golden sucker fish

Question
QUESTION: hi. i have recently purchased a golden sucker fish which i was assured would be fine in my cold water tank. i have two gold fish in it and there fine but my new fish is laying on the bottom of the tank on its side and I'm really worried about it. my tank is about 3gallon and its filtered and i also have a plant in it that was recommended by the shop although i couldn't tell you what it is. please help as i fear my sucker fish won't last any longer. my tank has also just had a 20% water change and a clean. i haven't got a gravel cleaner.thank you for your time

ANSWER: Hi Ann:  Not sure what a golden sucker fish is... there is a golden dojo loach and a golden chinese algae eater... both look kind of like each other but the loach has whiskers around its mouth?  If you have a loach it will be fine.  If you have a algae eater it may not be ok if the water is too cold.  They should be in 75-82 degree water.  Do you know what the temperature of your tank is???? If it is less then 75 degrees you can try to add some warm water not HOT water but warm water to see if the fish will perk up.  Fish that are lying on their sides are usually in shock.  Shock can occur if the fish was not acclimated to the change in temperature between its original tank and the new tank.  Shock can also be due to how the fish was treated during the catching, bagging, and the ride home.  Stress is one of the most significant killers of aquarium fish.   Please keep me posted.   dave

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QUESTION: hi Dave. unfortunately my sucker fish died but i would like another one so would be very grateful of your help and further advice. the fish seemed ok when caught and was taken out of a tank with a temp of about 18degrees. it was acclimatized to the temp of my tank which is around 21degrees. the fish only had to travel a few minutes in my car to get home and although i can't be sure of its journey home (as it was in a bag to keep its temperature the same) it seemed happy when it arrived. I'm not sure of the breed  the shop told me it was a golden sucker, but i think i saw loach wrote on the tank it came of. it was only about 2cm long and rather slim and light orange in colour. i can't remember any whiskers though unless i couldn't see them as the fish was so tiny. it liked to hide too. for the few hours it wasn't ill it was very fast! once again thank you for your time and help it is very much appreciated.

Answer
More then likely the fish had a hard time acclimating to the new water in your tank. It is important to take a sample of water with you when you buy fish and then to also ask the store to test their tanks pH... they should be less then .5 difference between the two for optimal safety of the fish. Greater then 1.0 may cause fish death.  I would also check and see what kind of fish it was... the golden dojo loach are wonderful pets and when they get to know you will eat from your hand.  dave