ds1 goldfish is swimming as close to filter as possible

[cheesesarnie]

he almost looks stuck to the filter but isnt. when you turn it off he swims away.
friend has suggested that hes trying to get oxygen and the reseason hes hugging it is because hes not getting enough and swimming away when its off is to find oxygen.
she said we needed a pump?

forgot to add, dh thought filter was pump?

Sounds like he's a weak swimmer, it could be that he's ill. Don't turn the filter off, all the good bacteria will die off.

Can you tell me a bit more about the tank- how big is it, how many fish, how long's it been set up and when's the last time you did a water change? If you've got a water test kit, what are the latest test results?

hes only one in there 40 or 50 litre tank(dh said). went to pets at home they suggested parasite or skin thing?
will get a water test kit.

thought goldfishes were supposed to be easy!

They are easy enough to care for given the right conditions- that's the part that's not easy! The myth is that they grow to the size of their tank. However, they actually grow very large and need a lot of space to stay healthy. Unfortunately 40-50 litres is not big enough for one goldfish. Here is a guide to how much space they need.

Did P@H not do a water test? Bit worried that they are attempting a vague diagnosis, treating a fish with the wrong meds can go so badly wrong. Water quality should be the first thing you check.

no they havent given me anything. i just asked advice. ive got to phone them tomorrow and take sample(is pee pot ok?).

maybe ive said wrong size then as its big?cant imagine that its not big enough?

oh 54 litres according to box(thankgod the children use every box for junk modelling!)

Nope, defo not big enough- sorry :( People are surprised at how big goldfish get because the ones in the shop are babies. Here is a fully grown goldfish next to one of those plastic bowls you can get. If you click on the other link I posted it's got a graph thingy of goldfish growth.

If they are kept in a tank that's too small then it causing stunting which can lead to all kinds of health problems and cause havoc with the water quality. They are so easy to look after and great fun in the right size tank. They live for ages and they can recognise people, they will even eat from your hand if you teach them how. They are well worth it if you've got the space :)

If you haven't got the space then there are ways to rehome them and there are smaller fish available that you could keep in a 54 litre tank.

wow! bit pissed off that shops dont mention that(fish came from aquatic place no pet shop).

It might be that they don't know, if they only ever see baby goldfish then they probably wouldn't suspect that they might get to almost a foot long. Sadly there's no legal requirement for pet shop staff to have any training at all. :(

thankyou. i dont know what to do.ds wont part from his goldfish-i wouldnt ask him too. but want goldfish to be ok obv

It's a tough one! If it's a common goldfish (the normal fish shaped one) then would a pond be an option? Either in your garden or a friend or relative so your DS can visit. Fancy goldfish (the fat, round ones) aren't suited to a pond but can be kept in slightly smaller tanks than common goldfish- you could get away with a 30 gallon one so around 3 ft long.

its a fancy tail one fat with a pretty silky tail