Pet Forum / Aquaria / Goldfish / March 2005

Hi Everyone,
I normally don't post to the group (I'm the shy, quiet type- never much to
say), but I have something to ask.
I have ( had) 10 Goldies, and up untill recently they were doing great.
Around 2 weeks ago, my favourite fantail, Sceramin' Jay Hawkins, started to
swim funny. His tail was always higher than his head, and if he stopped
swimming he would pop up to the surface like a cork. One morning, I saw him
floating upside down on the surface and I thought he had carked it. When I
went over for a closer look, he righted himself and swam off- any ideas what
might be causing this funny behaviour?
Also, last night one of the pearlscales was sucked up against the filter
inlet. When I found him, he was very weak, and this morning when I got up
for work he was there again, but this time he was dead  8..(
He was only the second fish I've lost in 1 year of the hobby, and according
to those in the know I'm doing a few things wrong. My tank is only 50
litres, but I do a 50% water change every Saturday morning. I only use
rainwater, so I don't need agers or other chemicals. If I'm doing things
wrong, how come the others are thriving? I know about the 10 gallon per fish
rule, but I don't have the money or space for a 100 gallon tank (please
Santa, I've been good....)

Sorry for such a long post, especially from a serial lurker, but I was
really flat today after the pearly died. The dudes at work don't understand-
" it's only a goldfish" mentality.

Thanks in advance for any help with Screamin' Jay.
Regards,
Laurie in Melbourne, Australia.