My Fish Keep Dying! Why Is This Happening?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Elizabeth K
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Elizabeth K

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I'll assume that you did not cycle the aquarium prior to adding fish, or take the time to research proper goldfish care.

All aquariums need to be cycled which means you allow the tank to build up beneficial bacteria that breaks down fish waste. You do this by allowing the tank to run fishless for a few weeks and twice daily add a source of ammonia like fish food to mimic fish waste.
By adding fish to an uncycled tank the water is biologically dead and has no way to break down the fish waste. Ammonia is lethal in any amount, and in a ten gallon tank, uncycled, with two goldfish, they died quickly of ammonia poisoning.

A ten gallon tank is not suitable for goldfish. Even juvenile goldfish require no less than twenty gallons. The general rule for fancy goldfish is 20 gallons for the first and ten more gallons for each additional. Because of their high waste output they also should have double the filtration.

Because of how forgiving Petsmart is, I think you should return this goldfish. Take the time to research proper fish/aquarium care and cycle your tank.

~I work for Petsmart and would not have sold you goldfish because of your tank size, and because you have not cycled the aquarium. I know that the pet store associates should have known better, but fault does not lie completely with them. If you plan to take on the responsibility you should perform your own research.
 
I am at my wit's end with fish! After my son's hamster died, we decided to get some goldfish. I purchased two ryukins. They were very active and the kids loved them. We fed them according to the sales associate's guidelines and set up the tank how they explained it as well.

They both died. One got stuck in a coral decoration (that I feel AWFUL about) and the other one was found "sleeping" upside down.

I took in a water sample in and was told the amonia levels were pretty high and that could have been the reason for their untimely death.

So I started the tank all over, using a brand new 10 gal. tank and set everything up. Petsmart was nice enough to refund me for the two fallen fishies. And I purchased an Oranda along with some small green plants for the tank.

Well today out little swimmer was stuck to the intake of the filter. He wasn't sucked in, because there is a cover on it. But he's messed up just the same :(

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? I have a Top Fin Power Filter 10. It says it's for a 10 gal tank.

I'm excellent with dogs, cats, birds.......apparently not fishies.

Please what can I do to make sure I am not hurting any more fish? I feel absolutely terrible because of my ignorance, two fish have died and one is swimming around upside down with a pump hickey on its back :(:(:(
The goodl ole folks at Petsmart said to run the tank for 48 hours befor adding any fish. No one said to cycle it because they were just goldfish. Boy was I misinformed!
 
How long did you have the tank set up for before putting fish in it? Also, a 10 gallon tank is not the right size for goldfish. Goldfish require at least 20 gallons when they are full grown. The Top Fin filter is also not that great. I find that they are rather weak and don't do a good job at filtering the tank.
 
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