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Original poster

goldfish

16 replies

moonminmama · 04/08/2010 12:56

i have been given 2 goldfish by a friend. I have NO CLUE how to look after them. I cleaned them out an sunday but already the water is really murky and the fish are coming to the surface to breath. I have put 2 O2 tablets in the water since then and a bit of greenery.

They need cleaning again already, this isnt normal is it?

Please help!

OP posts:

RubberDuck · 04/08/2010 13:03

It is if they are in an unfiltered bowl, sadly

Goldfish need masses of tank space. At minimum, 10 gallons per fish (some people say 20 gallons for first goldfish and 10 gallons for subsequent fish) with a decent filter system as they are (as you have discovered) very messy fish.

goldfish care basics

Be aware that if you do get a new tank for them, even with a decent filter, you'll be changing 10-15% of the water daily for at least the first month until the good bacteria in the tank stabilises. You'll also need a good water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramines in all water added to the tank.

They are lovely pets, but sadly much abused. Properly looked after they should survive decades and grow very big. To give you an idea why so much room in the tank is required here's a full size fancy goldfish - non-fancies grow even bigger. Don't believe anyone who will tell you that they grow to the size of the tank - stunted goldfish have early and painful deaths.

Original poster

moonminmama · 04/08/2010 13:10

oh no!!! i felt bad enough when they were getting swished about on the journey home, now i feel awful! I cant afford to buy tank etc! I assumed because they are so common that they are easy to look after!

Dont get me wrong i am more than happy to clean them out twice a week (although even that upsets me, when the poor things get stressed when i change bowls etc - yes im a wimp!) but would hate to think i was causing them harm by keeping them in a small tank - which it is (just a glass bowl really) They were originally the centre pieces on the tables at her wedding. She had 8 and they all went to good homes like mine with children

maybe i should find someone who could take better care of them.

OP posts:

RubberDuck · 04/08/2010 13:17

This is why I hate fish being used as wedding decorations - they end up being given away as favours or worse, end up dying on the day due to heat exhaustion/lack of oxygen and stress.

I think, given that they are clearly in distress (gasping for air at the top) it might be a good idea to rehome them asap. Sorry, I know that's probably not the answer you were hoping for

If they're fancies they need a friend with a large tank. If plain goldfish, they could maybe go into someone's pond? (Fancies aren't suitable for ponds because they're much more delicate and also too slow swimming - will get bullied by the faster fish).

RubberDuck · 04/08/2010 13:18

You might also get a local fish shop to take them in if you can't find anyone else?

RubberDuck · 04/08/2010 13:20

(as in shop that sells cold water fish, not as in the chippy )

Original poster

moonminmama · 04/08/2010 13:21

my son will be devastated if i clean them out regularly will they not survive in this tank because of its size? Thankyou btw for your advice!

OP posts:

Original poster

moonminmama · 04/08/2010 13:23

i would really like to keep them and look after them but cant afford a tank. My mum has a tank with a filter. It isnt a huge tank but its 3 or 4 times the size of mine. Would they survive in that do you think? Sorry to ask a million questions, but you seem pretty clued up on it so Im taking advantage

OP posts:

sweetnitanitro · 04/08/2010 13:28

Depends how big it is, it needs to be MASSIVE. I used to keep fancy goldfish and they get to about the size of a tennis ball. Common goldfish get to about 10 inches long and really belong in ponds.

If you've got the space for a big tank (mine was a 4 footer! Had to get rid of it recently in anticipation of the new arrival) then Freecycle is a great place to start, there are always tanks up for grabs on there.

Hi RubberDuck

menaceandmayhem · 04/08/2010 13:29

Cleaning them twice a week will stress them out.

Can't believe people use goldfish for centre pieces at weddings... bloody morons. You should demand the money off of the bride for a new tank and equipment!

When I had DS I had to let my fish go. Even though they were in a massive tank, I was struggling to find the time to clean them (lone parent) so they both went into my mates pond. Both lived happily in there, one for 6 years!

I would suggest rehoming too

RubberDuck · 04/08/2010 13:31

They can survive for the short term, but it's not really much of a life. The most immediate problem with a bowl without an airline is the lack of oxygen - there's so very little surface area at the top that oxygen can dissolve in.

Your mum's tank would be better for the short term, but again, they're going to need that growing room and will still end up seriously polluting the water.

You could perhaps ask on freecycle to see if anyone is giving a tank away if you have the room?

I have kept goldfish - despite what many pet shops will tell you, they're not really a good beginner fish. If you have a small space / small tank, you really would be better off rehoming the goldfish and looking into small tropical fish. They're generally easier to keep, pretty to look at and need much less space. Research first though - especially the nitrogen cycle - it will safe you much grief and many dead fish. Beginner FAQ: The Nitrogen Cycle.

RubberDuck · 04/08/2010 13:33

Hey sweetnitanitro fancy meeting you here

Re: the stressing out thing when cleaning - that's because you're changing all the water - very stressful for the fish because of the temperature differences.

Regular water changes of 10-15% are MUCH kinder to the fish (try and get the water as close in temperature as you can) as they stay in the same tank as the water gets changed and the difference in composition of the water isn't such a shock. Remember to use a water conditioner though - chlorine/chloramines kill off the good bacteria in the tank which will mean more harmful buildup of ammonia which can kill your fish.

Original poster

moonminmama · 04/08/2010 13:42

Right decision made then. Again thank you so much for the advice. I am going to try to find someone with a pond first, if not give them to a pet shop. The only trouble then is (and this will sound stupid but)i would then worry that the same thing could happen to them again

I simply havent got time to take care of a big tank, i would now as i am off work (teacher) but am due with dc2 in Feb so they would be my last priority by then, unfortunately.

Dont suppose you know anyone in or around Warrington who ould like 2 goldfish for their pond?

OP posts:

sweetnitanitro · 04/08/2010 13:55

Do you know that they are definitely common goldfish and not fancy goldfish? Do they look fish-shaped (hope you know what I mean!) or are they fat and round-looking with long fins? If you're not sure, this is a fancy goldfish and this is a common goldfish. Both come in various colours.

Original poster

moonminmama · 04/08/2010 14:03

i think they might be fancy ones. They are white and gold and a couple of inches long. Does that make a difference as to what i do with them?

OP posts:

RubberDuck · 04/08/2010 14:06

Yes, I'm afraid so - fancy goldfish really aren't suitable for ponds as I mentioned above. Pet shop or friend with large tank is far more suitable.

Original poster

moonminmama · 04/08/2010 14:09

Thank you again. Dont know anyone with a large tank so its looking like the pet shop.

OP posts:

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