Goldfish tend to lie at the bottom of a tank on their sides if they are stressed, and this normally means they are close to death. If you discover that a goldfish is lying on the bottom of the tank, it should be removed as if it is dying it can infect the water and this will kill other fish in the tank. The fish can be killed outside of the tank by adding clove oil to water; this will kill the fish without it feeling any pain.
The most common reason that goldfish retreat to the bottom of the tank is the swim bladder. This is an organ that the fish uses to balance and to swim around the tank. If the swim bladder contracts disease then the fish loses its balance and falls to the bottom of the tank. Other reasons for fish going to the bottom of the tank are constipation, caused by overeating, and fatty liver disease.
There are a number of ways to keep goldfish in the best possible condition and the most important of these is to ensure that the tank is kept clean, and that the water is changed on a regular basis, at least weekly. This will enable the levels of ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites to be at the optimum level. Food levels should be monitored and it is important not to over feed goldfish, a small pinch of fish food once a day is normally enough to satisfy two goldfish.
Some goldfish can bully other goldfish, which will cause them to withdraw and retreat to the bottom of the tank. The bullying goldfish should be removed from the main body of the tank and placed in a separate floating device within the tank.
The most common reason that goldfish retreat to the bottom of the tank is the swim bladder. This is an organ that the fish uses to balance and to swim around the tank. If the swim bladder contracts disease then the fish loses its balance and falls to the bottom of the tank. Other reasons for fish going to the bottom of the tank are constipation, caused by overeating, and fatty liver disease.
There are a number of ways to keep goldfish in the best possible condition and the most important of these is to ensure that the tank is kept clean, and that the water is changed on a regular basis, at least weekly. This will enable the levels of ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites to be at the optimum level. Food levels should be monitored and it is important not to over feed goldfish, a small pinch of fish food once a day is normally enough to satisfy two goldfish.
Some goldfish can bully other goldfish, which will cause them to withdraw and retreat to the bottom of the tank. The bullying goldfish should be removed from the main body of the tank and placed in a separate floating device within the tank.