My fish keep dying?

Question

I bought a 1 gallon fish tank with a filter and put two freshwater goldfish in it. I used distilled water plus the water from the fish store, and after one day one fish died, and a week later the other fish got ich and died too. I cleaned out the whole tank and then i bought two smaller freshwater platy's and put those in. One of them died a day later, and the other one now has ich!

Answer 1

Hi Marla, your tank is way too small for any fish let alone Goldies-they are suffocating on their own waste. Unfortunately you have not done enough research beforehand. I strongly advise you to research any fish you intend to buy well before spending a single penny-that way you will be aware of it's needs. As an example the link below describes correct Goldfish care. You also need to familiarise yourself with the Nitrogen Cycle described on the second link.

Answer 2

Dont use distilled water. I was told to use spring water and dechlorinated tap water (you can buy a dechlorinator at a pet store i think for like under $10 cuz its like the drops kind). I think that might be the reason. Do you have a themometor? and a heater? the water temp. could be too cold or too warm for the fish.

Also test for pH, nitrate and Ammonia levels using a water test kit u can get at a pet store.

Answer 3

Use QuICK Cure for the ich disease. Just in case use water conditioner. Make sure the fish get used to water before you put them in by leaving them in their bag but putting them in the water. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Sometimes it depends on the fish you have. Like for instance, Angelfish live for quite a while. It can also depend on how often you clean your water in the tank. Maybe next time, you shouldn't get goldfish. ;]

Answer 5

did you leave the water for a day or 2? you need to do this after you get your tank set up and pop some water conditioner into your water. you can buy this at any pet shop. also make sure you clean out your tank properly after u get fish with disease it it. sound like you have new tank syndrome :P

i would completely strip the tank and start fresh. clean wish salt water everything from gravel, ornaments, fake plants, tank sides. fill your tank with water. pop in the water conditioner. put the filter on and leave the tank for a day or so. i would then do a quick ph and nitrite test and if all is ok buy some new fish. and when putting new fish in a tank i also pu in some stress coat to help them adapt.

Answer 6

Main problem - 1 gallon 'Tank'

It's practically impossible to establish a proper cycle in that size tank, so ammonia quickly builds up in the tank and either kills the fish directly or weakens them so much they die of some other infection.

Try again with a 10-20 gal tank and read up on how to cycle the tank and establish a stable ecosystem that lets your fish live a long and healthy life.

Ian

Answer 7

your fish are dying from ammonia poisoning most likely. the ick is always present even in extremely healthy tanks your fish become more stressed and more likely to have health issues if the temperature is out of there preferred range or the water parameter are out of control. you should read up on the nitrogen cycle ( http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles... ) before buying anymore fish and  you should always read up on the types of fish you are planning to purchase before heading to the pet store of your choice.... good luck and happy fish keeping!