Fish Tank Problem: High Ammonia?

Question

I purchased an Eclipse hexagon five gallon tank about a month ago. I let the tank run for a couple days, as suggested by the associate at fish store, before I put any fish in. I purchased two fancy tailed goldfish and put them in the tank. I am well aware of the cycling process a fish tank must go through in order to mature. When I purchased the fish tank, I also bought a Live Ammonia Reader to monitor ammonia levels. The ammonia monitor has consistently been in danger and toxic levels since about a week after the fish were in the tank.

I let the ammonia stay, hoping it would drop off and nitrates would rise, but no luck. I've performed water changes and added ammonia detox with no luck again. One fish has died, while the other is still alive, but has developed dark gills, which I believe is a sign of ammonia poisoning.

My question is, is there anything I can do, or do the goldfish produce too much waste for such a small tank. Also, what are the odds of the fish making it through the ammonia poisoning? Thanks for the help in advance.

Answer 1

They produce WAAAY too much waste. In fact, they grow up to a foot long and 2 Fancy Goldfish require a 30+ gallon tank. I suggest getting a heater, finish cycling, and get a Betta.

Ammonia detox and other chemicals do nothing for your tank, except mess up your water chemistry.

Keep on doing weekly 10-25% water changes and let the cycle naturally take its course.

Also, invest in a real liquid test kit. They're far more accurate than the ammonia readers.

E-mail me for any questions!

Answer 2

Your tank is too small for gold fish. They can't produce more waste than than food they are fed BUT they are usually over fed. You neglect to say how big the fish are now but they grow quickly and they don't just grow to the size of the tank and live happily ever after. They get full grown (up to 12") or die before they should. You should be feeding no more than once a day, any uneaten food should be REMOVED from the tank in three minutes not just left to collect in the filter because then it is STILL in the tank. You are due for the monthly 1/3rd water change as well. Your goldfish can survive easily for a week without eating so do yourwatrer change (1/3) and don't feed for the next few days. The ammonia levels should drop.  Most importantly though, your tank is TOO SMALL for goldfish.

Answer 3

Ok, 2 fancy goldfish need at least a 30 gallon tank due to waste and the fact that they grow to be 8" long.  The tank should have been cycled before any fish were added doing a fishless cycle using fish food or a piece of shrimp.

The ammonia detox stuff really does nothing and can give false readings on tests.  You're right that the dark gills are signs of ammonia burns.  

You won't be able to keep a goldfish in that small of a tank.  If it doesn't die from the ammonia then it will from being stunted and having organ failure.  I really don't know what to recommend now except never listen to people in fish stores.  Most of them have no idea what they are doing and only want to sell you stuff.

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Answer 4

common goldfish need at least 20 gallons each, fancies at least 10 gallons (preferably 20 for the first and 10 per fish thereafter)

get him a bigger tank and move him asap, untill them kep doing daily water changes with dechlorinated water!

good luck

Answer 5

You are on the right track here.  The gold fish  produces way to much wast for a 5 gallon tank.  You need a larger tank for 2 fancy tails you need at least a 30 gallon tank.

I think if you get the remaining fish into a larger tank he would probably be OK.