What is wrong with my goldfish?

Question

I had four goldfish yesterday. One started ignoring the others and staying near the bottom. It was laying on its side, moving on its side, not eating. This morning it was dead.

I changed the water, flushed the fish and set up the fish in the tank (allowing them to stay in the bag for 20 min to adjust, as per original instructions). Now, less than 30 minutes later, another fish, who had appeared to be fine, is acting the same way: staying near the bottom and side swimming.

What is the problem? Are all my fish going to die?

Answer 1

It's not a good idea to change all of the water.  It messes with the good bacteria in the tank.  Most likely all of your fish are going to die.  I suggest letting your tank run empty for a couple weeks so it has time to "cycle."  Then get some more fish and try again!

Answer 2

Diseases

Answer 3

Firstly ill just say that goldfish are messy little buggers and because of this need big tanks...about 30 gal each. So unless you have a rather enormous tank my first guess would be ammonia poisoning from both a undersized tank and a overstocked tank. Also you don't mention if you cycled you original tank or the water you used in you change. And lastly when you changes the water did you only change a max of 25%? Because anymore then this is not recommended. Lastly why would you 'flush' a fish? In all honestly it sounds like you haven't done your homework love. For now i would leave your fish be and hope they pull through (hey they maybe perfectly healthy) and go research a little, so next time you'll be more prepared. Since you've just changed the water do not change again tonight. Also make sure you add declorinater. Ok Best of luck Angel

edit: ill also add that you should have a really good filter, one that filters more thens recommened. Just because there messy lol

Answer 4

Okay to answer your question properly I need a little bit more information.

How big is the tank and what are the parameters as in ammonia nitrite and nitrate.

How long has the tank been set up? Do you notice anything about the appearance of the fish out of the ordinary? Any white spots, loss of color, clamped fins?

I am sorry for your loss, it is always sad to have to flush a dead fish.

Please visit http://www.aquariacentral.com in the freshwater's cold water section. There you will find a lot of very knowledgeable people better able to help you heal your friends.