I am really worried about Madge.
Although she seemed to have perked up a lot she still seems to spend a lot of time lying at the bottom of the tank.
I have learned that madge is at least 10years old.
I have been doing 30-40Pcent water changes almost every day. Amonia levels are exremely low.
I was wondering if she was just getting old and that perhaps sleeping a lot.
Should I stop worrying.
.She's a 4" Veiltail in a 55 Gal Tank with 2 other 3" Standard Goldfish.
.Amonia Levels are very low
.No other sighns of desease
I Have a spare 30 Gal Tank and wondered wether I should put her on her own in that. But would she get lonely?
I am so new to al this and would appriciate your help.

Sorry about double posting My original seems to have moved it's self!!!

Hi Bigphil - well it's hard to tell why at this stage and no, it doesn't sound overly normal.

Any chance of answering as many of the questions in the white box as possible? Reason being as you're showing an ammonia reading, am wondering where you're at in terms of tank age, filter size, whether your tank's cycled etc... If you've ammonia present, are there any nitrites? Is your PH stable?... Oh so many questions

So any answers you can supply will give a big clue and possibly an answer also.

Please post back soon

Everything seems so scienific!
I have addoped he three fish from my place of work, they came togetther with 30 gal Tank and Filter. They have been in the same tank for over five years and were not looked after well at all. the tank was completely emtied and cleaned whan I got them about 4 weeks ago.
Since then I have done 20pc water change every few days.
I have no idea of the size of the fiter. How do I find out?
I had my local pet shop test a sample of water for amonia levels and they told me the level was "Negligable"
I didn,t ask about Nitrate or PH . I will take another sample tommorrow. And try and get a more detailed analasis.
As for Chlormines of tap water!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will get hp and nitrate details tommorow and post them as soon as I get home.
Thanks

Ok the first problem I note is that the tank was taken down and cleaned. Which means the cycle was wiped out and now it is having a cycle all over again. Very bad. It will take a toll on the fish.
This means you need to invest in all the tests so that you can do them at home. You will need to test twice a day in order to do water changes accordingly until the tank finishes it's cycle.

Water quality is everything to a fish. It is nice that you have taken the care over, it sounds like you have some nice fish to be that old. Now just helping them get over the "new tank syndrome" you will be ok.

From what IM getting from this, is the tank was extremly dirty and was of poor water quality, so he had no choice but to clean it out. Thats just what IM gathering so.... i may be wrong

Hey Kirsten, if Bigphil moved the tank from work to home it would have to be emptied to do so. Cleaning the tank before setting up again is only a natural thing to do. New tank syndrome is the first problem that new fish keepers come across, many people don't even realise there is a problem at all and wonder why their fish die.

I think Laurie is right on track. Bigphil, check out the article on 'The Cycle of the Tank' on Koko's home page, sorry I don't know how to post a link, maybe the link fairy will come along and do it for me.

Eserah,
When we have a problem with any type of illness our first inclination is to "start again and clean it all up". Sometimes this is ok to do, but for ich or any parasite you do not need to.
By simply following some direction that others can give, you can get rid of the infestation without crashing the cycle. And completly rid the fish and the tank of the parasite.

We have to remember that the tank and water are a "living oranizim" and it is a fragile balence to keep things in order. Always starting fresh isn't always a good thing to do.
I knew why he did it, but thanks in trying to clarify.

Ok hear goes.
I feel I have to clarify tthe whole senareo.
But first thank you for your help.
a) I have never kept fish in my life and wrongly asumed there was nothing to it.
The fish had been kept in a 30 Gal tank in the enterance of a children's centre in which I have been working. They have been there for over ten years. (Madge is the only original fish and is a 4" Veiltail.
c) The tank was so fithy I could hardly see the fish. It had been Months since vany of the water had been changed.
d) The centre is closing down for about 6 months for a massive rebuild and the management were looking for some one to addopt the fish. (I offered)
e) The fish were taken out of the tank and placed in plastic bags. The tank was empyied and cleaned out. The gravel was washed and a number of stone ornaments were also washed.
f) The whole lot were then transfered to my flat.
g) Once home the tank was set up together with fiter, gravel, ornaments and tap water which I had ready in buckets (I had left the water for a day to get the temperature right)
h) The fish were then transfered from bags to the tank.
Then I joined Kokos and started reading about Cycling, Amonia and Nitrate, Etc.
After a week I had the water tested and was told that the amonia level was "Negligable"
I started to do 20pc every couple of days.

2 of the fish (Bill and Ben) seem to be thriving. They are very lively and love their new home.
Madge however is the one that worries me. She spends so mutch time just lying at the bottom of the tank and only comes to life at feeding time. or when I turn the light on!
It was sugested that I buy my own testing equipment and test twice a day but to be honest mony is extremely tight and I just can't afford to buy the equipment.

I really want to do the best for Bill Ben and Madge but am thinking about giving up and finding a new home for them with someone who really knows what they're doing.

Sorry for such a long posting but I am getting really upset seeing the way Madge is and really looking for advice and support.
GBY Phil

Try fasting the fish for a day or 2 and then give them only cooked peeled peas for a day or 2. Watch Madge while she eats, does she seem to eat more then the others? She sounds like she could be constapated. If so not feeding them for 2 days wont hurt them and will give her time to clean out her system. Also, try adding a small amount of aquarium salt, this helps with gill function and my help reduce any amount of stress she is feeling. It is very cheap and you can just follow the directions for the tank size. Finally, when my fish were acting like that simply increasing the oxygen in the tank fixed everything immediately. Maybe your air stone is too small or got clogged or something. Also, when you feed them, even if you use sinking pellets, make sure you soak all their food for 1-2min before feeding them to remopve any air and make sure it sinks. If they gulp too much air when they eat it could lead to constapation and eventually swim bladder disease.
Good luck
Jennifer

Hey BP, don't give up! The fact that Bill and Ben are thriving indicates that things can't be too bad.

If you can't get hold of water test kits, don't sweat it, I managed without them for 6mths and during that time I cycled a few tanks. Test kits are useful during cycling to indicate how much water needs changing, but if you change a little each day and don't overfeed you should be safe.

A little lifesafer is the product Prime. It's a water conditioner that detoxifies ammonia/nitrIte, I rely on it heavily during cycling. A half dose of Prime daily (half of regular dose for 30g) plus regular water changes should see you through. A small bottle of Prime is inexpensive and lasts forever. (almost)

It is highly likely that Madge is showing the effects of recent neglect at the Centre. Sometimes bad water quality can leave fish permanently debilitated. Neglect together with the stress of moving and 100% fresh water has most likely knocked her around.

By all means you can try fasting and peas, it won't hurt even if they aren't constipated.

Just do your best and I hope Madge improves for you.