Why do my goldfish appear to be shivering?

Question

A few days ago, two of my goldfish were moved to a bigger tank. Now they appear to be shivering for a few seconds every couple of minutes and swimming very close to the bottom and nestling into the sand. Why are they doing this and are they sick?

Answer 1

ok try this, get a thermometer and test the temp of the water, it needs to be between 70* and 79* as max temp (goldfish are cold fish so they live in colder waters) i want you to raise the temp up to 79* and then try to feed them mashed frozen-defrosted and microwaved- peas that are at room temp

do this for about a week and they should be fine

Answer 2

they just need a warm coat.  Maybe a scarf

Answer 3

when you swtiched tanks, did you use a lot of thier old water? and added some water that has been sticking out for a while??

or did you just use new water and put them in it right away? if so, thats why. they are in shock, and most likely going to die. sorry. maybe you can go to your closest pet shop and ask them what to do with goldfish in shock?

Answer 4

Did you bother to check the temps of the tanks? Goldfish prefer water around 72 degrees. You need to have a thermometer in the tank to make sure the temp is fine. Also, did you cycle the water before adding the fish? Fish get stressed and can't just be moved when the owner feels like it. Also, goldfish will move gravel and root around in it.  

Answer 5

maybe there just not used to the bigger tank, and the temperature is harder to controll in a larger tank, so MAYBE try changing the temperature just a few degrees warmer

Answer 6

I hear that fish are actually better in small spaces then in big places.

It might be because you have to keep the water at a semi warm temperature  and with a big tank water gets cold faster. Unless you have that heater.

Just make sure there water isn't freezing cold.

I don't know about the swimming to the bottom but my fish like chillin at the bottom from time to time.

Answer 7

Because you probably didn't put the same water (which is necessary, because fish need the bacteria in the water to survive) in the new tank.

Also, if there were any remnants of cleaning agents on the insides of the new tank, those fish are dying a slow and agonizing poisoning death by torture.

Answer 8

I agree with the answers below if you have not placed some of the old water in the tank there will be no good bacteria.

Answer 9

they are shivering because the water is too cold and they are having seizures!!

Answer 10

Check the water temperature and chemical balances.  

When I had fish they would freak when I changed the water, the water temperature was too high or too low or if the chemical levels in the water was low or high.

If all else fails call the pet store from where you bought the goldfish.

Fish, especially goldfish it seems, are sensitive to even minor changes.

Answer 11

maybe you should lower the tank temperature. ever had the thought that they might be cold? you shiver when you're cold