One of my goldfish (Neptune) seems to be spending most of the time on the bottom of the tank with belly touching the gravel, looking ill, back fin down, long tail drooping then he will perk up again and begin swimming normally, (usually when I walk by the end of the tank from which I feed them, which is both fishes normal habit) I have noticed that when he does start swimming Neptune keeps coming to the top of the tank for air. I have an airstone and pump and have also added a slow release oxygen tablet to increase the amount in the tank to see if this helps and have fed only peas today. My other fish appears to be fine.
I have been away for 4 days, the fish were fed but the house was empty and the weather has been cold. Could the drop in temperature have something to do with it? I changed the water 2 days before I went. Today I have tested the water ph, ammonia levels are fine but our water is very hard and the hardness seems to have risen? Will reducing the hardness help and how do I do it?
thanks Frances
Full Version: Bottom Sitting
Cold can make a fish bottom sit temporarily but they should acclimate and perk up. 4 days suggests something more. Fish bottom sit when they are not feeling well most often.
Can we get you to fill out the answers to the box above concerning your water parameters and your water changing routine, as well as tank size and tank mates. Then we can help you toward a much better and more accurate diagnosis
The tank holds 25 litres. I have 2 fish each about 1 inch long.
They are both supposed to be comets, were bought together out of the same tank in a specialist fish keepers shop but Neptune has a long flowing tail whereas Titanic has a short tail and is fatter.
The tank has a filter with a sponge and 2 containers of chips and an airstone and an airgrille lid. I've just tested the water, the dipstick reads as follows. GH120, KH0, PH7, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 80. Likewise the ammonia is reading 0.
I do a partial water change 5-10 litres every 7 - 10 days using rainwater if available which I collect in a special container kept for the purpose. However, I treat it with tap water purifier just to make sure its clean and add a very small amount of aquarium salt (less than the suggested amount) and add a filter boost to clear the water once it is added to the tank. I bring the water into the house several hours before using so it can warm up. I use a biological supplement once a week to keep the filter baterial levels correct and another to help breakdown waste products. Once a month I use a general tonic (I have given an extra dose today just to see if it helps perk up Neptune).
The fish are fed once a day. Normal food is 2 small pellets as recommended on the packet. For variety I give the occasional bit of grape, a couple of peas, or commercially bought ant eggs or bloodworms. There are no live plants in the tank.
I don't know if this is significant but peering into the tank I notice that Titanic's tail fin is a bit frayed although he is not the fish behaving oddly.
Thats all I can tell you.
Frances
They are both supposed to be comets, were bought together out of the same tank in a specialist fish keepers shop but Neptune has a long flowing tail whereas Titanic has a short tail and is fatter.
The tank has a filter with a sponge and 2 containers of chips and an airstone and an airgrille lid. I've just tested the water, the dipstick reads as follows. GH120, KH0, PH7, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 80. Likewise the ammonia is reading 0.
I do a partial water change 5-10 litres every 7 - 10 days using rainwater if available which I collect in a special container kept for the purpose. However, I treat it with tap water purifier just to make sure its clean and add a very small amount of aquarium salt (less than the suggested amount) and add a filter boost to clear the water once it is added to the tank. I bring the water into the house several hours before using so it can warm up. I use a biological supplement once a week to keep the filter baterial levels correct and another to help breakdown waste products. Once a month I use a general tonic (I have given an extra dose today just to see if it helps perk up Neptune).
The fish are fed once a day. Normal food is 2 small pellets as recommended on the packet. For variety I give the occasional bit of grape, a couple of peas, or commercially bought ant eggs or bloodworms. There are no live plants in the tank.
I don't know if this is significant but peering into the tank I notice that Titanic's tail fin is a bit frayed although he is not the fish behaving oddly.
Thats all I can tell you.
Frances
Hi Frances
I think that you have a few things going on that may be the reason for your sick fish.
First of all, you need to do a 100% water change in your tank.
You have 2 single tailed fish in about 6.5 US gallons, and your nitrates at 80ppm are dangerously high. Nitrates should be kept below 40ppm, but best below 20ppm.
Goldfish are very dirty fish, producing a LOT of waste. They produce ammonia through their gills as well as their waste. Such a small space for two fish lets the waste levels get out of control, especially when you only change 1 - 2 1/2 gallons every week or so.
Dangerous bacteria levels can also rise in a tank that is small. Small space can stress fish, leaving them susceptible to parasites and bacterial illness.
Here is an article that is a must to read, to help keep your fish stress free. Stress In Fish
Also, single tailed fish LOVE to swim - and swim FAST!!! If fish are not given proper growing room, their growth is stunted, giving the fish a painful life. Their outsides stop growing, yet inside they continue to grow.
Is there a reason why you prefer rainwater to your tap water? The rainwater has no KH, which keeps the pH stable.
The best thing for fish is good clean water. See if you can get your fish a larger tank. (For single tailed fish, they are best if they have 20 gallons each, so for your two fish - it would be 40 gallons.) In the meantime, you can also use a large Rubbermaid container with a filter. They come in large sizes that many people use to temporarily house their fish.
But the main thing is immediate an immediate water change. If you don't have someplace to put your fish, then do two 50% changes, but your fish need clean water to cut back on the bacteria in the tank.
Good luck to you and your fish! I hope they'll be better soon!
Debbie
I think that you have a few things going on that may be the reason for your sick fish.
First of all, you need to do a 100% water change in your tank.
You have 2 single tailed fish in about 6.5 US gallons, and your nitrates at 80ppm are dangerously high. Nitrates should be kept below 40ppm, but best below 20ppm.
Goldfish are very dirty fish, producing a LOT of waste. They produce ammonia through their gills as well as their waste. Such a small space for two fish lets the waste levels get out of control, especially when you only change 1 - 2 1/2 gallons every week or so.
Dangerous bacteria levels can also rise in a tank that is small. Small space can stress fish, leaving them susceptible to parasites and bacterial illness.
Here is an article that is a must to read, to help keep your fish stress free. Stress In Fish
Also, single tailed fish LOVE to swim - and swim FAST!!!
If fish are not given proper growing room, their growth is stunted, giving the fish a painful life. Their outsides stop growing, yet inside they continue to grow. Is there a reason why you prefer rainwater to your tap water? The rainwater has no KH, which keeps the pH stable.
The best thing for fish is good clean water. See if you can get your fish a larger tank. (For single tailed fish, they are best if they have 20 gallons each, so for your two fish - it would be 40 gallons.) In the meantime, you can also use a large Rubbermaid container with a filter. They come in large sizes that many people use to temporarily house their fish.
But the main thing is immediate an immediate water change. If you don't have someplace to put your fish, then do two 50% changes, but your fish need clean water to cut back on the bacteria in the tank.
Good luck to you and your fish! I hope they'll be better soon!
Debbie
What Debbie has said is exactly right. 
I'd also like to suggest that until you get them a bigger home, it would be helpful to remove all gravel, ornaments, and anything taking up space in the tank. Just don't take all of the gravel out at once...do it in increments. In that small of a space the gravel is going to hold nasties that will keep your nitrates high.
I'd also like to suggest that until you get them a bigger home, it would be helpful to remove all gravel, ornaments, and anything taking up space in the tank. Just don't take all of the gravel out at once...do it in increments. In that small of a space the gravel is going to hold nasties that will keep your nitrates high.
How are things now, Frances - any improvements?
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.