Subunkin: Sick or just plain lazy? O_o

Saikyo · 08-20-2007, 10:53 AM

I have a subunkin goldfish in a small 1g acrylic aquarium w/ a build-in ug filter. Now this my just be their nature, but he just tends to sit at the bottom of the tank and goes glub-glub-glub. Whenever I sprinkle some food in there, he'll swim right up, eat the food, swim around to make sure he got everything, and sink back down. Is there something wrong here or do I just have an apathetic goldfish?

Saikyo · 08-20-2007, 01:22 PM

Anyone have any insight?

Tbx · 08-20-2007, 01:26 PM

The only problem is the tank is too small gold fish are relay dirty so you at least need a 10 gallon.

Saikyo · 08-20-2007, 09:23 PM

10g for a goldfish? That seems a bit too big. I mean, I have to change the water about once a week, but still, I think he's ok with the size.

Tbx · 08-20-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saikyo

10g for a goldfish? That seems a bit too big. I mean, I have to change the water about once a week, but still, I think he's ok with the size.

Keep up the water changes as long as he seems like he is eating fine then there might not be a problem.

Saikyo · 08-20-2007, 09:51 PM

Ya. In fact, I have him trained that when I tap the side of the tank, he knows its feeding time. Its kinda neat actually.

Tbx · 08-20-2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saikyo

Ya. In fact, I have him trained that when I tap the side of the tank, he knows its feeding time. Its kinda neat actually.

can you post a pic?

Andyoybna · 08-21-2007, 03:42 PM

You have your fish in way too small of a tank, which is why it isn't active, you need AT LEAST 10 gallons to start with, and once it hits around 4" you want around 50 gallons, and then maybe next spring you can put it in a pond and watch it grow to over a foot.

You can't trust LFS as far as you can throw them... and try picking up one of those buildings.... Yes, a goldfish will SURVIVE in a bowl, or tiny tank for a very short amount of time, maybe a year or so? You may think this is a long time, but goldfish can live for 20 years, and the oldest living goldfish on record, I believe was 43, and actually out lived its owner.

So comparatively... that would be like your parents sticking you in a closet from birth, you turning 10, dieing, and your parents shrugging their shoulders and saying that you had enough room to turn around.

I would also like you to think about what is happening to this goldfish while you keep it in such a tiny tank. The fish won't grow very much, at least on the outside, however as it gets older, the internal organs keep on growing while the outside stays the same, deforming the fish, and eventually killing it, no matter how many water changes you do in that one gallon tank, that will still happen.

ian2mic · 08-21-2007, 06:37 PM

Andyoybna, I understand you're being harsh to make a point but comeing from someone who also had to learn things the hard way, the way you worded that doesn't feel helpful, it's just kinda demeaning.

I do agree with you however. Saikyo, 1G is definatlly too small, but you may want to find out for yourself instead of being told by us. Do a google search on "Shubunkin caresheets" and you'll see what experts recommend. Pet stores are out to make money so you can't trust anything they say. Another way to find out if your fish is happy is to get a test kit and test the water he is living in. You'll most likely see that even with your weekly water changes the ammonia will be extremely high, which is lethal. If not lethal at least very uncomfortable which is why he's not active.

10G isn't too big for him, especcially if you fill it with some plants and decorations, he'll look beautiful. I have a comet in a 35G and it's gorgeous watching him swimming all around. Good luck and please don't be turned off by anyone, we are all extremely passionate about our fish and it's sad to hear of anyone not taking care of them as best as possible.

Andyoybna · 08-21-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian2mic

Andyoybna, I understand you're being harsh to make a point but comeing from someone who also had to learn things the hard way, the way you worded that doesn't feel helpful, it's just kinda demeaning.

I don't mean to offend anyone, I'm just trying to open up a few eyes, in the pet store industry, for some reason... goldfish get labeled as being beginner fish, that need no special care, no filter, nothing but enough water to float in. In fact, they are probably just the opposite, it takes a lot of time, energy, and money to properly raise, and bring out the true potential in a goldfish, of any type, especially the fancy types. In china, a show goldfish will sell for hundreds of dollars, and they take huge pride in them, just like their arowana, they get passed down to family members, and are a big part of their culture.

Basically, my point is... All of us have made mistakes, even the same mistakes, but that doesn't mean others can't learn from them as well. Fish stores are a buisiness, and if they actually told everyone, everything they needed to do, to have fish be healthy, and live as long as possible, then they would sell a whole lot less fish. I honestly believe that the mentality behind their coorparate offices is that the fish will die before they get too big, otherwise, why would they sell fish like pacus?

Check out this link from Drsfosterandsmith, they reccomend a POND, of at least 180 gallons for a shubunkin
http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_...cfm?pCatId=902