radu

Hi Gosh this is so good to have help, I feel like I am pretty much alone when it comes to learning and I don't have anyone to actually talk to about things. I live in J'ville in Wgtn. Yes, I did purchase the Ryukin from Iloveoranda, just asked him about the poop and he said not to worry though. But still would like to make contact with someone if pos to talk over things and get ideas about my setup. Have learnt alot but also lost a few fish over the time, too many for my liking to be honest. Can anyone tell me what they think about Nitrate levels for goldfish I took a reading last night and saw that it registered around in between 10 - 20 hard to tell exactly and what are the symptoms that the fish would show if the nitrates are too high?? thanks

Hi Okay am willing to try a salt bath, is it okay to do that to a Ryukin goldfish though?? Also, can someone please give me the exact dosage and time to leave the fish in the salt bath? Thanks

Hi Thanks again really helpful info, I feed them bloodworms daphnia, peas and brine shrimp. All is frozen, so do I let some of their food defrost and mix it in? Will the worming tablet cause any probs to the water/biological filter? and can I use a drontal dog worm tablet? If I worm them is it okay for the worms to be shed in the tank and should I vaccum the tank to try to get the dead worms out?? (Sorry, if I might be asking silly questions but I am new at worming fish). Is it a good idea to worm fish at times (like you worm dogs) as I have another tank too, so should I maybe also worm that tank as well??

Hi Thanks for the above info, I am happy to quarantine the fish as I have a hospital tank. Can someone please let me know what to use and the dosage for worming if that is required for a 50 litre tank, as my hospital tank takes 50 litres of water. I believe that in the past the fish was feed on dry food and I have given it peas and Brine shrimp since it has been with me. Also, what is metro?? Thanks

Hi if this is the case how do I treat this, or can I just leave the fish alone and it goes with time?? thanks

Hi Can someone please tell me do I have to be concerned if one of my goldfish seems to be releasing a stringy white cobwebbie poop. It is different from what my others are doing. I have had the fish for approx just over a week and it is not as outgoing as the others and today have found that it is producing this poop. Thanks

Thanks so much for the info, well I did cover the tank from 10 pm Monday till Tuesday at 7 pm. I can't help it I really felt sorry for my fish, and noticed that when I took a peck one was slowly moving at the bottom yep probably sleeping but as they are so dear to me I just couldn't cover them for 48 hours and just leave be. So what I am doing is feed them in the morning putting the light on then turn the light off for the rest of the day till the evening when they have it on for around half an hour to eat their second meal. The tank has been up and running since November and is fully cycled. I tried to take pic but could not work out how to load it up on here for you all to see what it looks like. Must say that the water has cleared a tad. Went into a website that said to do 20 per cent water change daily and starve the tank of light for long hours as I am now doing. Went to see the UV clarifier in the petshop and saw how expensive they are, I guess it might be just a matter of time before I get rid of this problem. I will look into the objects just previously mentioned and try them as well.

Just wondered though, does covering the tank increase or change any of the readings of the tank? ie. is there a chance of my nitrates increasing after doing this? should I do a water change after the 48 hours? the nitrates are sitting at 10 at the moment. All other readings are good.

Hi I think the problem started when I changed the lighthood to a PL lighthood that is pretty strong. I had it on my other tank and sure enough green algae started within a week. Thought the position of this tank was somewhat darker (but in the same room) so tried the PL light on it and sure enough that is when the green water started. Have now changed the light to a one tube weaker light, and will use this from now on. The other tank has now got two smaller tank lights on both sides each tube seems to be 9 watt. Noticed that the lighting is much cooler looking and not as bright. I was misled at the beginning told that the PL lighting also benefited the fish, but now realise ithat the PL light really only serves to look pleasant to the human eye and that the fish are probably even more okay with the amount of light I have in the tank now. (Well the cover is still on the tank stopping all light going in). Will remove it on Thursday night or I guess as 48 hoiurs will be up at 10 pm might remove it on Friday morning?

Hi Thanks all for your assistance - I have now covered the tank with my parrot cage cover which is really large and completly black, so will leave that on for a couple of days and then hopefully there will be some improvement. I guess I will feed my fish through little gaps in the cover so that not much light gets in. Will let you all know what the outcome is. I take you word for it that my fish are not going to be ultra stressed by being covered for two days? thanks

Hi But are there any drawbacks or mistakes that can happen from using one of these UV filters?? Am happy to buy one if it will work, is there anyone out there that could help me with advice and maybe installation. I am not mechanically minded and am not a pro with fishkeeping. Is there anyone out there that has used one of these and could assist in anyway? Would prefer to have someone look over my tank setup and assist in installing it if they are sure that it is the right thing to do, do not want to either hurt or loose any of my fish in the process of trying to cure this algae problem. Thanks

Hi Well I am happy to give a reward to thank the person that really helps me to eliminate this problem. If there is anyone out there that is really experienced in Fish keeping and would be happy to have a look at my setup and tell me what they think I would really appreciate it. If anyone is willing to assist please feel free to send me a private message. Don't know if it is okay to put this message here but would anyone in Wellington be willing to help out? I live in J'ville. Thanks

Hi Thanks for the response about the green algae problem. Could you please expand on the block the light part. Do you mean cover the tank so that absolutely no light can get in for a few days or just leave the light off? I leave the tank light on for 12 hours each day and have the main light in the room on for a couple of hours longer. If I do cover the tank for a few days won't that make my fish suffer? maybe, sleep for long periods and get depressed in some way?? (might sound silly but I do wonder the effect it would have on them?) I notice when I turn off their light they do seem to quieten down and eventually go to sleep I guess. Could you also please tell me how much water should I take out every couple of days? yesterday I took out approx 40 litres and the tank is 200 litres. Also, are my fish suffering at all from this green algae water? they seem okay but I wonder if they can see each other very clearly too?? To date I have tried to leave the tank for a week with no water changes, water changes each day for around a week, the bio chem zorb, a new filter (with the old good bacteria in it so it is not cycling at all), extra carbon, water clarifier and nothing has worked. I even had a the guy from the Hutt pet centre come over (paid him $30.00) to help but even that has failed! I feel like giving a prize to the person that can actually give me the right idea to make it go away!!! I find it extremely frustrating and ugly to look at. Please someone help!! (But I also don't want to stress my fish out at all through the process!). THANKS

Hi Well the next day he was fine, I kinda think that he might have swallowed a pebble, as he was also moving his mouth a lot as if he was trying to force something out. I gave him peas hoping that they would help move out what was in there, as I know they are a good bowel mover for fish. Over night something occured as he is back to good health. I do need help regarding the algae bloom though have tried water changes but nothing seems to lift it. When I take the water out there is definitely a green tinge to it. Fish are not suffering at all though which is always good. Can anyone out there please help me with getting rid of the green water it has been present for ages. thanks

Hi could someone please try and shed some light on this? One of my larger fish, that has been well and healthy. Has suddenly started to go to the bottom of the tank and tends to put his head down a tad and his tail sits up head down tail up kinda thing. He swims around well for a while and then just lands down on the bottom of the tank like this. Have put aquarium salt/tonic salt in the tank but he has been doing this for around 24 hours. Was thinking about maybe giving him a salt bath, but a bit unsure of how much salt to put into the bucket for the bath. He seemed okay on Friday and yet last night started this weird behaviour. Water parameters are good but I do have a algae bloom that has made my tank really cloudy and no matter what I try it does not go. Have used water clarifier and also put in Bio chem zorb and carbon in my cannister filter.

Hi everyone The other option is, is there anyone out there that might be able to transport the fish from Tauranga or Rotorua to Wellington. Meaning, is there anyone out there that is travelling from one of the above to Wellington in the near future that would not mind transporting the fish for me? Just a thought and I guess there is no harm in asking if anyone out there could help me?? as would prefer asap travel rather than over night for the fish to travel. Thanks

Hi I need to have couriered a large goldfish from Taurang to Wellington. Anyone out there suggest who to use? I know of one courier company that can do it over night, but would prefer either same day or a courier company that someone could suggest takes care with live fish? thanks

Hi On Monday got a phone call informing me that someone we knew had found a goldfish on their carpet at 1.00 am. Apparently, they'd gone out to the loo, saw something shiney on the carpet as they came out and first thought the cats had bought in a xmas decoration. On looking closer saw it was a goldfish that the cats had bought in and left on the carpet! The person we knew put him in the handbasin with some tap water and left him there till later arising in the morning. Well, by that time the fish was still alive so was then put into an old bucket with some more tap water and left to sit in the bathtub, (door closed so cats wouldn't go in). I finally got there after work with my little first aid fish kit, proceeded to add a tad of the Stress coat and some aquarium salt. Then had to put him into an ice cream container to transport him to my home. When home I set up my hosp tank, with some melafix, aquarium salt, filter and air pump and light. Well you wouldn't believe it, he was still up right but still, and the next morning was not only swimming around and looking happy but he even ate some brine shrimp I gave him. His face is a tad tortured looking as the cats seemed to have done some damage, his fins are torn and he has a few scales missing. But this is the fifth day of meds and he is doing really well! What a survivor!! When you think of all the odds against this fish surviving! (Just wanted to share something positive and if you have any suggestions or advice do let me know). His name is now LUCKY!!

Hi I have had an outbreak of white spot so I have just started using White spot cure by Wunder and put a good dose of salt in the water. Also, increased the temp to 30. One of my fish, where his scales are missing on his side has become slightly red looking. Did dip him in a salt bath yesterday but wonder if what I am using to treat the white spot will also treat the sore part on his side. It containes malachite green, acriflavine, quinine in an aqueous solution. He appears to not be as interested in food as usual today, where all the rest are doing the usual even though they have all got the signs of white spot on their fins.

Hi I have tested the water in my tank and it is 7.2, have been told that my Orandas need 7.5 - 7.8. Have a couple of fish that seem rather listless so was told to put a couple of seashells in the tank. Have done that and wondered how long it might take for the increase in PH. Also, any other ideas out there on how to get the ph level up? The shells are two small shells and my tank is a 4 foot 200 litre tank.

Hi Could someone please help! I have a very sick goldfish symptoms are: He lays still and he keeps on bending kinda curved on one side. He is breathing very shallow. Today, I took him out of the tank he is in as he shares it with a few other fish (they are in excellent health and show no signs of distress) and put him in a bucket containing around 6 litres of the tank water and some tonic aquarium salt. Also, put a few bits of food in their and within a couple of hours he seemed to regain his posture and had eaten the food. Have now put him back in the tank and again he is bent on his side and shallow breathing. He has small bouts of normality. Don't know what is wrong with him, he has never been that active since I got him. I am in fear that he doesn't have long to go, and am concerned that he might be suffering and wonder if it is kinder to euthanise him?

Hi Thanks for the info, I do believe I read the posts previously about this product. But when I went into the pet shop and looked for this and even rang a petshop and asked them for this no one could help. I went to the Hutt Pet shop yesterday and he is pretty much well stocked in what is available. Nothing there except the malachite green. So took what I could find. The oranda still seems listless at times (been 24 hours since starting treatment) the rest still seem fine. Hate having to wait this out to see if anything improves, as I worry about my fish a lot, and I guess this is the only forum that you can express these worries and have people relate to you and not think you strange!

Hi Have got an oranda that I recently purchased with the symptoms that have been figured out to probably have parasites. He flashes quite often and sits at the bottom of the tank often. Has does have times he is quite active and his appetitie is very good, though I do wonder how much food he does get as his hood seems to cover his eyes a tad. From reading earlier posts figured that Malachite would do the job, added 170 drops to a 205 litre tank and added some aquarium salt. Was most disappointed when going to the pet shop as I was recommended by a American website a couple of excellent products that of course are not available here in NZ. In fact, did not find anything that remotely resembled a parasite treatment. I also put the temp up to 28 degrees, just wondering if what I have done is all I can do so far. Also, wondered about the biological filter, am I to experience problems with cycling once again? Hate for that to happen as that experience nearly put my off fish keeping for good! By the way the fish is calico, and so I cannot see any signs of itch even on his head which is orange.

Hi thanks for the info, yes you caught on quite well about the reason for me increasing the size of my tank. The Fluval 304 is meant to filter up to 300 litres tank water, so I have over compensated by getting a filter that filters more water than I have (205 lites) I was actually told to get this filter by the Fluval rep as he was in the shop when I bought everything. I do 25% water change weekly.

Hi Can someone please let me know what is the rule of thumb when it comes to how many goldfish per litres of water. I have a 205 litre tank and have two 17 cms long gold fish, one 16 cms long fish and 2 x 10 cms long goldfish. Would like to put in two more 16 cms long goldfish but not sure if I am overstocking. Have a Fluval 304 filter running in the tank. Thanks