grow), i'm not sure what size tank they have sold you but chances are its too small.

I would take the fish back to the shop, buy a small heater for the tank and get a few guppies ,they need less space and are easy to look after, they are also more intersting for children as they are brightly coloured and very active.

If the shop has sold you the wrong size tank and given you the wrong information then you are entitled to a full refund and items are not fir for use.

[MamaPizza]

I have only learnt from the best, EauRouge