Is it possible to have algae growing on the top of my GF? He otherwise seems normal . . . . except sometimes he sits on the bottom of the tank. Is that normal? He does swim around, I always figure he's resting.

Thanks!
(2 gal, change every 2-3 weeks, feed BioBlend)

No, algae osn't on your fish. It sounds to me like ammonia burns. Is it a brownish blackish color? If yes,then these are scabs from being burned by ammonia. Sorry to be the big let down here, but your fish is suffering due to it's water conditions. Goldfish need at LEAST 10 GALLONS a piece. This is because of the massive amounts of waste they produce. Ever notice how much more they poop than regluar tropical fish? This in turn fouls up the tank water pretty quickly, and with a 2 gallon tank, this is what's happening. I don't even need to ask you for test resuls of your water, cuZ I'm that sure. 100%. So........ how many fish do you have? Either way, you're going to need to put the fish into a suitable home, or they will unfortunately die. (eventually). And even if the fish doesn't die right away, it will suffer and be stunted due to the living conditions. Remember that they need a bare minimum of 10 gallons apiece, and if they're commons, comets, shubukins, then they need at LEAST 15 gallons a piece. In the meantime, you can get rubbermaid tubs and put them in those, just make sure you have filter, airstones, and treated water. You're also going to need test kits for ammonia, nitrItes, nitrAtes, and Ph. I hope this helps you! And don't worry about making the mistake of having goldies in small tanks, we all did it in the beginnning, now it's just about learning to care for them the best you can. Post back!!


Erika

Oh, and until you can move the fish, I'd be doing DAILY water changes. Maybe 50% every day. This will keep the ammonia down till you can find something better. Depending on how many goldies you have in there, you may have to do 100% changes daily. Then for future refrence, goldfish tanks need a water change once a week. About 25-40 % is what most of us here do.

Hi MD

It sounds to me like your fish is probably healing from some sort of toxins as well.

Once my fish Chubby looked like he has some algea on his tail. I am guessing that it was from ammonia present in the pet store water.

I think it was Wynkin, who's fish had the algea looking marks on it, and that was caused by Melafix.

Errrika is right, goldfish do need a lot of room.

What you can do now, to help your fish friend recover, is to do daily water changes with dechlorinated, temperature matched water.

Just fill a pitcher with water, and leave it near the tank. When you have time the next day, take out 50% of the water, and pour the temp matched, dechlorinated water from the pitcher into the tank. And then refill the pitcher to use the next day. I did that for a 7 months- year. It only takes a second, and you can do it right before feeding

Jessica