Attention ALL Goldfish Experts from a Novice

Attention ALL Goldfish Experts from a Novice - Is my Fish Dying?

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Paul Bailey - 29 Apr 2004 10:50 GMT

We have a new aquarium - purchased and filled with fish last weekend (not
too many fish in the tank).

There is one small goldfish that appears to be struggling. For the past few
days he has seemed unable to get off the bottom of the tank. His front fins
seem to be working feverishly to assist him to move around. However, I have
noticed he doesn't seem to be able to swim towards the top. The back end of
his body seems to angling towards the base of the tank.

To me, a novice, it appears as though he may have a spinal problem or his
back fins aren't working properly.

Is this normal? Is he dying? If not, is there anything we can do?

Paul Bailey
Sydney, Australia

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dr-solo@wi.rr.xx.com - 29 Apr 2004 15:36 GMT

what are your water quality parameters, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH?
if there are more than 1 fish per 20 gallons you are overstocked.
probably the water is toxic. start changing water and add 1 teaspoon salt per 5
gallons, no additives, dissolve first, add slowly.
Ingrid

>We have a new aquarium - purchased and filled with fish last weekend (not
>too many fish in the tank).
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>Paul Bailey
>Sydney, Australia

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

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Paul Bailey - 30 Apr 2004 04:16 GMT

I think I found the source of the problem.

The acquarium is pentagonal in shape. Beside it were two full bottles
of red wine. When I looked through the tank the bottles were being
reflected throught the tank.

I removed the bottles from outside the tank and the fish seemed to get
his life/movement back instantly.

Thanks for your help,
Paul Bailey

> what are your water quality parameters, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH?
> if there are more than 1 fish per 20 gallons you are overstocked.
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
> endorsements or recommendations I make.

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Pet Forum / Aquaria / Goldfish / April 2004

Attention ALL Goldfish Experts from a Novice - Is my Fish Dying?