Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Original poster

another dead goldfish - please help

56 replies

3littlefrogs · 23/11/2006 07:49

I have done everything by the book - oxygenating plant, dechlorinated water,test kit, proper food, no overfeeding, occasional pea for them to nibble. They seem to last about 3 weeks and then get a fungal infection. I treated this one with Gold - disease safe, straight away, isolated it etc.

This is the second one that has died. I must be doing something wrong, but I can't think what. I have an electric filter, and prepared the tank 2 weeks before putting the fish in, as instructed by man in shop.

Nitrite levels have always been fine. The only thing is I think my water is a bit hard - could that be enough to kill the fish?

Sorry this is so long. I would be grateful for any advice. Dd (8) is going to be so upset. Maybe I should have let her have a hamster?

OP posts:
Original poster
3littlefrogs · 23/11/2006 16:26

Wow - 36 messages!! Have just dashed in from work having dropped dd at tennis - have to go back again in 10 minutes, but wanted to check on fish. Tested water again:-

pH8
KH3
GH 16+
NO3100
NO2 0

don't know if that means better or worse. He was hiding in his cup (we submerged a china cup, wedged into gravel, so that he could hide if he wanted)but he came out when I lifted the lid of the tank. He has just had a swim and gobbled up a flake of food, and has gone back in his cup again.

fish2 is the stronger personality of the two - the one that died this morning had less character and was a bit slower on the uptake IYSWIM. They are funny little creatures, but you get fond of them.

Thanks so much for all this info. I will keep going, and test the water regularly and hope for the best.

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 23/11/2006 16:46

Well NO2 is much lower which is fab. Did we find out whether the NO3 reading was ppm or mg/l? I think I'd want that lower but it's not as crucial - no need for another water change today I wouldn't have thought but test in the morning.

Out of interest - what readings do you get on water straight out the tap? I only ask because in some areas nitrates are high before they even add fish... it would be nice to know what baseline we're working from, iyswim.

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 23/11/2006 17:07

NO2 and NO3 are in mg/l. don't know if that makes the readings good or bad. I think I will order some stuff off the website (the link you posted for the syphon thing). What do you suggest?

I have just looked at fish2's tail and it appears "split". what to do?

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 23/11/2006 17:14

I'm just not sure about the mg/l conversion - Gingerbear will probably know. NO2 is at 0 anyway, which is fab - that's the important thing. I don't think you need any other test kits if you're getting the spare ammonia test from her

For the split tail, I really would recommend the Melafix - even if you choose another medication in addition, it'll help speed up his healing process. Smells nice too The Pimafix listed there I've also had recommended in the past for use in combination for bad fungal infections, but I have to confess I have some here but haven't had to use it yet, so not personal experience. Did you say if you could see little white grains on his fins which would indicate white spot at all?

GeorginaA · 23/11/2006 17:18

King British WS3 is the one I've always been recommended as the best White Spot treatment (sorry - I know it's a different shop - Charterhouse don't seem to stock it! Both shops I've used and are very good and quick - not sure if Aquatics Online have the other stuff you want so you can save on postage - worth a search )

GeorginaA · 23/11/2006 17:18

You need to scroll down right to the bottom on that last link, btw.

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 23/11/2006 17:21

I think it is white spot. Haven't had a chance to test tap water yet. Will buy some more test strips tomorrow hopefully. Have to take ds to his tennis lesson now - still got my coat on from coming in from the last one.

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 23/11/2006 17:24

lol .... I really should get off my arse and make dinner too

Gingerbear · 23/11/2006 18:05

mg/l and ppm are equivalent.
Good work on the water change, but make sure you test every day, and keep NO2 level low.
Do you want the ammonia kit?

GeorginaA · 23/11/2006 18:24

Oh that makes life easier Gingerbear I didn't realise they were the same!

GeorginaA · 23/11/2006 18:25

(for some reason I keep wanting to write gingerbeer... must be thirsty )

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 23/11/2006 18:27

Oh-sorry gingerbear - just cooking dinner. I have just ordered some stuff from the on-line shop, so included an ammonia test kit in my order. It is really kind of you, but I think the order will probably arrive just as quick, and it will save you the trouble of wrapping and queueing in post office. I am so grateful for all the advice - you mums are all so kind! thank you.

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 23/11/2006 18:38

You'll have to post a picture if the little guy pulls through

And even if he doesn't don't give up - they really are a rewarding pet once you get over the early stressful stages I remember once someone telling me that the first fish you put in a new tank are pioneers... lol.

GeorginaA · 24/11/2006 18:55

How's Fish2 doing, 3lf?

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 24/11/2006 19:28

Thanks for asking GeorginaA. I tested the water this morning and the nitrite was between 0 and 10, so changed 4 litres of water. He was hiding, but came out and had a swift swim plus breakfast. however -
I have just gone and peered closely at him and he has definitely got fungus - and the new medicine parcel won't arrive until tomorrow - had an email to say it had been dispatched. I will put some more disease safe stuff in because the concentration might be too weak.
I put some in the bucket of fresh water yesterday and today, but the original dose was 5 days ago and it does say on the bottle to repeat in 5 days, so I am guessing that 8 litres worth needs re-dosing, if that makes sense.
He is still eating though. If I hadn't had 2 extra children to pick up from school today I would have gone to the garden centre. I do hope he'll be ok overnight.

OP posts:
Original poster
3littlefrogs · 24/11/2006 19:31

The filter is just a small one with a little sponge inside - they don't have carbon in do they?

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 24/11/2006 19:32

You sound like you're doing a great job He's a lucky little fish.

GeorginaA · 24/11/2006 19:33

You'd know if it had carbon - it would have black pellets in it.

GeorginaA · 24/11/2006 19:34

To give you an idea, this is what my filter looks like

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 24/11/2006 19:36

dd is just removing the outer skin from a pea for him to nibble.

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 24/11/2006 19:37

My tropicals are quite partial to cucumber. They like it to rot for 24hrs first (ew) then eat all the insides, leaving me the rind to clear up later The snails race them for it...

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 24/11/2006 19:40

Can't access that link ATM, but have registered. My filter is just a sponge - no pellets though, so hopefully ok. DD has just come back and said she thinks he is shedding a bit of skin - or could it be fungus? Oh dear - I really thought he was getting better.

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 24/11/2006 19:43

If he's eating and otherwise seeming happy though, it's a good sign. Fingers crossed for a full recovery.

Original poster
3littlefrogs · 24/11/2006 19:43

Can only buy "gold disease safe" locally. Hope the parcel comes tomorrow. just tested the water - no nitrite, but nitrate 25mg/l. Other parameters the same as before.

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 24/11/2006 19:44

The nitrate has come down considerably then from 100 - well done!