If you have water conditioner to put into the tank you should be able to put your fish back in it after about 5 minutes. If you do not have water conditioner then you can let the water sit for about 8-12 hours and it should be ok.
Read MoreCleaning the filter and changing the water may have upset the nitrogen cycle in your tank. This is due to removal of beneficial bacteria which convert ammonia (from waste, food, urine, etc.) to nitrites. Water and filter changes can be stressful as well. If you have the means, test your tank water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels. Adjust accordingly using conditioned water or additives that will bind harmful compounds. You can also submit a water sample for testing. Moat pet stores or professional aquarists will do this for free or for a nominal fee.
Read MoreGoldfish sit at the bottom of a tank when they are not well, often because toxins have built up in the water. Goldfish are usually active, and lethargy is a sign of illness. Maintaining good water quality is essential for proper aquarium care. In the enclosed, finite space of a fish tank, toxic elements, such as ammonia and nitrates, can build up in the water causing disease and killing fish. The only way to detect and control toxins is to perform regular chemical tests on the water and to perform gradual water changes to remove impurities and maintain the proper water parameters.
Read MoreLoss of color in fish can be a sign of severe stress. Stress can be brought on by disease, poor water quality, over cleaning the tank (too frequent or too large water changes), over aggressive fish, poor or inadequate nutrition, being moved, over crowding, and a host of other situations. I recommend that you start by reviewing your water quality and tank environment. How are your water parameters? Review how often you do water changes and how much water you change at one time. How much are feeding? Could you be over or under feeding your fish? Is there a bully fish in your tank - a fish that chases or aggresses against other fish. Are the number of fish in your tank suitable for the size of the tank? Look for signs of disease. Fish can suffer from bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal, and parasitic infections, but not all species of fish suffer from the same illnesses. You can find charts of fish diseases in books or on the web to help you narrow down what illnesses might be affecting your fish. Treatment of disease will be based on determining what type of organism is making your fish ill. To prevent illness in fish, maintain high water quality, avoid over crowding your tank, and quarantine new fish before introducting them to your tank.
Read MoreSponsored
Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!