help~ I think they are dying

Question
HI, we have had our tank for about a year and a half... 3 goldfish. One week ago, we added a plecostamus, he seems to be doing well. It is a 20 gallon tank, has a filter, bubbler etc... we do partial water changes etc.. everythign has been going fine, no sickness etc... two days ago, the 3 goldfish started hovering near the bottom, not moving, just sitting there.... (they did this once before, but I discovered that no one had fed them for a few days... yikes!! after feeding, they came back to normal) They have been fed regularly... maybe a little more often than normal... but i woudlnt say too much. This morning, they are jst sitting there on the bottom, like they are conserving energy or something... they dont even come up to the top when they think we are going to feed them....
What is wrong? Are they dying?
Help!
Thanks!
Emily

Answer
Emily,

What you describe has little to do with eating.  Fish can go for weeks without food.  I suggest you change about 30% of the water and add a product called STRESSCOAT to the tank water after draining and before adding new water.  Make sure the temps are about the same for incoming and tank water.  It is not necessarily unusual for fish to lay at the bottom once in a while.  What is the water temp?  Goldfish like it cool.  About 65-75 degrees.  Warm water will make goldfish go to the bottom where it is cooler.  DO NOT ADD COLD WATER TO THE TANK.  Make sure they are not receiving sunlight.  Let me know........Also add an aerator if you can.  It will disturb the water surface and bring needed oxygen to your tank.  Good luck and let me know.

MJ