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Original poster

Not fit to own a gold fish

57 replies

handlemecarefully · 14/02/2005 13:44

Recently on a whim I bought a gold fish starter kit for £9.99 (it consisted of a goldfish bowl, plastic plant, small book on keeping goldfish, a container of fish food, and water conditioner). I was told I couldn't buy the fish at the same time, but needed to fill the goldfish bowl with water and use the water conditioner, and then take a sample of the water back to the pet shop 48 hours later to be tested.

Well we went back to the pet shop on Saturday en famille, and the 4 of us waited with bated breath whilst the water was tested.

I knew it was bad news when the girl who had disappeared with my water came back mob handed flanked by a colleague. I think she was expecting trouble...

They were brandishing 4 colourful test tubes, and told me that they couldn't release a gold fish to my care because my water was high in nitrite and nitrates.

I have to add still more water conditioner and return in another couple of days with a fresh sample.

What am I doing wrong????

OP posts:

gingerbear · 14/02/2005 15:44

Snafu, are you sure that they aren't planning an escape like teh tank fish did on Finding Nemo (Stafish making scum angels on side of tank...lol...oh help, I do need to get out more.)

misdee · 14/02/2005 15:45

lol.

Kelly1978 · 14/02/2005 15:45

I really don't understand why they demanded water tests for a goldfish bowl. Also, I think you would have a job finding a filter to fit a bowl too. Goldfish produce so much poo that the water gets very high in nitrates anyway, so I really don't think it would do them any harm. Personally, I would just go and get a fish from somewhere else.
I've never tested water, just treated it, and cleaned it regulary and I've never had any probs, and this is with an 80 liter tropical tank.

snafu · 14/02/2005 15:46

Mine have to, mm.

(I'm joking, btw, before I get into big trouble!)

misdee · 14/02/2005 15:48

kelly, if nitrate levels, amonia, ph etc goes all screwy in your tank you could lose all your fish. i have a 120litre tropical tank, and even tho i usually just leave it alone, i still test the waters levels at least once a month.

Kelly1978 · 14/02/2005 15:48

My clown loach love sucking the poo off the gravel, absolutely disgusting to watch, I must remember to get that new vacuum pump!!

misdee · 14/02/2005 15:49

clown loaches are meant to do that.

Kelly1978 · 14/02/2005 15:50

I guess I've been lucky, but I like to leave well alone now, as I would be terrified of upsetting the balance, and I have some expensive fish in there. The only thing I have discovered is that I can't keep catfish in my setup. What do you keep?

Kelly1978 · 14/02/2005 15:51

I didn't know that!! it's only cos the vacuum pump went awol that the gravel has gotten dirty and I've noticed them doing it. Maybe that was why they've not grown much neither - lack of poo!

misdee · 14/02/2005 15:52

i have a betta, a plecco, some cherry barbs, mollies, rummy nosed tetras, mickeys and errrrr somethign else, not too sure atm.

Kelly1978 · 14/02/2005 15:54

Oooh I love bettas. Unfortunately my betta and tetras have gradually been eaten by bigger fish!! I might have to upgrade soon, and then start a smaller community in my current tank.

pixel · 15/02/2005 18:13

My friend has a little filter specially designed for goldfish bowls. I've seen them in the aquarium shop too.

Original poster

handlemecarefully · 17/02/2005 22:13

Update...

well I bought my own water testing kit which is a bit like a chemistry set and tests for ammonia, ph, nitrite and nitrates.

I cleaned out the goldfish bowl, put some water conditioner in and then tested my water. It scored very well and was totally acceptable.

So, today, I took a sample to Pets At Home and they did their own tests which corroborated that the water was A-Ok!

They released a fish to my care, and when I got home I tenderly introduced it to its' new home (following all the rules - i.e. putting the bag of water into the gold fish bowl to harmonise the temperatures and then gradually introducing water from the goldfish bowl into the bag before eventually decanting the bag and goldfish into the bowl).

Well right from the start the goldfish wasn't interested in feeding. Then it started sinking to the bottom, and now it looks very moribund indeed and won't last the night.

What the feck did I do wrong? I know its only a fish, but I feel really quite put out (and guilty for killing it)...plus mystified because I've done everything by the book...

Sorry if rambling - tipsy now (took solace in alcohol)

OP posts:

sparklymieow · 17/02/2005 22:15

when did you buy it, most petshops have a 24 hour window where they will replace the fish if it dies in that time

misdee · 17/02/2005 22:17

if it dies in a the next day or 2 take it back.

Flossam · 17/02/2005 22:19

Ohh, poor fish. Pets at home is where you got it from? They don't have the best reputation I thought. That would be why they insist on testing your water. I think if your pet dies in x amount of time you can go back there and demand your money back . Hope your little fishy is ok, no advice, fish keeping wasn't so high tech in my day!

sparklymieow · 17/02/2005 22:20

actually, when I was in pets at home the other day, there was a few dead fish in the tanks there.

Flossam · 17/02/2005 22:20

Sorry, not clear. They are testing the water so that if you go back for a refund they are sure that it is not you killing it with your dodgy water! It's to save them money!

Original poster

handlemecarefully · 17/02/2005 22:20

I bought it at around 14.00 today.....

I will take it back if it dies (not looking good) but (sorry pathetic)it has kind of shaken my confidence about my ability to care for a fish!!!

Do you think some fish just react badly from being plucked from their tank in the shop and re-housed, and go into some sort of terminal shock?

OP posts:

misdee · 17/02/2005 22:20

sounds like a duff fish to me. what type was it? shubunkins are hardier.

Original poster

handlemecarefully · 17/02/2005 22:24

Actually misdee it was (is - well it is still tenuously clinging onto life) a shubunkin.

I can't believe that I am quite so peturbed about a fish - but I feel responsible for it's sorry state

OP posts:

misdee · 17/02/2005 22:25

it may just be in shock a bit, and recover in the morning.

i killed dd1 fish by not relising the filter/oxygen pack was duff and they starved of oxygen overnight. killed 4 in one night. d'oh!!

Original poster

handlemecarefully · 17/02/2005 22:31

I put some oxygenating tablets (not sure of spelling there)in the water so it can't be that.

Anyway thanks for sharing that Misdee, I feel a bit better that the mumsnet fish expert has also had her share of fish mortality

(Mumsnet fish expert is not meant to be sarcy or ironic - more a compliment really)

I really hope that Percy (see - we named it straight away in our enthusiasm)does recover by tomorrow. I am doubtful though

OP posts:

misdee · 17/02/2005 22:32

glad i made you feel better, my dd1 wasnt impressed. did keep them aline for 18months with no problems.

sparklymieow · 17/02/2005 22:32

has the tank got a o2 filter in it

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