Fish Battles!!!!

[Angel]

Hi my name's is Angel, and I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong forum but I need Immediate advice !!!

Okay so I have had goldfish for a couple years now and never had.this issue, I've been through ich, I've been through constipation, working on water quality you name it! I have a calico moore in a 30 gallon by himself happy guy! I recently bought a 55 gallon corner tank, i let it cycle for 4 months before adding any fish to make sure the new tank disease was way behind me (lol, that's a fish pun for me! ) anywho I have a fluval 306 model, I have two big pieces of manzita driftwood (that has been filed and siliconed the edges boiled and soaked for a couple days before adding), I have a plethora of live plants and two bubble sticks. I have a few rocks but not a fully covered bottom tank as I do regular vacumes and keep my water quality pristine!

I added my first fish which was my black Oranda (kingkong) he is also my biggest fancy, then I added my two Moore's one gold one calico. About 2 weeks later I ordered my lionhead from online and added him. (Assuming the first Goldie is allotted 20 gallons and each after is allotted 10 gallons, so that leaves 5 gallons to share ! ) or so you would think! My calico moore is religiously chasing the gold moore and my lionhead.
I've already come to the assumption of territory issues or a sick fish so I put my lionhead (Dutchman) in a Quaruntine tank to observe him closer. He has been on a 4 day veggie diet && his feces is looking great scales ate not bowed and overall bouyancy looks great! It has been 3 days since I moved him and will keep him there for 1 week to be sure. I thought that would eliminate both thoughts of territory or sick/weak fish. THEN I catch him chasing the other gold moore I have !!!!!!! I've had enough and am out of answers he is currently floating in my 55 gallon tank in a giant sphagttie strainer. && I desperately need some advice !

Just renovated my tank i will be updating a photo later!!! but for now this photo pretty much depicts my tank !

[Angel]

Okay so after reading about sexes I'm not 100% sure but I believe I have 3 female && one male... But the calico moore that I'm having chasing issues with, if I'm correct would be inadequate because that would mean a female chasing a female ? But I am no fish sex expert. So I did my best to get some pictures of the belly from.the top as well as what I believe to be tuberacles* ? And the backsides. I only have 1 of the calico... because he/she (i think the calico is a she dur to the bigger side one the belly in one side )is always full of energy ! &&excuse my tank water tint it has been that way since i added in alot of live plants 3 days ago.

[Angel]

Also wanted to share my two 30 gallon tanks! My tetras && my handsome Goldie 😍!

[devonjohnsgard]

Cute fish.

The casing could be just a territory thing, but my experience has been that there's some stress that causing the fish to go into defenece mode. It's like servival of the fit.

I would start with water parameters.

Here's something to start with.
Sick Fish Help- www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2016/09/how-to-treat-sick-fish.html

[Carl]

Nice looking fish!

I would agree with Devon here.

What are your tank parameters:
Ammonia
nitrites
nitrates
pH
KH
GH


What are you feeding?

Carl

[Angel]

Jan 27, 2018 11:47:19 GMT -5 Carl said:

Nice looking fish!

I would agree with Devon here.

What are your tank parameters:
Ammonia
nitrites
nitrates
pH
KH
GH


What are you feeding?

Carl

Thankyou!

I went and had my water tested today, and my ammonia is 0ppm, my nitrites are also 0ppm, my nitrates are 10ppm (but this Monday is a water change day so that should cut in down), my ph is 7.4

So other than a very small bit of nitrates. I have my water a little warmer at 74.

[devonjohnsgard]

Those are great numbers. More importantly, we need to know KH and GH. KH will tell you how stable your pH is and GH will tell roughly about electrolytes in the water.

Here's some helpful information:
www.fishbeginner.info/home/aquarium-gh-kh-ph-chemistry-what-to-know/

[Angel]

I will get a test kit for that ! I unfortunately don't have one. I'll deffinately let you know monday.

Also food wise I feed then life spectrum sinking pellets as a daily food and throw in some deshelled peas and boiled carrots or broccoli tops at least 2 times a week. And I do a small vacume after feeding the fresh foods to eliminate food waste issues. Ikm not sure if that's too often to be feeding veggies. But they seem really happy about it.

[devonjohnsgard]

Jan 27, 2018 15:54:18 GMT -5 Angel said:

I will get a test kit for that ! I unfortunately don't have one. I'll deffinately let you know monday.

Also food wise I feed then life spectrum sinking pellets as a daily food and throw in some deshelled peas and boiled carrots or broccoli tops at least 2 times a week. And I do a small vacume after feeding the fresh foods to eliminate food waste issues. Ikm not sure if that's too often to be feeding veggies. But they seem really happy about it.

Here's some really good info on Goldfish feeding.
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Proper_goldfish_feeding.html

[Carl]

Jan 29, 2018 13:30:42 GMT -5 devonjohnsgard said:

Jan 27, 2018 15:54:18 GMT -5 Angel said:

I will get a test kit for that ! I unfortunately don't have one. I'll deffinately let you know monday.

Also food wise I feed then life spectrum sinking pellets as a daily food and throw in some deshelled peas and boiled carrots or broccoli tops at least 2 times a week. And I do a small vacume after feeding the fresh foods to eliminate food waste issues. Ikm not sure if that's too often to be feeding veggies. But they seem really happy about it.

Here's some really good info on Goldfish feeding.
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Proper_goldfish_feeding.html

I would also suggest this article for more in depth information about fish food:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Quality_Fish_Food.html

I definitely do not recommend New Life Spectrum, too high of energy levels and way to low in fiber, which goldfish is very important.

Consider:
Clay Neighbors Custom Herbivore (best)
Spirulina 20
Sanyu
Hikari Baby Gold

Carl

[Angel]

Jan 29, 2018 16:53:21 GMT -5 Carl said:

Jan 29, 2018 13:30:42 GMT -5 devonjohnsgard said:

Here's some really good info on Goldfish feeding.
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Proper_goldfish_feeding.html

I would also suggest this article for more in depth information about fish food:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Quality_Fish_Food.html

I definitely do not recommend New Life Spectrum, too high of energy levels and way to low in fiber, which goldfish is very important.

Consider:
Clay Neighbors Custom Herbivore (best)
Spirulina 20
Sanyu
Hikari Baby Gold

Carl

I ordered some of that food hopefully that helps. And I haven't had a chance to pick up the gh kh test yet.
But on a regular test strip as well as my freshwater master kit my water is great! Even petco says the water is great.

But they are still bullying my lionhead. Will change my.food methods as soon as the food comes in. This situation is very stressful for me ! I just want them all to get along !

[Carl]

In the end, you may need to separate the fish

As for a KH/GH test kit, these are readily available both online and in most stores
The 5 in 1 Test Strips provide a simple way to test both GH & KH quickly
(also readily available)

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquariumtestkit.html

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

I would ask Petco for a KH/GH reading. They don't generally read these, but are two of the most important test.

If you have a low KH, your pH will change, this is one of the biggest stress for fish and could cause this to bully others or get an illness.
GH gives an idea of electrolytes, but I recommend dosing electrolytes anyways. That's what doctors do for many issues.

[Angel]

Petco it is! But sometimes they are not very knowledgable..at least in my area 😂 that's why I literally made this account because I was stuck between a rock and a hard place! I've never had this issue before !

[devonjohnsgard]

Feb 3, 2018 19:29:19 GMT -5 Angel said:

Petco it is! But sometimes they are not very knowledgable..at least in my area 😂 that's why I literally made this account because I was stuck between a rock and a hard place! I've never had this issue before !

Interestingly. All fish I've gotten from them usually have zero issues. But the advice is marginal. You know what you're needing, so just ask them for the test.

[Angel]

So this is what's going on with my water. And tmrw I'm doing half a water change. I have a 55 gallon every Monday I change at least 25 since I don't have time to do small daily water changes with my new promotion at work.

What can I do to fix my water quality at this point.

[Angel]

I use ph neutralizer it's like a dust but apparently I'm not using enough or not using it often enough because my ph should be at a 7.2 I believe?
The nitrites will dissipate with my water change but I'm not sure what products to use to fix the other parameters.

[Carl]

Angel;
NEVER use Neutral Regulators.
From my Aquarium Chemistry article:
"I should also note that I do NOT find the use of Neutral pH regulators helpful for community aquariums ditto Discus Buffer).
A more natural balance of carbonate buffers and acid buffers (or a mix both natural or supplemented buffers) is much better for long term keeping of a healthy aquarium chemistry equilibrium. These products often use phosphates which are not a healthy way to neutralize pH/KH, and in fact these products drive out ESSENTIAL calcium and magnesium ions!! As SeaChem states on their website; "softens water by precipitating calcium and magnesium".
One danger of long term use is that I found, and this is backed up by the basic science of how these Neutral Regulators work along with the importance of calcium & magnesium for ALL fish, is that fish health IS AFFECTED long term.

If an aquarium keeper finds a neutral regulator the only way to stabilize an aquarium pH/KH, this indicates that there are likely too many acid producing organics such as mulm in canister filters (especially in ceramic media) or under gravel, decor, etc. in the aquarium. Another proof of this unnatural stability is if a Wonder Shell is used, it will produce a "dust" on the bottom that is easily stirred into a cloud in the water (due to phosphates in these products)."

With Goldfish a general pH of 7.5 what I suggest, although Goldfish can handle a wider range and stability as per the Chemistry article is best

I would suggest Wonder Shells and Malawi Buffer to correct your poor KH, pH, & GH

Recommended Reading:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumKH.html
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Goldfish_disease.html
www.fishbeginner.info/home/aquarium-gh-kh-ph-chemistry-what-to-know/

Resources:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/MedicatedWonderShell.html
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#malawi

Carl

[Angel]

Sorry that's what petco told me to use to bring my ph up. I also have no ceramic in my tank and I have rocks but not excessive. I have real driftwood real plants. Maybe I have too many plants ?

I also just tested the water I use in my water changes and the ph/gh/kh are the same. But I refuse to buy water from the pet stores ! 12$ for 2.5 gallons 🙄

Any preferences on where to get water for water changes or what you use. I have been getting mine from Wal-Mart refillable 5 gallon jugs.

[Angel]

I use prime to treat the water I get for my water changes. I have a fluval and I use ammonia remover and carbon in one chamber pre filter and biomax in another chamber and a have the sponges filters in another chamber and filter fiber as well in that chamber to help filter the microscopic yuckies that the sponge doesn't catch.
I use leafzone once a month for my plants and I have the lighting for my plants and they seem to be surviving that way.

I'm no fish expert but I will take any knowledge or suggestions that can help me better my fishkeeping ! And make my fish happy