Gold Fish keep dying why?

[pebbles]

This might seem stupid but my son's goldfish keep dying and I don't know why.

We had one (not any special kind just a cheap one) set up a little tank with tap water, gravel, small filter etc and it was dead after about 3 weeks. So changed all the stuff in the fish tank and brought another one (from a different pet shop). This time I added "safe water" and that one lasted 1 week.

My son is asking for another but I'm not going to get anymore until I know what I'm doing wrong.

[strictly_scales]

Is there a filter? Do you let the tank cycle for at least 10 days before adding the fish? How big is the tank? Do you get the water tested before adding the fish? Where do you buy the fish from?

[pebbles]

Yes there is a small filter, no I hadn't let the water cycle (stupid of me but didn't think you had to with gold fish), the tank is just one of those little plastic ones you get from Wilkinsons and no didn't get the water tested. Oh and We got the first one from a big pet shop/garden centre by me and the second one with got from a smaller pet shop in my local town

[strictly_scales]

Theres the problem, right there- any tank, for any fish needs to cycle. I vote, half empty the tank, re-fill it, and leave it with the filter running for 10 days. For a tank that size, I wouldn't recommend a common Goldfish- they are fully capable of reaching 14 inches, and will out-grow the tank in a matter of weeks. Try a small shoal of White Cloud Mountain Minnows instead- you could have 4 or 5... Introduce them 2 at a time, leaving the tank for a week inbetween- you shouldn't have any trouble then.

[Tomcat]

Are you declorinating the water?

[TUBBS]

Tomcat - thats what the safe water product they mentioned does...

when you cycle it for 10 days you have to add an ammonia source such as adding a small pinch of fish food each day, else leaving it will do nothing

minnows and danios would be much better choices, or personally if in a warm room then a siamese fighter

[Trillian]

Prob a combination of the tank being too small which is stressful for the fish plus the uncycled water poisoning the fish. Have a read of the Fishless Cycle Guide at the top of the forum which explains the best way to set up a tank.

Btw, if only LFS supported the method more (as opposed to just selling you more fish as if it's your fault that you weren't advised properly ), there'd be a lot less upset children out there wondering why their fish just died...

[daftlassieEmma]

it makes me laugh that so many people think goldfish are somehow exempt from the normal rules of fishkeeping...

hope your next goldy fairs better

[Trillian]

Originally Posted by daftlassieEmma

it makes me laugh that so many people think goldfish are somehow exempt from the normal rules of fishkeeping...

I know, poor goldies.

I'm sure the OP was only going by what the LFS told her though...

[strictly_scales]

Here's betting the LFS was Pets at Home...