Flim over fishs eyes

Question
Hi Benty-

I recently totally redid my fish tank since I was out of the country for 3 weeks, so I traded in my fish and broke down the tank. My wife loves goldfish so we bought several and placed them in the tank. Within 1 day, one of them died. He was constantly swimming towards the top of the tank. We replaced him with another fish and he is going ok. I've noticed that 2 fish out of 6 in the tank have a white film over their eyes. It does seem like they are eating, and our swimming around normal so I don't know what to think.

Any ideas or something I could purchase at the local pet store to help this?

*this is a 29 gallon tank-

Thank you-
Scott

Answer
Hi Scott,

I got this in the fish questions pool today.  It must have been there awhile, referred to other experts by the original expert you chose.  Please do not hold me responsible because it's taken so long to answer.  I just got it today, and was on it soon as it arrived. :)  I hope my answer is helpful for you, and in advance, if there is any need for a followup, please feel free to ask.

White film on eyes is a sign of 2 things.  #1, ammonia poisoning, which I will get into down further in the letter.  #2, fungus.

Ammonia poisoning - Caused by too many fish in the tank and a combination of not enough water changes and poor filtration and most likely, overfeeding.

Ammonia poisoning is first noticed when fish rise to the top of the tank and begin sipping air.  This is the first sign of ammonia poisoning.  Second, they begin showing distress and third, their skin sloughs off, burns show up and then they die if they've made it that far.

Most don't.

The fungus is the secondary infection on the skin, where the ammonia has built up and is burning the skin.

A29 gallon tank can accommodate 2 goldfish only.  Goldfish are one of the few fishes who poop way too much to be housed in aquariums, yet they are sold everywhere you turn.  It's a crime against the species, the way they're treated...or, are mis-treated.

A juvenile goldfish can live in 5 to 10 gallons, but they grow fast.  By 3 inches, 25 is really necessary for one, sometimes 2 can thrive comfortably with ample filtration.

More than that is overcrowding.  You can probably get away with 2 goldfish, a couple small fishes and a couple corycats, but no more in that 29 than that.

Feeding should be at a rate of what the fishes can eat in one minute.  No debris should ever go to the bottom.  The filter should be rated to filter twice the size of your aquarium, because you have goldfish, and it should be changed monthly on time.  Also, water changes at the rate of 10% every four weeks are necessary.  That's only 3 gallons in your case.  It takes about 4 minutes.  :)

This will drastically increase your fish-keeping capabilities and downsizing to a few enjoyable fish will make their lives last much longer.

Your fishes' fungus will disappear when you decrease the crowding issues.  If it seems to make the eyes swell, add 2 teaspoons of salt per gallon to the tank, dissolved.  It will go away and then when it does, you will need to change water at a rate of 25% every 3 days for about 10 days.

Happy fish-keeping and if there is anything else you need, please, please don't hesitate to ask.