Animal Stories - People Talking About Goldfish



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Latest Animal Stories on Goldfish (1290)

bernadette - 2013-04-03
I have an oranda fish. He seems to be sitting on one side of the tank and its always the same spot. He comes up for food then swims around a bit. Then goes back to the same spot. When he comes up for air he blows the air out then goes back to the bottom of the tank. Any ideas what might be wrong?

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Clarice Brough - 2013-04-08
There may or may not be a problem as it sounds like he is feeding and not stressed, but sometimes these fish can have a swim bladder problem. Make sure the tank is well maintained with regular water changes, and you can try feeding a supplement of frozen peas (defrosted with the skin removed).

Laylovv - 2009-10-31
Moor Goldfish Owners, please do not put your moor in a tank with anything other than another Moor. If you are extremely experienced then disregard as you know what types can live in harmony. Moors are my favorite:) It makes me ill when I hear "I just bought a new moor goldfish and put him in a bowl" Or " my other fish nip my moor and scare him to the other side of the tank" Or "My moor is in a 3 gallon tank".

These fish CANNOT compete with anyother fish for food. If you think it is funny when your other fish nip at him try putting a pitbull in your bedroom and when ever you try to sleep it bites you. This is what your putting your Moor goldfish through. They are not athletes and their eyesite is poor but they have the best personalities of all fish I have owned. To kill a fish out of ignorance is still your fault. If you have killed more than 2 fish then pick a different hobby. Fish are not for children. If you are too busy to change 20% of the water each week then get a betta. If you do not have the money for a filter that is $20-$30 then go get a betta. If you do not have the money to buy your moor antibiotics or melafix or other remedies when it gets sick then you should not have a fish. MOOR GOLDFISH ARE THE MOST DELICATE FISH. DO NOT GET A MOOR GOLDFISH IF YOU HAVE NEVER HAD A FISH BEFORE.

Start with a Betta, or a NON-FANCY Goldfish. Regular old goldfish are very very hearty as are Bettas. These are fish you can put in a 3 gallon tank and feed and have very little responsibility.

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Mike - 2010-03-02
"Moor Goldfish Owners, please do not put your moor in a tank with anything other than another Moor?

The statement you've made is incorrect: I have a 30 gallon tank with a moor, tele, and dojo loach for the past 5 years and they get along fine, you don't have to house them with just moors as long as your goldies aren't fighting they can be housed with a bunch of different fish excluding aggressive fish as they will nip and bite at them.
Paige - 2010-03-16
"If you are too busy to change 20% of the water each week then get a betta."

Actually, water for a Betta should be changed more often than a Black Moor Goldfish, depending on the side of the tank. Anything under 1 gallon should have at least a 50% (preferably 100%) water change daily; anything over 1 gallon to five gallons should have a 20-30% water change weekly. Bettas are extremely prone to fin rot from dirty water, and although they are not overly dirty fish, their water does get contaminated fairly quickly.

Please do not assume that Betta fish are the easiest of fish to care for. Contrary to popular belief, they in fact should not be kept in anything under 1 gallon, because the lack of surface area for them to move around in can cause them to get ill very quickly. Bettas also need a slightly warmer water temperature, from about 70F to 80F. Although Bettas are good for beginners, they can't be completely disregarded when it comes to care. If these small needs are fulfilled, these fish can be great pets that are full of personality :)
Ferrell - 2010-04-21
Thats mean saying that kids cannot take care a black moor I just bought a black moor and my sis bought a shunbunkin yesterday. Today Blackie (black moor) is now the boss of the tank against a shunbunkin. I can change my water in the 2.5L fish tank. This is my first time having a fish and blackie is doing great with Sparkles (shunbunkin)
Gabi - 2010-06-21
Hello Laylovv, I just red your comment about the Moor Goldfish; I got one for my anniversary, and he seems a little bit sick. Like wanting to be under some rocks that I have in my aquarium. And he also is having some strange actions like ''seeing dead'' or laying on his side. I'm so sad, I don't want him to die :/. Can you help me? Is there an antibiotic or a remedy that I can give him? Or do you know why is he doing this weird stuff? Thank you so much
Noah - 2010-06-23
"Regular old goldfish are very very hearty as are Bettas. These are fish you can put in a 3 gallon tank and feed and have very little responsibility."

Although Bettas might be ok in a tank that small, "regular old goldfish" need even more room than fancy goldfish like Black Moores! Common, comet, and shubunkin goldfish need 20 gallons per fish as they can attain a size twice as large as fancy goldfish.
betty - 2010-07-26
I keep and love goldfish as well as bettas. There are many misconceptions that bettas can handle "dirty" water easier. It is very hard on them and I believe just as hard as on a goldfish. If you do want to start with a betta, decide to give it a good life by keeping its water clean and warm. If you decide to go with Moors, {I agree not the best first fish} be very sure they are getting food in their quite small mouths. They can slowly be starving, until one day they are limp and almost unable to respond. They can really have a hard time getting enough food. They need more observation than say Orandas or Lionheads but are wonderful.
Leah Macdonald - 2010-08-02
I started out with 3 moor goldfish and they were fantastic. Two of the three died not long after I got them although they were not particularly healthy from the start as the shop I got them from was not very good. I still have one of the three which has lived quite happily with a fancy goldfish for the last 3 years in a 60L bio-orb tank. I also have another moor in another 60L tank which lives comfortably with 6 white clouds and 2 orandas with absolutely no problems. From my experience they can live well with other types of fish it just depends on the circumstances but I agree that they should not be kept in a bowl or a 3 gallon tank as they do grow quite big. I have one which started out as less than an inch big and is now at 6 inches in just 2 years.
jennie - 2013-03-21
I have my black moore with another fancy gold fish and they r doing good so I don't know were u get ur info but it isn't true

tina - 2013-04-02
I have 2 red ryukin goldfishes, one is male and other is female i got both of them last year. I didn't put any plants in the tank but everyone says she's pregnant. How do i know? I also noticed he's been following her around in a 5 gallon tank. Can someone tell me what to do?

Leo - 2013-03-25
Hi, it’s me again, back to the shubunkin scenario of appearing to be sleeping lots lately. On my last discussion I fail to mention about the minnows. I had about a 15 white clouds and 12 rosy red minnows for a while and removed the remaining 6 two weeks later because the shubunkin was eating them. A few days later the two oldest shubunkins seem to be sleeping a lot lately and they’re not eating all their food. Occasionally they would sleep with their heads in the back corner not moving. They appeared to be ill and I did several water changes to possibly help to the situation. One of the water changes was 80% but I made certain the water temperature was the same and kept the filters unchanged to maintain the bacterial. Sadly to say but my 7' shunbunkin died yesterday along with 1 comet and 3 cories. The remaining one 6' shubunkin, 2 at 3' and 4 cory cats were transferred to a 20-gallon quarantine tank and will be staying there until I know they get better. What can I put in the 20-gal. to help recover their illness? I’ll be cleaning the 80-gal. tank and all its components before reactivating. Is it possible one or two of the minnows were deceased when the 7 incher ate it? Is it possible one of the other fish were ill and infested others? Is it possible the cories became ill and infected others? Go ahead give heck, I can take it and if ya don’t have an answer that’s ok too.

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Clarice Brough - 2013-03-25
Gosh Leo, sorry to hear about your larger Shubunkin. Other than 'sleeping' and a low appetite, your challenge is that you haven't identified disease or infection, so its hard to say what to treat for. Checking the water temperature, and parameters (ammonia, nitite, nitrate) are usually the first things to look at. And then a water change (with a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine) is usually the first place to start. From your description, it doesn't sound like your water changes were a problem. Still there are a number of illnesses that can affect goldfish, I'm kind of wondering if maybe they a swim bladder disorder. Also, watch for any changes in their behavior/eating since you moved them into the quarantine tank, as that could indicate a problem with the main tank. I think you may have to do more indepth research on goldfish diseases... fortunately there's lot of info available.
Leo - 2013-03-25
I can’t thank you enough for a response. Yes, I suspected a swim bladder issue, constipation, Itch, stress or even a lodged piece of gravel. However, I’ll let you know what I find out later and how the others are doing in the quarantine tank.
Leo - 2013-03-30
A follow up on the shubunkin appearing to be sleeping lots. I hope the following information will be useful to others. The result of the seven incher shubunkin that died is considered as an unknown factor. Two of the 3 ½' shunbunkin also followed the death of their tank mate and hopefully we’ll revive the others. The swim bladder disorder was a possibility and the suspicion of ichthyophthirius and/or lymphocystis being introduced by feeder comets and minnows is probably the cause. I just didn’t notice the spots on the beautiful all white comets early enough and I didn’t follow my own proceeder of quarantining the feeder fish. I was being unnecessarily cocky. A lesson well learnt to quarantine all fish prior to being introduced to the main tank. My twelve-year-old granddaughter with better eyes noticed the spots on their fins. The 20-gal. quarantined candidates are having a none raised temperature salt bath to hopefully remedy their long term issue, and it will. I’ve done this many years ago and was successful with explicit and careful instructions that are time consuming. The 6 incher that appeared to be sleeping lots the same as the 7 incher that died is now giving me the impression of getting better by being a little more active and the cories are also appearing to be doing well. I’ve stripped the 80-gal. tank and washed everything including filtration components with a bit of bleach to disinfect the unknown possibilities and of course thoroughly rinsed, washed again and rinsed, and rinsed again. Startup, decorated, water de-chlorinated and a biological cycle conducted that evening. All other feeder fish from five other tanks were transferred to the 80-gal. and we’re in the process of doing a raised temperature salt bath for 17 small comets, 6 commons and 36 rosy reds. All the other tanks will eventually be thoroughly cleaned and again, “a lesson well learnt” that created lost of unnecessary work by being foolish and/or cocky.
David Brough - 2013-03-30
Thanks for all the information. The advice about quaranteen of feeder fish is very important to understand what may happen if you fail to do it. Great Advice!

Lauren - 2013-03-01
Hi There, I am brand new to keeping fish, I currently have a 35Ltr fresh water tank with 3 white clouds and 2 Pearlscales. The white clouds I have had for a few weeks and they seem to be doing well. My two Pearlscales (Hansel and Gretel) I have had for 5 days. They are about 1inch long and very cute. I am concerned though as they don't seem to be eating much. I am feeding both pellets and flakes, but one of them (Hansel) seems to pick up the pellets and spit them back out again, same with the flakes. I have tried soaking the pellets before feeding, but get the same result. The other I hardly ever see hunt for food as Hansel does. I have tried feeding some shelled peas and lettuce as well, no results. Also Gretel seems to have gotten extremely fat in the past couple of days, and both the Pearlscales spend a lot of time hiding together in the corner behind my filter. I'm worried that they are either a) not getting enough food b) I'm not feeding them the correct things c) they are sick d) that one is pregnant (if she is pregnant I have no idea what I have to do to keep the babies alive!) Really hoping for some advice here as I don't want to lose my newbies! Thanks to anyone who can help. Lauren

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Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2013-03-06
Usually if they spit out their food they either don't like that particular food or the pieces are too big. I would just keep an eye on them and see if the problem continues or if it appears they are actually not getting enough food. You may want to try a different brand of flake and/or smaller pellets. If babies do come then read here on Breeding Goldfish.
Linda - 2013-03-26
Hi Lauren! Where did you buy your pearlscales? I've been looking all over to buy some. Thanks.

jennie - 2013-03-21
My Moore is blind in 1 eye. I don't know how this happened. It is all red with blood and his same side gill is bent over and open at all times. He is about 1 year old. Can they live with 1 eye and a damaged gill? I think he brushed up against a small water heater I have in the tank but I didn't see him do it. The tank gets super cold so I have a 3 gal tank heater by the filter. I turn it off when the tank gets about 70.

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Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2013-03-23
If he is eating and swimming fine and his wounds and eye appear to be healing, he will probably be fine. You could put some antibiotics in the water to help reduce the chance of infection.
jennie - 2013-03-24
Thanks and he is swimming and the eye is healing good. Thanks for your help. He eating good I got some stuff from petco to keep infections down but he seems to be doing good thanks again and may god bless your fish also.

Leo - 2013-03-22
The next few questions might sound a bit odd but I’ll give it a shot. I activated another tank and chose to do an experiment with feeder fish. I purchased 12 Comet feeder fish and 24 Rosy Red also feeder fish hoping to become pets? My expectations might be a bit unrealistic but they have spectacular markings that are interesting and beautiful. I do realize that they may have stunt growth but is there a change of recovering as a quality fish? Should they be feed differently? And can they live as long as the so-called quality fish?

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Clarice Brough - 2013-03-22
Feeder fish can make fine pets! Treat them with the same type of care as you would for any other goldfish, including the right environment (a large aquarium with good filtration), good food,and regular maintenance. The Rosy Reds are tropical type fish rather than coldwater fish, so be sure to have a heater and thermometer to keep the tank warm enough for them. Also, goldfish are a dirtier fish, adding a large bioload to the tank, so frequent water changes will be needed to keep everybody healthy.
Leo - 2013-03-22
Thank you for your honesty. I love this site. It is a great place to learn from others.

Leo - 2013-03-21
I recently did an 80% water change and the last few days I noticed the two oldest shubunkins seem to be sleeping a lot lately and they’re not eating all their food as usual. One occasionally sleeps vertical or I think he’s sleeping with his head downward for approx. three to five minutes at one time and not moving. The same one on occasion has sticked his head in the back corner not moving and appearing to be punished. I’ve never seen this type of behaviour. The other appears to be sleeping horizontal on the gravel underneath a stone bridge and one or two smaller shubunkins appear to be laying down beside him. It’s charming to observe but is there any cause for concern?

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Clarice Brough - 2013-03-22
That was a pretty big water change. Goldfish can be sensitive to big changes in their environment, and it may be why they are laying down. Hopefully they will pull out of it.

Dylan - 2011-04-06
Hello! I have two different age Black Moors and the older fish is starting to get really big. he acts as if he is hungry all the time. he sits at the top looking like he is trying to eat. Do I feed him more fish flakes or is there another food to give him since he is bigger?

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Anonymous - 2013-02-13
Hello The best thing to do in your case is to feed tiny amounts just a few flakes up to 3 times a day or use a different food I'm a carp fisherman and use a bait called a boilie crush them up in a blender or in a bag and hit gently with a rolling pin these last for hours and will keep your fish happy as can be I have 3 blackmoors and she loves them u can buy 1 kg my sure what this is in America for about £ 10 hope this has helped
jennie - 2013-03-21
I feed my Moore pellets from petco with a pic of mores on the bottle. he realy loves them. so good luck. mine is from middle finger tip to the end of my hand. so he is pretty big too

Leo - 2013-03-19
For about four months eight rosy barbs were housed with four shubunkins and recently three of the shubunkin’s tails were nipped by rosy barbs. I’ve removed the barbs to another tank temporally. When the shubunkins tails are grown back in should I return the barbs?

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Jeremy Roche - 2013-03-19
The barbs will more then likely go back at it. Barbs can be a challenge to house with others.
Leo - 2013-03-19
Thank you for your answer. They’re not going back in, I activated another 20-gallon tank just for the Barbs and a few Rosy Reds and I’ll eventually add a few Cory cats.

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