Goldfish distress

[browndmb]

I am looking after 2 goldfish for neighbour and one has died and the other seems to be pining. It is near the bottom of the tank and barely moving. When I add food it does not appear interested where before it hurried to the top to feed. Help the owners are not back till Wednesday so what can I do? Will it just ajust to being on its own? Please help as I am sad to see it sad

[sallybb]

I dont think fish pine. Is the tank in direct sunlight if it is the water would heat up and be too warm.Has the tank got a filter that would aerate, is this working? If not the filter may need cleaning out. Are you over feeding which is polluting the water, only feed what will eaten within 10 mins.
It sounds like there is a water inbalance

[Mosaic]

It would do no harm to make up a new container, fill with cold water, let it stand a while to take the chill off, then net the survivor and put it in the clean water.
Now the container will depend on the size of the fish - as long as it holds water it can be anything from a proper tank to a clean bowl - if you use a plastic bowl it's best to buy a new one and rinse it well foorst, you don't want any traces of detergents in there.
It might be that the critters time is up, but separating the living and the dead is a good move. Whatever killed the one might be in the exisitng water - over-feeding is a key culprit - if you can see any food not eaten that's a clue. Don't feed the survivor for a day - they can go ages without food.
If they both peg it it's a shame, but it would be a kind gesture to buy a little fish replacement - not if it's a huge expensive one, they'll be insured for that....
Don't use the water, grit or weed from the old tank and clean all tank decorations before reusing

[sallybb]

If you follow mosaic advice and you tap water, make sure it is treated first with 'Safe Water' which will neutralize the chemicals in the water. If there isnt any in the house. Most pet shops sell it. We used to keep tropical fish it is not the best of ideas to do a complete water change, we only used to remove some water and replace with tap water and treat with 'Safe Water' and 'stress coat'. which helps to protect the fish

[browndmb]

Thank you all for help and I will now go and refresh the water. It has air going through the tank. Hope that will solve the problem and keep the little thing alive till its owner gets home.

[divegirl]

Probably too later here but DO NOT change the water unless you have a de-chlorinator to use [on the new water] in it's already weakened state a water change will most likely kill it!

Lisa x

[sallybb]

Theres nothing worse than looking after someones pets when there away. If they ask you again, just tell them to put a vacation feeding block in , which will release food slowly. and you will just check on them periodically to make sure the air filter is still working.

[jomifl]

Goldfish can go for a fortnight without food, whereas overfeeding wll kill them.

[Everhelpful]

Sounds like "Swim Bladder"(Overfed) Get stuff at Pet Shop.

[JonnyBoy12]

Sorry sallybb; can you explain to us all what a vacation feeding block is as I have never heard of such a thing. More importantly where can we buy one of this amazing products?

[Mosaic]

JB they've been around for years - get them at a pet shop.

[divegirl]

Feeding blocks are awful IMO,

[divegirl]

Oppps posted too soon!
They can easily contaminate the water and are generally more trouble than they are worth!
Most types of fish can do well with out food and if you are going away you are best off doing a big water change before you leave giving a decent size feed and leaving them to it!
You can get an electronic feeder that dispenses a set amount of food each day, these are better but still not fail safe.

Lisa x