Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
I recently purchased my first goldfish (shubunkin) from my pet store and just a starter kit goldfish bowl.?
After a week or so I felt it was to small and bought a 5.7 gallon tank with a light and filter. I let the water stand a week, added the correct amount of tap safe conditioner and moved him in how I was told with water from his bowl. He has become very distressed and is gasping at the surface quite a lot. He is also darting around looking frightened. I dont know if it is the filter because he's not used to it or the bright light as he has come from a bowl. I would be gratefull of any suggestions or answers? thank you
5 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
don't let these other people scare you, the fish is upset from being moved, turn off the light and let him relax
you said the water was a week old and the filter is running, right?
then everything should be okay in a day or two when he settles down, you might want to get some sort of decoration or plant for your tank so he has a hiding place
good luck
Source(s): goldfish breeder 35 yrs pondkeeper 30 yrs - Anonymous1 decade ago
A fish that is gasping at the surface of the water is usually suffering from a lack of oxygen, that could be due to a lack of oxygen in the water or the fish's inability to absorb the oxygen from the water.
Check the Filter to be sure it's working properly. If it's not working properly, immediately fix it.
Check the Temperature of the water on the thermometer, if this aquarium has a heater. If the temperature is out of the correct range, then adjust the aquarium heater.
Check the water surface, if there is oil or scum then carefully scoop water off the surface until you've removed two inches of water. Replace the water with fresh safe water.
Make sure the aerator (bubble maker) is not clogged and working properly. Check that the tubing doesn't have any holes and replace it if it does.
- lady_crotalusLv 41 decade ago
TANK IS TOO SMALL!!
Baby-juvenile long bodied goldfish such as shubunkins need 20 gallons PER fish.
Adults will need 50 gallons PER fish because they get 12-14 inches long.
They also need ALOT of filtration because they excrete ALOT of ammonia and need ALOT of dissolved oxygen in the water.
Your fish is gasping and darting because the ammonia is burning his gills and body. DO an IMMEDIATE 50 percent waterchange and make sure the new water is dechlorinated and the same temp as the water the fish is in. Get him a larger tank NOW or return him to the store. GOLDFISH CANNOT GO IN SMALL TANKS.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
He goes to the surface cuz there is a lack of oxygen in your fish tank. You can buy an aerator that provides oxygen to the fish. Try to put another goldfish with him cuz he probably feels lonely.
- How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- voodoochildLv 41 decade ago
he is suffering from the lack of oxygen. try getting air stones and a pump. and then try getting some plants behind him so he will feel more secure, and some gravel. make is cozy and homy for the fish. and if possible get smaller fish, like neon tetras. they light up the bowl and only grow up to 1 cm. good luck
