New Goldfish Help

Dillence

While at the carnival yesterday DD won a goldfish (not sure I agree with this) but the plan for it was to live in FIL pond where he already has a couple.

But they forgot it and they live a bit of a drive away so we thought we would keep it until we saw them again.

However when we get to the pet shop to buy somethings for it, DD wants a tank. I then thought that this may be a bit longer term so bought (on the advise of shop) a tank with filter (big enough for one fish) tap clear and some food.

However having looked at the tank it says to leave it at least 3 days before putting the fish in but at the moment the fish is only in a bowl with no filter/oxygen/tap clear etc.

I am not sure what is better- do I put it in the tank sooner - abandon it and drive to FIL - can't get there until Tues.

Any advice would be great. (having googled it, its so much more complicated and I want to do the right thing for the little thing)

krlyr

I thought goldfish at funfairs had been banned!
Firstly, before you use the tank, I would doublecheck it really is big enough - many of the tanks sold in petshops are undersized, goldfish do not "grow to the tank size" but an undersized tank will stunt their growth and cause a premature death. Goldfish have lifespans into the double figures but many do not reach it as their tanks are far too small.
This guide for goldfish covers tank size
http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/info/keeping-fs.htm

You shouldn't really put him straight into a tank, but many people do. I think (racking my brains to when I worked in a petshop) the issue is due to the lack of "good" bacteria in the filter making it less efficient, it needs a few days for this to build up. However, fish is getting no benefit of any kind of filter at all in the plain bowl so he's going to have a better chance in the tank. Personally I'd transfer the water from his current bowl into the tank (scoop fishy out into a plastic cup before your pour it in!) then top up with treated water.
Also you could try a local aquatics place for advice, they may be more knowledgable than a regular petshop. I've heard of using secondhand/old filter inserts or gravel to speed up the 'cycling' process of a new tank so they might be able to help out with that, you transfer the good bacteria via the filter insert or gravel.
In the meantime, be very conservative with his food (overfeeding is quite common and uneaten food will dirty the tank) and perhaps do some more frequent water changes.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/jump_start.php

Wellyboots6

If it was won at a carnival I can't imagine they followed the 3 day rule, used tap clear etc before putting it in the bag (if it came in a bag?).

With my goldfish I usually chuck them straight into the tank once I have cleaned it out and re-filled it, and have never used tap clear or anything. They are now 5 years old!

I guess you have to do what you feel happiest with though, although I think carnival goldfish are notorious for not lasting very long

Dillence

Thanks both

I've put it in the tank and will check with a specialisd aquatic place when I can.

It looks much happier investigating it all.

- Yes I was quite surprised to see them there - I dread to think how many make it over the next year.

Froglet

Sorry Katy,you are not really the best person to advise on how to care for a goldfish.The tank should not be "cleaned out and refilled" especially if you are putting the poor fish back into tap water.just because they have survived for 5 years does not mean they are comfortable.the chlorine in tap water burns their gills.And whether you have a filter or not,(which is essential anyway)you should never replace all the water in one go.Small water changes,and gradual cycling of the filter is the correct way to go.

Dillence.On this site http://forum.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/ where you will find all the help you should ever need,we are trying to get a petition signed to stop this cruel practice of giving fish as prizes.Most people who win them have not a clue how a fish needs to be cared for and even if they do care,like you obviously do,there are steps you should take long before you actually get the fish.

Good on you for getting a tank though.It will be much more comfortable in there for now but i honestly believe that all common goldfish which have the potential to get large,should live their lives in a pond.I would take him to your in laws and if the children still want a tank,look into setting it up as a tropical,but get it cycled first.They are actually much easier to care for than goldfish.

I have just had my pond made larger for my large collection of goldfish.It holds 1800 gallons,and i have had ponds for over 20 years.Now not everyone wants to,or can afford to,go to such lengths but the joy of healthy fish with plenty of space and lots of plants to swim around,is worth the cost and effort i put in to keeping them that way.

on the PF site ,under the pond section,you can see my new pond here on page 3 of the topic http://forum.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/showthread.php?t=83854

cavework

We had a large tank with cold water fish /goldfish. We kept it for 4 years but the fish just got bigger and bigger. We had Shubunkins(sp) Tri tails ..One fish got a pebble stuck in his mouth, it was a tri tail and my OH had to remove it with tweezers .. it then had swim bladder problems and swam upside down for 18 months
We had a tench that was supposed to keep the bottom clean ..
At the end of the day Froglet is right .. these fish need a pond and we ended up passing them on to someone with a pond when they got too big for the tank
As for the Fair goldfish ? In the 1960s my Mum had 2 that I won at the fair , we kept them in an old fashioned Goldfish bowl which she changed weekly. straight out of the tap and added a bit of water cress , she put them in the washing up bowl while she changed their water and any time they started floating my Mum dropped a tiny bit of brandy on their nose.. They lived for about 3 years

Froglet

In those days there was very little known about how to look after goldfish,and because goldfish bowls were so common,and there was little choice, it was thought they were ok.Sadly ,although there is much info available now about how to do it properly,some people will still take the easy and cheap route.

In ponds that are maintained properly,goldfish can live up to 40 years.Some of mine are 20 plus.

lollipopsarah

Thankyou OP for posting this, I too thought it was banned!
However, for about 2 months or so now I've had people buying fish tanks for their darling goldfish (which they won on a local pier).
Someone mentioned about over 16's but I'm sure they don't care about that.
Just a word of warning, if you do win a goldfish, don't just bung it with the rest - it may not be well!
xx

Froglet

That's a valid point Sarah.Hopefully the OP will have had it a little while before it gets to go in the pond,and any signs of sickness,which is common after the extreme stress of hanging in a hot plastic bag for hours on end,will show up.

You are correct about the age limit but as you say,what do they care?

Do i assume you work in a pet shop or aquatic centre,Sarah?

Dillence

Thanks for the advice everyone. We will probably now keep the fish for a while but then transfer to grandads pond, where it will have a couple of friends.

The fish at the carnival were in plastic pots and they were also selling plastic goldfish bowls for £2 - but no oxygen tablets, water cleaner or food. The pet shop that I went to said that a few people already had been in that morning looking for things for a newly won goldfish.

We will be off the aquatic shop next week to see what else we need and checking out the details on exactly how to change the water.

Froglet

Of course they weren't selling anything that the fish actually needs.They want the poor things to die pretty quick so they can return and try and win another one.It is disgusting.

As i say,if you read up on the fishkeeping site i gave the link for you can hopefully keep the little fish healthy and prepare him for his new and better life in a pond.The sooner the better so he has time to adapt before the weather turns cooler.Even a change in temperature can affect them,unless it is done gradually.

Thanks for caring enough to ask advice.A pet shop doesn't always have your or the fishes best interest at heart,sadly.