Yesterday I removed about a third of the water from my 10 gallon tank. The water has become cloudy looking. I know I need a bigger tank but haven't gotten one yet for my two Oranda goldfish. They are about 1 1/2 inches in long and I have had them for about a month now. Everything was fine until yesterday when I tested the water it was showing a dangerous Nitrite level. So I changed out the water and put the water conditioner in it. Today they seemed really stressed out and they were at the top gasping for air. I checked the water again and it still had the same high nitrite reading. Everything I have found on the net from ammonia treatments to salt to water conditioning I have tried now one of the fish the smaller of the two ended up on his side at the top of the tank. I paniced and threw them both into my daughters 10 gallon tank with her comet goldfish. they seem to be doing alot better even though the one isn't eating yet but he has pasted some rather large poop. One site said to give them some "Quick Cure". I'm afraid to put them back into their own tank since my husband has taken the tank and completely cleaned it. It's set back up again and the water tests out fine but it has fresh water no old stuff. Please help I don't want these littles guys to die.
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Stressed Sick Fishie
Replies (3)
Well, as long as the health of all your goldfish stays good when you are re-cycling your tank, things should be good. As for re-cycling their old tank- you could add things like Cycle or Biospira (if you can find it at your local pet store) to help boost the process. Or if you have some decorations in the tank all the fish are currently in, that would help too. I would recommend keeping a close watch on all the fish, and I would say change the water more often (but less than you normally do) since there are 3 fish in the tank. As long as they are pooping, that's a good sign. Personally, I avoid chemicals as much as possible.
If you can no longer keep the 2 fish in with the comet for health reasons, I am not sure what you could do, but I will promote your post to see if other people with goldfish experience can help you out. I just wanted to give you an answer to help you out with your situation as it is now.
Good luck, and keep us posted. 
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Phishie
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Thank you so much for answering my post. The comet and the other Oranda are doing just fine infact their pretty much inseparable. The one that was sick is acting fine today just alittle slower then usual. I gave them all peas today and they ate just fine. I also changed about 15% of their water because it was starting to look alittle cloudy. I still haven't put them back in their own tank. I'm kind of afraid to until I hear from someone that tells me it's OK. I've learned alot in the past 24 hours regarding goldfish. Boy was I an idiot! I'm still not sure what I'm doing but I am determined to give it my all. They are such adorable little guys and deserve the very best.
I wouldn't put them in their original tank until the ammonia level in the tank reaches 0. A water testing kit will tell you when that is (usually about 6-8 weeks, maybe sooner, maybe later).
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Phishie
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
