I have a little goldfish, about 2 inches long. I have had it for more than a month and it is still about the same size, it just changes its color. I change water once a month, feed him 2-3 times a day, the food is enough to finish in 2 minutes, cleaned the filter every 2 weeks, and use anti-chlorine and ammonia water conditioner. I don't see any sign of sickness, except for it likes to swim on the surface. I heard that it's a sign that the water has high ammonia content, but I already put anti ammonia solution. Is there anything else that I am missing? How often is the ideal water change and filter cleaning? How many times should I feed him in a day? Please advise.I don't think my goldfish is growing at all. Help!?You'll want to start doing weekly water changes of 25%. Use a gravel vacuum to do that as well.
For the filter pad, most you can just rinse it off in the bucket of used tank water from your water changes(don't rinse under the tap, the chlorine/chloramine in the tap water will kill off any beneficial bacteria that's grown on it), once a month is usually sufficient.
You only need to replace out the filter pad when it's %26quot;used up%26quot;, you'll notice the water doesn't come out of the filter output the way it should. Should only need to be changed at about 3 months as a minimum.
Get yourself a test kit(preferably the liquid dropper kind, not the dipstick) that tests ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. Ammonia and nitrites should be 0 ppm nitrates you want to keep under 20 ppm ideally. If your tank is new(set up within the last 3 months), it's going to be going through what's called the cycle or the nitrogen cycle, and that's a whole other question/answer. But here's a quick link to explain more of what it is:
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biolog
As for the ammonia remover...I usually don't recommend most of those products, only because when people are using them, they're not familiar with the whole cycle process. There's times when it's ok to use it and others not. ie: Setting up a new tank, you don't want to remove ammonia from the tank, you want it there for the tank to cycle properly. And, a lot of those products don't actually remove ammonia, they just detoxify it to a non-toxic form-ammonium. Depending on which product you're using, and the situation, it can actually just cause more problems down the road. IMO, if you're not sure really what you're doing, then it's best to stay away from those products or learn if/when you should be using them.
For feeding, I would go with once a day, what the fish will eat in about 3-5 minutes. Net out any uneaten food-which usually isn't an issue with goldfish. It's fine to skip a day or two during the week as well. Also be sure you're feeding a variety of foods as well, not just pellet/flakes.
What type of goldie is it? The fancier varieties will average out to about 8-10 inches for most, and commons and comets 10-12+ inches. May need to think about a tank upgrade in the future. Your 20 gallon is fine for now since it's by itself, but keep an eye out for at least a 30 gallon as a minimum if it's a fancy variety and you don't plan on adding more, at least a 40 if you want another one. I would go with a 55 gallon if it's a common or comet variety.
Good luck!I don't think my goldfish is growing at all. Help!?maybe you have one of those goldfish that don't grow and only change color? I have one that never grewI don't think my goldfish is growing at all. Help!?What size tank is he in? A Fancy Goldfish should be in at least a 20 gallon tank, and a Common Goldfish should be in at least a 55 gallon tank.I don't think my goldfish is growing at all. Help!?I am responding to the question and to others. Goldfish can grow very large and need at least a 30 gallon tank. In a smaller aquarium it will stunt their growth and their organs will continue to grow this will crush their organs and kill them slowly. Get at least a 30 gallon. Take a look at petfish.net they will help you take care of your fish. If you do not want a tank that large get a betta instead provide at least a 1 gallon tank feed a few pellets a day and change all the water once a week not partially as there is no filter and it just dilutes the ammonia which burns your fish change it all once a week and an ammonia binder would be good.
