Gold Fish Lying Down

Question
QUESTION: Hi Ron,

I have a 40 gallon tank with two gold fishes and one Koi fish. Since 2 days I am seeing all three fishes are lying at the bottom of the tank most of the time. They are active and come to the surface when I feed them. Here are some points that notice.
1. Stamach (for gold fishes) seems to bloated
2. Erratic movements sometimes
I have changed the 20% of water 2 weeks ago and changed 10% of water yesterday. I have added required quantity of aquarium salt (for the 40 gallons of water). The aquarium temperature is 68 degrees. I have tested the water quality and the test results are: 1. pH (7.2 to 7.4); 2. Ammonia: 0 ppm; Nitrate: nil

Appreciate for a help.

ANSWER: Hi Smitha,
 You need to be doing more regular water changes. You should be changing 25% of their water once a week, every week.  I suggest you do another 25% water change and see if that doesn't perk them up.

 I assume that you have a proper filter and a air supply in the tank.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Ron,

Thanks for your reply.

Here are some additional info.

1. The tank also has an algae eater about 5 inches long. I feed it once in every week or so with TetraMin algae wafers;
2. The tank has 1 gold fish and 1 butterfly koi lived for about 6 months and a week ago I have added new one (the OGAN koi fish, yellow color). At this time, I also have added two green plants bought from the same petstore. I noticed the sickening of fishes after adding the new fish and plants;
3. Today I have again tested the water. PH is: 7.2, Ammonia: 0.5 to 1.0 ppm; Nitrite: 0 ppm
4. I also visited the same petshop where I bought all these fishes for the advise. They suggested me to use Maracyn-Two which is in powder form for 5 days. Dosage: 2 packets for 10 gallons of water for the first day; 2nd through 5th day 1 packet for 10 gallons; Now the first day is over
5. he tank been set up for 2 years
6. I use Penguin Filter system, filter size 'C' (capable of filtering 50 to 100 gallons)
7. All fishes are little over 4 inches long
8. I feed TetraMin (tropical crisps) and TetraFin (floating variety pellets). I feed them once in the moring, they finish eating within a minute or two
9. I noticed erratic and twitching behavior quiet often by the OGAN fish

Appreciate if you could help my fishes. I feel very bad when I see them lying down all the time.

Thanks in advance,

Smitha

ANSWER: Hi Smitha,
  It is very possible that the new fish brought in some form of infection, but determining exactly what that is will be pretty tough, if even possible.  Do you know what the disease ick looks like?  (little white spots on the body and in particular on the fins).  This is the most common disease I hear about on goldfish.  You might as well continue with the Maracyn now that you have started.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Ron. Yes I see some little white spots on the fins of all fishes.

Smitha

Answer
Hi Smitha,
 If it is ich (little white spots) then you should treat immediately with Rid-Ich or Quik-Cure or one of the other ick remedies.  I can't remember if Maracyn treats ick or not.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>