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  How my goldfish was saved! Now what?

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Author Topic:   How my goldfish was saved! Now what?
housewife24/7
New Member

Posts: 1
From:Fruitland, WA, USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-07-2003 12:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for housewife24/7     Edit/Delete Message
When I found my goldfish this morning he was floating on his side not breathing. I remember an uncle told me he put his "dead" fish in warm salt water. So immediatly I did this. He had a whitish slime all over him. So I wrapped my hand around him and gently squeezed him just enough so that he would slide out of my hand. I was cleaning the slime off him basically. I put him alternatley in very cold water. because i once threw a dead goldfish into a pond with a turtle and he instantly began to swim. I left him there. He lived. Anyway, back to my story after a while he would look as if he were gasping for air so i took him out of the water for a few seconds at a time hoping i was helping. After about 20 minutes his breathing began to pick up but nothing near normal. So i made up some hot salt water and slowly poured it into the bowl with him and after about 10 minutes, his fins started to move. I noticed the white slimy stuff floating on top so I poured out about half the water and replaced it with room temp water and after about 5 minutes, he's trying to swim. Oh Yeah, I also prayed to God to save his little life. Now, My problem is trying to figure out where I went wrong. He's about a year old and he was a carnival fish so it was a miracle he lived that long. About a week ago we bought 5 more little goldfish. They are in a 1 gallon plastic bowl. No filter, no nothing, Just water. Why is he ( the biggest one, dying before the little ones are? How many fish can live in a one gallon bowl?

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dianenm
Member

Posts: 183
From:austin,tx, usa
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 10-07-2003 02:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dianenm     Edit/Delete Message
it's probably a lack of oxygen since he's already weakened. goldfish need filters (but not heaters). it's a sad myth that they can be kept in bowls. Bettas can be kept in bowls, though, since they are surface breathers.
also, you should try to keep one inch of fish per gallon of water, or thereabouts, depending on how often you're willing to change the water.
You should consider at least a 10 gallon tank with filter for your fishes. I think small gallon tanks look nice on kitchen counters : ) no need for stand.
good luck

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kc5gvn

Moderator

Posts: 806
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 10-07-2003 10:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for kc5gvn     Edit/Delete Message
Goldfish are air breathers as well, but a 1 gallon bowl is too small.

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nobodyyouknow
Member

Posts: 22
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-08-2003 01:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nobodyyouknow     Edit/Delete Message
wait, so you have 6 goldfish in a 1 gallon bowl? thats horrible. take back the 5 that you bought, and if you really want to keep your one large one, buy him a 29 gallon tank with a filter. goldfish can grow to be over a foot long and should live for many many years. your goldfish will have a severly shortened life in your 1 gallon bowl.

have you tested the water in your bowl? there is probably a huge amount of ammonia which could very likely be what is causing your fish to be sick. a larger tank would dillute it, and the filter will actually house bacteria that will remove the ammonia.

how often do you do water changes? this will help control the amount of poisionous ammonia in the water until you are able to purchase a suitable tank for your fish.

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dianenm
Member

Posts: 183
From:austin,tx, usa
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 10-08-2003 01:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dianenm     Edit/Delete Message
I've read to keep a goldfish in a bowl you need to change the water daily because of the large amount of waste they produce. goldfish can live in bowls for a time, but it's not an ideal way for them to live, in my opinion

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katanas_edge
Member

Posts: 266
From:Canada
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-08-2003 04:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for katanas_edge     Edit/Delete Message
Goldfish can grow well over a foot in length and live over 20+ years if kept in proper conditions. The oldest goldfish on record? Tish of Yorkshire, England who lived 43 years after also being won at a carnival. The inch/gallon rule aplies as with other fish. When bigger, additional room should be supplied. The white film is a reaction to the conditions and possible infection. You should get your fish at least a 20 gallon tank and be prepared to upgrade in a short time. 6 goldfish in a fishbowl is like cramming 6 sumo wrestlers in a phonebooth! And no, not even 1 goldfish cannot be kept in a healthy condition in a goldfish bowl for very long (ie: several years).

[This message has been edited by katanas_edge (edited 10-15-2003).]

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