My Sons Oranda Golfish

Question
QUESTION: Hi, My son's Oranda just died after only having it a week and a half..we took exceptional care of it and it seemed to thrive in the beginning. The store owner said it could have been from the amonia levels in the water because the fish seeemed to be gulping and it's gills toward the past few days were non-stop. My son will want another, he will be heartbroken after school to find out it passed away. What can I do? We used the rock salt, treated the water, gave him specail food, anti-stress enzyme, 2 different foods and pretty much treated him like a king, I feel bad:( The fish also the past few days only stayed at the bottom of the tank. Thanks so much, Catherine

ANSWER: Hi Catherine,

I want to provide you with expert advice.  To do so, I require more information.

What size is the tank?

What size is the filter and model # please?

What is the feeding ritual for the fish and how much is fed at a time, how often?

What is the water changing schedule for the fish?

What amount of rock salt were you using and why?  Was the fish sick?

What treatment did you add to the water?

Please do not add anti-stress enzymes next time.  Don't add anything to the water except the dechlorinator product.

Let's explore why the fish died, together, and we can prevent this in the future.  Looking forward to your responses.

Renee

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

QUESTION: Hi Renee, Thanks for helping out:) The tank is 10 gallons, the filter came with it, it is a "water fall" like filter. The fish was fed for 1 mins. time once a day, Tetra flakes. We changed the water half way about once every 4 days by syphon technique. We added the rock salt yesterday after we found out the fish was prob. sick, 2 tablespoons. We added the dechlorinator and the anti-stress when we changed the water. Today we got 2 lion-head Oranda babies and they told us to use an anti-amonia treatment in the water also. I am nervous, it was a bad day, my son loved his beautiful fish:(  Thanks for all your help,
Catherine

ANSWER: Hi Catherine,

I absolutely agree that the fish may have been having ammonia issues.  If so, then the filtration you use isn't strong enough and you need to consider replacing it.

Also, the media in those filters is supposed to be changed monthly.

If your 10 gallon tank hosts goldfish, it is going to remain having water quality issues.  Even a baby goldfish needs 5 gallons (1") because they are extreme poopers.  A goldfish of 3" should be in 20 gallons and fish who are larger, 50.  Incrementally, as it grows, the fish needs great expansion of tank water.  Why?  Goldfish are extreme extruders.  What comes out of them is very ammonia toxic.

So, in short, your water is probably having issues because of the very type of fish you chose to keep.  NO more than 2 in a 10 gallon tank. :)  

Back to the new guy, the salt was a good additive.  It should prevent any parasites or infectoins from forming.

You should use the anti-ammonia treatment, but don't use the chemical form.  Instead, go to the store and buy Zeolyte Crystals.  Buy a net bag to pour the crystals in, seal it and then submerse them behind your filter pads in the main chamber of the filter.  Those crystals are great for removing ammonia in goldfish ponds and tanks.

I use them!  I love them. :)

Please write back if you have any further questions.

Renee

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

QUESTION: Thanks so much Renee, I went to the fish store again today and had my water checked, it is too high in amonia. That was the prob. poor fish:( I took your advice and bought the crystals, returned the chemical got rid of the enzyme and replaced filter and put the bag with crystals behind the filter in the chamber. I forgot to rinse the filter out though...eeek, lote of carbon dust came out, I just had too much on my mind, all this fish stuff! I hope they will be okay, the guy at the fish store also said keep a few inches of water out so the water fall pump will act as an aroebic feature for a few days to help with the dispensing of the water and new treatment to get rid of the high amonia content faster. Hopefully it will work. They also said my pump and filter are for a 10 gallon and it is working fine, this guy is part of a fish forum too but told him how great you have been:) Thanks, Catherine

Answer
Hi Catherine,

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but over the past 35 years, I have experienced 10 gallon filters sold with 10 gallon tanks.

First of all, your filter is under-rated.  Not your fault and not the fish guy's fault.

The reason you have high ammonia, is because your filter is not strong enough to filter your tank.

I would indeed recommend increasing this, but I am really glad you got the ammonia out of the water and I hope this helps the situation. :)

Happy fish-keeping!

Renee