Some trouble with goldfish!!!!

[smmfish]

My sister called me this evening and said one of her goldfish died and the other is looking really bad. She has them in a 10 gal. tank, they are still babies, the one that is sick is a lionhead goldfish, once I got out there and tested the water I was astounded at the results. I also noticed it has ick. She doesn't have a heater in that tank because goldfish are cold water fish.
The test results are this:
NitrIte: 50
NitrAte: 20
Ammonia: .50
Ph: 7.4
Water temp: 78
Please help me figure this out, I am stumped. I have never had trouble with any of my tanks, so I don't know what to tell her. She just completed a water change, and the test results were still this bad. What to do??????????????????

 

[Kuda]

good waterchange, throw in some salt, hope for the best, does she declorinate her water when doing waterchanges???? if not u need to. just treat the tank with salt, hope 4 the best

 

[smmfish]

Thanks for the quick reply. I will tell her to try some salt. Thanks again.

 

[Kuda]

 

[hillbilly]

Sounds like she has too little filtration for the bio- load of the tank. Other possible causes are over feeding, or failure to keep up with water changes. Things go downhill quickly in such a small tank. I agree the only thing you can do at this point is water changes. Good luck!

 

[DeLgAdO]

My sister called me this evening and said one of her goldfish died and the other is looking really bad. She has them in a 10 gal. tank, they are still babies, the one that is sick is a lionhead goldfish, once I got out there and tested the water I was astounded at the results. I also noticed it has ick. She doesn't have a heater in that tank because goldfish are cold water fish.
The test results are this:
NitrIte: 50
NitrAte: 20
Ammonia: .50
Ph: 7.4
Water temp: 78
Please help me figure this out, I am stumped. I have never had trouble with any of my tanks, so I don't know what to tell her. She just completed a water change, and the test results were still this bad. What to do??????????????????

even after a water change because the volume of the tank is so small is will bounce back in very little time, its much worse because of the fact you have goldfish in a 10 gal which is the worst you could do to a fish that consumes oxyen like no tommorow and is a waste factory.

tell her to get a bigger tank, and beef up on filteration while you still have that tank

 

[paintboi101]

salt. and if that dont work, and something happends to it. go to a lfs and find another one that looks like it and say its cured lol

 

[smmfish]

Well, she lost the lionhead this morning. She also has a new fish in there, which is a black moor, it is only about an inch long now, there is no sign of ick on him yet. I told her about the salt and to make sure she is using aquasafe water conditioner. She is headed to the lfs to get some salt and conditioner. I hope the black moor makes it. If not she is going to break down the whole tank give it a good cleaning and start over with smaller fish this time. I guess she has had the black moor in there for about 2 weeks now. I never even knew that fish was in there. Thanks for the help guys.
][v][onster fish is the best.

 

[DeLgAdO]

Well, she lost the lionhead this morning. She also has a new fish in there, which is a black moor, it is only about an inch long now, there is no sign of ick on him yet. I told her about the salt and to make sure she is using aquasafe water conditioner. She is headed to the lfs to get some salt and conditioner. I hope the black moor makes it. If not she is going to break down the whole tank give it a good cleaning and start over with smaller fish this time. I guess she has had the black moor in there for about 2 weeks now. I never even knew that fish was in there. Thanks for the help guys.
][v][onster fish is the best.

if the moor dies

have her start with a 55 gal

 

[Dr Joe]

What kind of filter is on the tank, HOB or buble-up?

If it's a bubble-up, get her a HOB for a 30g tank (a bio-wheel would be nice).

Using charcoal in the filter? Change it regularly.

filter cleaned changed resently?

Was the tank fully cycled?

Gravel and pretty plastic plants? Vacuum gravel during water changes.

A 10g tank responds quickly to any changes. Good or Bad.

I'd pull the charcoal out if it's in there and put some ick meds in by manu. directions. It's better than waiting to see when the moor gets it.

If possible, when you have multiple deaths in a tank of unknown causes, It's best to break down and clean/disinfect that tank. Especially when you are down to one fish it's easier to provide a temporary home.

If these g.fish were 2" or under a 10g tank is fine, just needs a little more attention & maintenance.

Get a heater and set it on the low side just in case.

And if your feeling generous, get her a 55g for her b.day

And don't let her get discouraged !

Unfortunately, some fish (especially ornimental g.fish from chain stores) are inbread and have a shortened life span.

Keep us posted and have her keep the faith.

Dr Joe

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