Red Caps & other fish have died.

Question
Ok, I know some of what I am going to tell you is wrong... but I didn't find that out until I began researchng what the problem was, so bear with me.

I have a 20 gallon tank with several tetras in it. They have been doing very well for over a year. I also had a 10 gallon tank below it that has been empty for over a year. The other day I bought 5 small goldfish, one of them a red cap. The pthers were similar to her, some had the puffy bags arounf their eyes, some had fancy tails, but I can't remember their names. Anyway, I brought them home and put them in the empty tank, which I had cleaned and put on anew filter about a month ago. Well, 2 hours later one was dead, and today all but one has passed. I now know, or think, this is because of new tank syndrome. I still have one of the fancy tails left.

What I noticed happening to them was that they appeared to get little white grains on them, which I assumed to be parasites. I began to treat it with a parasite medicine (2 drops per gallon every 72 hours until gone). Then they got this cloudy look to their fins, especially the black one, who had been a beatuifull velvety black prior to this. Then there were these little white like strings hanging from their gills. They sort of looked like an egg white does around the edges after it has been poached. And then they died.

Now ,my concern is for the one remaining. It breaks my heart that I made a stupid mistake nad caused them this. I want to help this little guy, and bring him back around. What should I do? And if he persishes, how can I avoid this in the future? Thank you so much for you help and time.

In His Grace,
Mrs. Toi Soares

Answer
Hi Toi;

The fish did succumb to "new tank syndrome". I'm so sorry this happened to your fish. But, at least you know what caused it and can move on from here to help the one left. It would help him a lot to change 25% of the water every day for the next 4 days. This will lower the toxins that make him sick without stressing him further. Once it has been set up for 6 weeks (count from the day first fish went in), you can then maybe give him one friend to pal around with. Goldfish are very messy deep-bodied fish that just need lots of room. They will eventually outgrow the 10 gallon, but it may be several months down the road. They get 6 to 8 inches long and live to be 10+ years old.

If the fish still has parasites (called ich) raise the water temperature to 82 degrees and add aquarium salt. Ick hates salt and hates heat. The tank needs 1/2 teaspoon of salt per gallon on the first day, after the water change. Add another 5 teaspoons the second day. Then, make the water change. Add an extra 2 teaspoons to compensate for the new water on the second day. (I'm terrible at math and figgerin' in general, so that's the only way I can think of to get the desired dosage of 1 teaspoon per gallon on the second day) Every water change made after that will need one teaspoon for every gallon replaced until the ick is cured. Usually takes 2 weeks. If there is no heater in the tank you will need one. Since the tank is near the floor, get a 75 watt heater. Usually I recommend a 50 watt for a 10 gallon but I'm not sure it will do the job. The goldfish will not need the heater after the treatment is over, but you may want to leave it in and turn it down so the temperature gets no lower than 65.

I hope he feels better soon......

Followups Welcome

Alive In Christ;
Chris Robbins

Mom of four beautiful children, wife of a wonderful hubby and faithful follower of Jesus Christ...........

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