Goldfish Issues.

[Malibu99]

Hi there, I -think- this is the right place to post this. Anyways- A week ago, we went to PetSmart and bought two goldfish (my first mistake, I know...); An Oranda named Splash and a Ryukin named Splish. Splash's scales were raised and was missing a few scales when we got him. Then a few days later, black smudges appeared on his body, which I am assuming was an undetected ammonia spike. I brought him in and gave him fresh water. Then he started floating on his side, so I gave him a defrosted pea. He wouldn't eat it. I went to work and when I came back, he had passed. So we went back and got a replacement; a comet goldfish. We put him in the pond and this morning, Splish has a bare patch with no scales, and his movements are kind of... jerky? I'll try to get a video today. They live in a 14 gallon pond (my mom's idea. I know it's too small. But it's what they have for now and we can't afford anything bigger.) and I use Goldfish Protect and Goldfish Aquarium Cleaner, along with daily water changes. Right now, Splish is in a half gallon jar so I can watch him. So my questions are- Is this a disease that I'm dealing with? Why'd Splash die? How do I treat Splish? Thanks for reading.



ETA- Here are pics and a video

Missing Scales




And te video. He really started doing the jerky movements in the middle of the video

http://tinypic.com/r/205f429/6

 

[Stacykins]

Ahah, yea, lets try and make the best of the situation since it is a little too late.

The 14 gallon aquarium is filtered, right? A brand new filter? If the filter is new, never used, or old and dried out, then the aquarium is beginning the nitrogen cycle. In a nutshell, it is starting to grow beneficial bacteria that will turn ammonia into nitrite, then nitrite into nitrate (nitrate is removed through regular water changes, 10-25% water changes, not total). The nitrogen cycle is a good thing. BUT while the bacteria is developing, it is hard, sometimes deadly, for the fish. First ammonia spikes, until the ammonia changing bacteria grow. Then once that happens, the nitrite (worse than ammonia) will spike until that set of bacteria grow. Ammonia and nitrite (also nitrate, but less so) are all toxic. That is why I always recommend a new tank, before stocked, is cycled without fish. It is an easy process, you literally just 'feed' the tank every day with some fish food. That provides the ammonia without fish, then once it is fully cycled, you do a 25% water change and add fish.

Anyway, you are right that your tank is overstocked. Fancy goldfish need 20 gallons for the first fish as a minimum, and ten additional gallons for each additional fish. This is because goldfish are large growing, incredibly messy fish. They are also resilient, which is why they can struggle along in bowls and gallon sized tanks when most other fish would die. In their ideal tank, it is kept cool with plenty of filtration and water movement. I know you can't get another tank. BUT you can make this one work until they start growing bigger. Filter it, like as in, over filtration. So if you are using a filter rated for a 15 gallon tank, instead use one for a 25-30 gallon tank. That will help somewhat.

But as for why the first fish died. He might've succumbed to ammonia. He could have been ill from the store already. If he was floating on his side, he could have been bloated with swim bladder problems. You were right to try and feed him pea pieces, since most of the time swim bladder issues are caused by fishy constipation.

Did you notice the missing scales on Splish just recently? It is possible he was missing them before. Overstocked petstore tanks will often lead over fish to damage others. Overstocked goldfish will attack scales and fins of other fish, especially during feeding time. He doesn't look ammonia burned, at least, that would show on the fin edges first (they appear to melt). Jerky movements though, seem neurological. High ammonia and nitrite can cause that to happen. Hard to say.

 

[Malibu99]

Thank you. It is filtered; and yes the filter is brand new. There are no burns on Splish; only Splash. It is possible he was missing them before; but I tought I checked. Is it safe to keep the fish in the pond or should I put them indoors for awhile? The only things I could do are: Put Splish back in the pond, Take them both out and put them in a half gallon jar, or move the 15 guppies into the half gallon jar and put the goldies in a gallon and a half bowl.


ETA- I gave Splish a pea too. He hasn't been eating (moving stress, I think), so I was trying to get him to eat. He just ate for the first time in a week

 

[Stacykins]

I'd put them in the pond, it is the biggest body of water, and thus the best for the goldfish

 

[Malibu99]

Okay, thanks. How do I keep the fish from getting injured by the cycling? More water changes?

 

[Stacykins]

Daily, small water changes. Like 10-15%. For the bacteria (that consume the ammonia and nitrite and convert it into a less harmful substance) to grow, they need food, the very same products they convert. Goldfish thankfully are resilient, and can usually make it just fine through cycling.

 

[Malibu99]

Thank you so much!

 

[Malibu99]

Just an update- back in the pond with his buddy, swimming around, playing, and recovered!