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June 20, 2013, 12:13:01 AM
Pet Goldfish - Aquarium Forum Community
Aquarium
General Goldfish Discussion
Help new gold fish will not eat
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Topic: Help new gold fish will not eat (Read 2369 times)
KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Help new gold fish will not eat
«
on:
August 27, 2010, 04:03:39 AM »
The spaz will not eat
got it Sunday was 3 fish
1 died before it came home because if heat i think
next one died next day both did not eat
this one is left
it acts odd for a goldfish( will not swim up to eat only swims up for air from top looks like a koi
is tap water ok
i think i need to find a way to add oxygen to the bowl
cleaned bowl last on the 26
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Last Edit: August 27, 2010, 04:11:13 AM by ok777
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Hanna
Hero Member
Karma: 257
Posts: 3108
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #1 on:
August 27, 2010, 06:19:29 AM »
OOOOOOOOOOOPS
sorry to say, but according to the given info everything is wrong
your fish is swimming up gulping for air because it is suffocating
Never ever keep goldfish in a bowl, you should have a tank with at least 10 g per goldfish. Filter which turns at least doubble the amount of water per hour than the tanksize is, better more. Airstone and pump.
Plain tap water is not ok, you need a waterconditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine.
You must cycle the tank first before adding fish. The water test should show Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0 and Nitrate no more than 20ppm. pH should be 7,4-8,0. Temp stable, the best 20-24 Celsius
Do you know about the Nitrogen Cycle?
Never clean out completely. Do only partial waterchanges, so the beneficial bacteria can establish.
Use gravel instead of artificial pebbles. And real plants. They use up Nitrates and Carbondioxide and provide Oxygen for the fish.
Whatever you want / need to know more about (gold)fish keeping PLEASE ASK.
We'll help... and of course WELCOME TO THE FORUM
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Nossie
Hero Member
Karma: 481
Posts: 5469
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #2 on:
August 27, 2010, 08:38:39 AM »
Hanna covered it pretty well
But I'd still like to add that you should rather not feed your fish the first 24 hours, as they are very uncomfortable with their new environment. You should keep the light off as well as this will make the fish feel calmer
Other than that, make absolutely sure to have a proper tank with a good filter if you want to keep goldies!
Good luck
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #3 on:
August 27, 2010, 01:49:48 PM »
cycle?
this is the first time i ever took care of the fish because i am older (last time i had a pet was wen i was in 5th grade now going to 11th) so i am technically a noob and whatever i know is probably wrong because i did not all this stuff that is needed (i don't think I am rety to get a Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) for my birthday that is coming up {try to see if i know someone who has tank that they do not need [for the Betta] need to find room and a good spot.) so far the spot that the gold fish is in is best i have.
I look at the fish there is still food at the top from last night what do i need to do so that he/she will eat?
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Last Edit: August 27, 2010, 01:52:31 PM by ok777
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Hanna
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Karma: 257
Posts: 3108
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #4 on:
August 27, 2010, 02:31:00 PM »
Please don't get discouraged, we'll help.
First you should remove the left over food as it pollutes the water.
... and with this we can start and talk about the Nitrogen Cycle and cycling the tank
... may sound scary but it is easy...
OK, lets get started:
1. Fish produce waste with their poop, etc. Plants decompose ( dead leaves ) uneaten food decomposes. All those produce Ammonia which is highly toxic to our fish. It is like swimming in sewerage.
2. to break Ammonia down we need beneficial bacteria. They brake it down into Nitrite which is still toxic to fish.
3. to break Nitrite down we need beneficial bacteria again which brake it down to Nitrate ( which is only toxic to fish in high concentration )
To control the cycle there are test kits available. I use the API Master TestKit for freshwater it contains all tests for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH. If you start cycling a tank ( planted with some live plants and add beneficial bacteria and some fish food but no fish ) Your tankwater will go a bit cloudy, which is normal. It means the beneficial bacteria try to find their home.
Ammonia will show first. After a few days it will start to go down and also Nitrites will spike. You will need to do some waterchanges, about 50 % but don't clean the filter as most bacteria establish in there and in the gravel. Keep adding beneficial bacteria, also a water conditioner every time you do those waterchanges.
After another while Ammonia will go down to 0 ppm and Nitrite will go down and Nitrates will show up.
A tank is cycled when Ammonia and Nitrites are both 0 ppm ( parts per million ) and Nitrate shoudn't be higher than 20 ppm, ideal between 5 -10 ppm. At this point it is safe to introduce the fish: one at the time for beginners
Now, here is where the plants "function" kicks in as well. Plants love Nitrates to grow. They also use up Carbondioxide which fishes produce. They need it for their Photosynthesis and they return Oxygen into the water... for fishes to breath
This is the basics how this small ecosystem works in the tank.
Hope it doesn't sound scary.
It is really not hard to test waterquality and do waterchanges.
According to Spaz not eating it is because he suffers in the bowl and gasps for air.
You also can try another type of food, as fish love different diets. Also feed only very, very little. If there is some food left after 5 min, remove it. For starters get some hornworth he may like to nibble on this plant. And a pump and an airstone to put in the bowl. Test the water and change 50 % of the water daily if necessary. Add some beneficial bacteria.
How big is the bowl? You might be able to use it later for your betta, if it's not too small. We keep our betta in a 34 l tank but he's got company with neons and corys.
Hope this helps
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #5 on:
August 27, 2010, 02:52:37 PM »
i am not sure how big the bowl is because the fish came home in the bowl (from what i herd they had goldfish as the centerpiece at a baby shower or some thing) bowl is filled halfway i think at lest 2 gal so far
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Last Edit: August 27, 2010, 03:01:27 PM by ok777
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #6 on:
August 27, 2010, 03:37:00 PM »
how do i make the fish eat (will to eat TetraFin / Tetra why?) its bein 5 or 6 days
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Hanna
Hero Member
Karma: 257
Posts: 3108
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #7 on:
August 27, 2010, 05:11:55 PM »
basically you cannot make it eat. If it doesn't he/she does not feel good.
How does he/she behave in general apart for gasping for air at the surface?
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
«
Reply #8 on:
August 27, 2010, 05:15:20 PM »
moving its mouth and looking at me
swimming crazy fast
swimming in circles around the bowl
one time in swimming in reverse
not eating
«
Last Edit: August 27, 2010, 05:18:41 PM by ok777
»
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Hanna
Hero Member
Karma: 257
Posts: 3108
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #9 on:
August 27, 2010, 05:19:08 PM »
This is normal behaviour. Does Spaz swim around too or is he rather inactive?
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #10 on:
August 27, 2010, 05:21:49 PM »
swims sometimes most of the time he is staring at his refection in the bowl
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Hanna
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Posts: 3108
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #11 on:
August 27, 2010, 05:50:23 PM »
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moving its mouth and looking at me
swimming crazy fast
swimming in circles around the bowl
one time in swimming in reverse
not eating
ok according to your edited post: "swimming crazy fast" is it as if Spaz is taking off like a rocket? does he bump sometimes into the glass?
this is not normal. Test the water asap and act accordingly
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Hanna
Hero Member
Karma: 257
Posts: 3108
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
«
Reply #12 on:
August 27, 2010, 05:51:16 PM »
GET A TANK ASAP
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
«
Reply #13 on:
August 27, 2010, 05:55:39 PM »
swims fat but stop befor hitting some thing [like a sprinting or some thing]
as if swiming away from me (why do you think i call him a spaz
)
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Andrea
Sr. Member
Karma: 163
Posts: 1059
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #14 on:
August 27, 2010, 11:10:36 PM »
ok777 you have to listen to the advice already given or you fish will not survive!
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
«
Reply #15 on:
August 28, 2010, 12:40:49 AM »
i when to petsmart and got a plant and water cond. for my fish
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Andrea
Sr. Member
Karma: 163
Posts: 1059
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
«
Reply #16 on:
August 28, 2010, 01:03:37 AM »
That's a good start but there is alot more work to do. Did you happen to look at tanks when you were there? Maybe just for now you could get an airstone and air pump for your bowl to put more oxygen in the water until you can upgrade
Did you get your water tested?
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Nossie
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Karma: 481
Posts: 5469
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #17 on:
August 28, 2010, 01:40:06 AM »
There's always a load of cheap secondhand tanks! Look around, ask in the pet shop... search on the internet... you'll find something!
But if you don't want your fish, (in other words: Don't care to get any tank for it) either give it to someone who has a tank, or simply put him in a bag in the freezer for a few hours without disturbance.
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #18 on:
August 28, 2010, 04:09:18 AM »
sorry i did not mean to say kill him
i will to not kill him but i will keep him
«
Last Edit: August 28, 2010, 03:45:21 PM by ok777
»
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #19 on:
August 28, 2010, 04:14:05 AM »
+ he is happy with the plant he stays with the plant if he will not eat fish food he will eat the plant and I will buy a new one of $1.99
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
«
Reply #20 on:
August 28, 2010, 04:18:54 AM »
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+ he is happy with the plant he stays with the plant if he will not eat fish food he will eat the plant and I will buy a new one for $1.99
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #21 on:
August 28, 2010, 04:28:28 AM »
i saw a betta and spent the rest of my money on it and its tank as a teen I dont have alot of money to spend I wish i got some thing to test the water
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Andrea
Sr. Member
Karma: 163
Posts: 1059
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #22 on:
August 28, 2010, 04:33:05 AM »
Then why did you buy another fish?
?? You should have spent the money on saving your goldfish's life.
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
«
Reply #23 on:
August 28, 2010, 04:37:09 AM »
i am only 16 you think i would think strat
I saw that i can buy the fish i want for my bday so what teens are self fish and do not think yet i thout about and got
the plant for now
i got to buy my pet
the goldfish was givin
haven't you had a crazy erg to get something
why did you give a -
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Last Edit: August 28, 2010, 04:53:53 AM by ok777
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Andrea
Sr. Member
Karma: 163
Posts: 1059
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #24 on:
August 28, 2010, 04:41:11 AM »
Why do I give a -? Because it's a freaking life that you're just going to go kill for no gain of your own and it isn't just going to die, it's going to be tortured to death. Good on you for getting a freaking plant buy you haven't done anything else right and won't listen to anyone because you're a d*mb sixteen year old, which is pretty much what you said. Instead of working hard to sort out your poor goldfish, you've just been a selfish id*ot and gone and brought another fish so you could be happy?
I don't care for you at all, but I care for your fish's life and I don't want to see one be treated like they are nothing.
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
«
Reply #25 on:
August 28, 2010, 05:06:25 AM »
ok i faradized things wrong but i do care because I like animals + all i care is that both the fish are happy no mater how mad i am because of you ok i am a selfish ass of a 16 year old going 17 but i have feelings and I do care if you do not think so i do not need to prove it to you at 3 am
the fish is happy
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Andrea
Sr. Member
Karma: 163
Posts: 1059
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #26 on:
August 28, 2010, 05:51:50 AM »
Why are you mad at me? You have absolutely no reason to be as I am only one with some sense out of the two of us. You are obviously aware your fish has feelings to and that is what I care about. Prove to me that this fish is happy as it doesn't sound like he is in this post. Happy fish eat, happy fish don't swim around crazily, happy fish don't live in a bowl, happy fish don't gasp at the surface of the water. You even said yourself that fish is acting odd. How is this happy???
You have to realise I am just trying to help you and Spaz.
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Hanna
Hero Member
Karma: 257
Posts: 3108
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #27 on:
August 28, 2010, 06:44:23 AM »
OK guyz I understand there is steam on the road, and it makes me sad too and also makes me cringe if our animals suffer because lack of knowledge.
We all have been down the same track, including me when I started with our Humphrey and Hepsiba. BUT I can say I reacted immediately, asap I noticed sth is not right. And I took all good advice serious, resisted the temptation to get more fish, wich is VERY hard every single time entering the fish shop....and it was worthwhile, because in the meantime we are happy fish-parents of 5 goldies, 5 happy, healthy, thriving goldies, beautiful and funny characters.
But we MUST set priorities right.
This is sth, ok777, you must learn now, you are "old" enough. This is why Andrea told you her opinion and sure you see that she is right. Your fishy Spaz IS NOT happy acting like this...
So please follow our advice how to care for Spaz, save your money for him/her. In the meantime you can have your water tested at the petstore, this should be a free service. And do waterchanges accordingly. Let us know about the exact results and we guide you through those waterchanges, how much you should change.
Focus first of getting a big enough tank with proper filter, airstone, bit more plants and peasized, natural gravel, beneficial bacteria and waterconditioner and then testkit... as you know... priorities
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Nossie
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Posts: 5469
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #28 on:
August 28, 2010, 09:25:44 AM »
ok777: You shouldn't be reacting so strongly at something you said yourself, you said that you're selfish and whatnot (I don't need to repeat that). And hey, if it's just a fish to you, I won't be trying to change it, but if you come here and ask for advice that you won't listen to, and you buy yourself more fish (more possible problems) then you can start noticing that people will find you irresponsible.
I am only two years older than you, I've got no money myself, but what I have, was being used for my goldfish. But a little at a time, I was taking best care I could of them all in an 8 gallon and a 10 gallon. I had 7 fish. I'd dare say that's worse than keeping one in a bowl. But anyway, it's easy to care for a fish. Ask around for some tank! Maybe someone has something sitting around the garage? In meantime, all you've gotta do, is to change the water from time to time for this fish. Nothing more than that! And changing the water isn't going to cost you much, all you need is a water conditioner! But this fish isn't healthy nor happy if it's hiding around in the plant, refusing to eat. Take care of one thing at a time, if you think you can handle both a betta and a goldfish right now, no problem! We'll all be here to help ya until things are sorted out! In meantime, do your part of the work.
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KingArt777
Jr. Member
Karma: 3
Posts: 80
Re: Help new gold fish will not eat
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Reply #29 on:
August 28, 2010, 04:12:46 PM »
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sorry i did not mean to say kill him
i will to not kill him but i will keep him
sorry to all i made mad i would never kill my goldfish
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