Barracuda-m Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 hi everyone I noticed on a local message board that someone was giving away large goldfish. I didn't know how large, or how many, so I called to come see them. What I saw almost made my blood run cold. She had a mid sized tank (40 gal or so) in her living room, and the water was a thick, dark brown. You couldn't see anything inside unless it came to the front glass. There were 2 ratty Walmart Whisper filters stuck to the back, with absolutely filthy media bags inside. She also had airstones with miles of tubing running through the tank. And now for the fish. There were 7 HUGE goldfish in there. I'm talking the size of nerf footballs (6 inches or so without their tails) They have lived there since April, when they were moved from a pond, and they also had tankmates! A Pleco, which was no less than 16 inches long, and from her estimation, 75 convicts!!! I saw a lot, but not all of them came to the front, so I have no idea how many exactly, I'm sure it was way too many for a 40 gal. She told me the nasty water was crystal clear 3 days before that, when she cleaned the tank. I decided to take some fish off her hands (after a friend checked them for any horrible diseases). The lady took a pot from her cupboard, and started scooping filthy water from the tank, into a bucket I brought for that purpose. Then she caught 4 of the fish in a tiny net, and dumped them in my bucket. I could only take 4 because the bucket would only hold that many. She then refilled the tank with untreated tap water (using her kettle) all the while explaining that she'd been fishkeeping for 30 years. The remaining goldfish looked pretty sore from the crappy water conditions, so she went to her cupboard again, took out a big container of table salt, and poured it RIGHT ON THE FISH!!!! They freaked out, obviously, and I said"well, that sure perked them up". She said it's the best thing for them. She's been doing this for years. Talk about tough fish! My friend wanted a convict, but decided against it when she saw the travesty that was the home tank. The crazy lady thinks I'm coming back for the other 3 nerf goldfish today, but no way. I took the fish home, my mind reeling over the crazy fish lady, and put them in my kiddie pool in my yard (4'x7'x9"). The freedom and clean water they were treated with must have been like being freed from concentration camp. They seemed quite happy, exploring the pool. It started getting chilly out a few hours later, so I put 2 in a 40 gallon downstairs, and the other 2 in a rubbermaid container until I set up another tank for them. (I have 3 empties, one will be adequate for them for a short time). Looks like I'll be getting a new tank soon! All now have clean water, much more room to swim around, over-filtration, and someone who cares about them. I'll post pictures if they survive the weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigA Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 That is crazy!!!!! I can't believe the fish were surviving. Good on you for rescuing some of them from that deathtrap!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 Poor fish Atleast she was getting rid of them. Hopefully she gets out of the fish game forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 It started getting chilly out a few hours later, so I put 2 in a 40 gallon downstairs, and the other 2 in a rubbermaid container until I set up another tank for them. (I have 3 empties, one will be adequate for them for a short time). Looks like I'll be getting a new tank soon! Ignore the "chilly" temperatures for these fish. They will survive cold water unless it actually freezes solid, as some people overwinter their fish here in Alberta. I'm sure they'd enjoy it much more than the warm water the tank probably had for the last few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shai Posted August 10, 2007 Report Share Posted August 10, 2007 That's terrible! Would it be kosher to post details in the Livestock forum (with appropriate warnings about the condition the fish are in) so that maybe some of those convicts can get rescued too? Maybe there are people who have the ability to try to nurse them back to health. : ( What a terrible waste, if the rest she still has end up dying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Are they all in Ft Mac. I would help out if they are closer. Could take a bunch till we found homes for them. have 3 empty tanks right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapeape Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 id be interested in the goldfish for my 120g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slough Shark Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 That's sick! I'm glad there are good fishkeepers willing to nurse these poor fish back to health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FLIP Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 The salt didn't hurt them? WTF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qattarra Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 If you can get the goldfish down here to Edmonton , my friends have huge pond (40' x 30', 15' deep) . a goldfish heaven. They overwinter very well. These critters are fat with bugs they eat all day every day. Plus they get fed fish foods. As for the convicts, about the only thing they can't handle is the cold. They will suffer for a very long time in really bad water , unfortunately. I wish they never had to suffer so. Kudos on you for your rescue. :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toirtis Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 Overwintering works well, but your pond needs to be deep enough...in Calgary, that translates as 40"+, on Edmonton's north end, ii is more like 54"+....I cannot imagine what Fort Mac would need...probably at least 72". You really should go get the other fish...it sounds like you may be their only hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barracuda-m Posted August 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 I'm still considering getting the really sick ones. I'm having a garage sale tomorrow, and don't have time to get another big tank. I'm gonna move some fish around (I have a lot of tanks) and their permanent winter home will be my 230 gallon (thanks again, neely!) I've already notified my husband that he's digging the hole for the pond I'm making for them in my backyard. (heheheheh) dammit, now I've lost my big tootsie roll! (I was snacking on one when I started reading the replies, I truly have no idea where it went........) If I can get her to wait for a week or so, I'll go get the others then.........I think...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbemis Posted August 11, 2007 Report Share Posted August 11, 2007 I could help out if they could make it to Edmonton. I could house them in a rubber maid container until I go to Saskatoon, My dad and friend have large ponds that would enjoy new inhabitants. Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super fish Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 Crappy fishkeepers.... I hate those people! and ya try and get the rest before they die Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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