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Milli Milli
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Posted on: 2/11/2012 14:02
Goldy the Goldfish going to the Vet #1
I posted some time ago about my fancy goldfish Goldy. She has been sank at the bottom of her tank for over a month. I initially asked for advice here, then rang a fish specialist in Stafford and he gave me lots of good advice and things to try etc. Nothing has worked however - so hubby and I will be going to see him on Tuesday. Vet has already said he probably won't advise any treatment, so in all likelihood he will euthanise her. I know there is a section on here on how to euthanise a fish at home but I don't think I could do it.

All planned out - long drive from Daventry to Stafford - so thought I would ask if my parents would babysit our 16m old son. This was agreed - I knew they would have a little laugh amongst themselves because I am bothering about a fish.

Phonecall today from my dad - we are due to go see parents tommorrow and then follow on to a bonfire get together with my two sisters and respective families. Dad says I should bring the fish over - he has an old tank of ours which he will fill and I can then just leave Goldy with them. Obviously if I can't see her just lying there, trying to move and I think suffering, then all will be OK. I can then save the long journey and cost of the vet, (who dad says is trying to rip me off) and they won't have to come to ours to babysit.

I got off the phone as quickly as I could giving non-committal answers. I am so upset. I think my fish is suffering, I have tried so many things, done constant water checks and changes and they just want me to leave her with them so she can dye a lingerig death.

So what would you do in my position? Am I being stupid in wanting to take her to the vet?

Incidently the vet is Chris Walster from the Island Vet Associates in Stafford. He was one of the few fish vets I could find.


Milli Milli
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Posted on: 15/10/2012 9:48
Re: Goldy still poorly! #2
Thank-you Fishlady - that does help explain the difference in the readings.

Nitrate in tap water: measures 0-5ppm - so quite low. Another test on the tank water this moring - still high for nitrates- 40-80 ppm. Have done another 25% water change and gravel vac. Added SeaChem Prime. Added small ammount of food.

When should I test the water again?


Milli Milli
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Posted on: 14/10/2012 9:55
Re: Goldy still poorly! #3
Update: Water tested for ammonia: .25, nitrite: 0, nitrate was sky high at 80! Why won't the tank cycle? There was lots of uneaten food as neither Goldy or Red have been eating well. Would the food waste put the nitrates up?

What am I doing wrong - these fish are suffering and I can't seem to do anything about it. Please help!!!

Off to Garden Centre to get lots of plants as the ones in the tank have had it now.


Milli Milli
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Posted on: 12/10/2012 6:22
Re: Goldy still poorly! #4
Already have the SeaChem Ammonia alert and it is saying my ammonia levels are fine! Manual testing displays ammonia as present between 0.25 ad 0.5! Is the SeaChem thing faulty - I have given it a good scrub when it was covered with algae - have I broken it?

Not checked water yet - no-one else is up - even the baby is having a lie in!

Am going to do them peas and sweetcorn for breakfast to try and tempt their appetites. Think they are fed up as well of me messing with the tank every day.


Milli Milli
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Posted on: 11/10/2012 13:00
Goldy still poorly! #5
She has been mostly on her side on the tank floor for a week now. I have rang up a fish specialist in Stafford and he has given me some things to try.

I can't seem to get a good water quality - have been manually testing for ammonia each day using the API Ammonia kit. Keep getting a result of between 0.25 and 0.5. Would like to know if my using the SeaChem Prime as a water conditioner would give a false reading for the ammonia?

Specialist advised:
A 25% water change each day the ammonia is up;
Adding some aquarium salt;
Adding a small heater to put the temperature up to over 20 degrees (but not above 25);
Food with extra Vit C - I have put in a slice of orange for her.

He said if she was going to respond she would do so in about a week. I am to ring him back with her progress. After which the next stage will be to take her to see him and see what in house tests they can do for her.

Does all this sound a good idea? Sorry all the stupid questions. What I really want is for someone to come round, look at how she is and tell me if I am doing everything correctly.

Should I try swimming her back and forth or will this just stress her more? Thought this would get more oxygen through her gills?


Milli Milli
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Posted on: 4/10/2012 12:49
Re: Goldy not well #6
Goldy still not good. Can I do anything to make her better? Should I take Goldy and Red and the two apple snails out of the tank so I can do a really good gravel vac and clean the glass and ornaments etc? Wish I knew what I was doing wrong with this. I don't suppose I could take her to a vet? Are there any fish vets in Northamptonshire?

Please advise - she keeps looking at me wanting me to make it better, and Red keeps hovering around her all anxious and worried. I don't know what to do .


Milli Milli
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Posted on: 3/10/2012 12:58
Re: Goldy not well #7
No change with Goldy - hoping she isn't on her way out . Bought new nitrate testing kit today with the bottles and test tube - nitrate showing between 0 - 5 ppm. Ammonia comes up 0 again. Can't get a good look but Red seems to have a sore bit on his fin now. Feel really stressed - can't get to do any thing as my son keeps crying. Try and report back later.


Milli Milli
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Posted on: 2/10/2012 17:32
Re: Goldy not well #8
Changed water and gravel vac again - gravel very dirty ! One toddler stood and moaned the entire time despite being bought off with cheese on toast and a smoothie.

Fingers crossed Goldy starts to look a bit better soon. Can't understand why I am having so many problems with the water and with her - I swear when she was in the tiny tank she was never this bad! Feel awful that I can't seem to get this right and have happy and well fish.


Milli Milli
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Posted on: 2/10/2012 14:45
Re: Goldy not well #9
I did know I had left them too long previously Fishlady . We had house guests and my whole routine got turned upside down. Will water change when son wakes up (the tank is in his room). The gravel does seem to be ever so dirty every time I vac it. Will let you know how she is. Thank-you for your swift replies.


Milli Milli
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Not too shy to talk
  • Posted on: 2/10/2012 14:18
Re: Goldy not well #10
Didn't test the water prior to changing. Tap water nitrate levels are 0. Previous water change and gravel vac was 10 days previously. She does have red streaks in her tail .



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