New Goldfish Help

Daniorerio

bazster wrote: »

Why?

As someone who used to do a lot of angling in my younger years, I know that fish naturally adapt their size to the conditions. For example, a lake which contains no natural predators but has plenty of nutrients will contain many small fish of the common species (e.g roach) but few or no large ones. Conversely, where there is an optimum balance of predators and prey (or where the small fish are culled) the surviving fish will generally be much larger.

Or compare a common species such as roach when found in different kinds of water. In still lakes they will usually be much larger than in moving water.

So I don't think there is definitive size for an adult fish of a given species, and I don't think that smaller-than-the-maximum necessarily equates to unhealthy.

Are you sure the fish "naturally adapt their size to the conditions"? In the lake with predators, could it not be survival of the fittest? Hence a smaller number of larger, healther, fish?

In the lake without predators there would be nothing to "cull" smaller runts, meaning a much larger in number - but physically smaller, less fit - population. A fish that would normally be pike fodder is actually free to breed. Compound the problem with reduced food availability due to the overstocking situation in the lake, and you have a population of small fish - not through adaptation, but through less than ideal conditions.

In terms of roach in lakes v moving water, maybe you're struggling to catch the large roach in flowing water and could use some advice? Or the lake you were fishing was a better habitat?

Dillence

Quick Update

The goldfish was living quite happily in its tank but we decided it was time for it to go and live in grandads pond (we were persuaded by the neighbours kitten who liked to sit on the tank!!)

So this weekend we put him in the fish pond - hopefullly to live a happy life with a couple of friends.

We may look at getting a couple more fish (smaller) but will check everything out before we do.

Thanks to everyone that helped - I am sure it made the fishes life a bit happier!!

Froglet

That is really good to hear.Shows you were doing everything right to keep him healthy,now you have done the very best for him .

Don't get goldfish next time unless you intend getting a much bigger tank,.Tropicals are much easier to keep and you know their size from day one.So long as you carry out the fishless cycle first you won't go far wrong.

Ellie83

Froglet wrote: »

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

Froglet wrote: »

I am quite sure they are not at all happy.How can they be with chlorine burning their gills and body,and breathing in their own excretions.It is akin to living in a bathroom where you use the toilet ,don't flush it,and never open the window for a whole week.Would you like that? The fish exist,yes but comfortable? Happy? It really doesn't take much effort or cost much to use the dechlorinator that is designed to eliminate the chemicals in tap water,and a filter is a few pounds.

I have kept fish now for nearly 25 years and swimming around in a well maintained and filtered 1800 gallon pond is a bit more what i would call making a fish happy.And yes,i know that not everyone is able to provide quite such luxury! but a filter,decent size tank, and conditioned water are really a must

If you think i am exaggerating then just check out any fishkeeping site.

Amen to that.