Starry Eyed Ryukin

Starry Eyed Ryukin

It has been nearly three months since my last post.  So much has happened since then but mainly my father’s death has stalled me from writing about goldfish.  Didn’t seem all that important anymore.  Then my oldest fish, Sun, the oranda which had several surgeries removing Wen from around his eyes, died on me.  My last post was one asking about a name for the starry eyed ryukin pictured here.  I’ve decided not to name my fish anymore.  The only surviving fish from my beginning collection is “Bari” the Lion Head.  I thought he was going to die a few weeks ago, but he picked up and is doing fantastic.

My 55 gallon fish tank which supports two filtration systems now only houses three goldfish. This starry eyed ryukin, an oranda, and Bari. The water is completely cycled and has a very thick green algae growth on the back glass of the tank. The water and fish are perfect. I do not intend on getting anymore goldfish for this tank.

This blog has and is recording my goldfish experience. Much more than simply having goldfish when you include life’s course in the writings. Who knows what all will be recorded in the years to come.

Ryukin Without a Name

Ryukin Without a Name

Haven’t a name for this fish yet. I’ve had such horrible luck with Ryukin’s over the years and am now a bit afraid to get attached to the little guy. Since I’ve got him a few weeks ago he has certainly grown. I’ve heard folks say they wish their fish would grow. Mine always grow and mighty fast at that. Finally I’ve learned how to feed them and I have a tank which is cycled. Maybe I will have better luck raising this fish. Anybody have any suggestions of what I could name this guy?

Beautiful Bari

Beautiful Bari

It is amazing how raising goldfish can affect  your life.  There is so much to learn from these aquatic creatures.  First and foremost is learning how to care for them.  However, what I have found fascinating are the people I meet either on-line or in real life when I discuss goldfish.  Either red flags quickly rise or an understanding look arise when a fellow nearly 60 years old starts talking about goldfish.  Usually men will start Heeing and Hawing as I bring up my interest in goldfish.  Then they will start discussing how many fish they can catch and clean in a days time, sort of an Alpha thing.  As my conversation deepens as I discuss matters such as Wen growth, water conditions, life spans, expense, details and upkeep, photos, and meeting wonderful folks of like interest, these Alpha men start responding and taking interest.  They relate with things they like to do and what brings comfort to them.  After discussing goldfish over the years and sharing photos with these men, they tend to understand where I’m coming from and begin to accept me for the goldfish lover I am.

Women tend to be more understanding as a white haired fellow discusses the life of a goldfish.  Well, some consider me a quack and move away quickly.

Easy Going Goldfish

I can’t believe it… My tank is cycled. Only took 3 years, but by Golly Gee it is cycled. The magical cure came from a very special source. She told me to replace one of my cartridges in my Emperor 400 Filter with a cartridge from a tank which was already cycled. So I put in this other cartridge, smaller than the one in my Emperor and let is sit deep in the water within the filter. Guess what happened? Just like that, my tank cycled. Wow… Unbelievable… All the money, time, chemicals, back breaking water changes were not in vain, for it taught me the only way I can learn which is by hard knocks.

Happy Fish Here

I believe Sun’s cap (wen) is so huge it is hard for him to swim upwards. He does swim to the top of the tank from time to time and it is quite a sight.

I’ve made a few changes to the tank by taking out the gravel and putting in some large rocks. I took out 15 gallons of water and replaced it with 15 gallons out of my wife’s tank. Her tank is completely cycled. Still my nitrites are a smidgen high.

Lucky me. I met a wonderful person in the town where I work, whom happens to be an expert at raising goldfish. She gave me some great advice and I have a lot of hope now.

Sun’s Lament

Bari and Sun

Fish, the great Ryukin, conveyed the magic to the man.

The magic of goldfish in their aquatic land.

The man could not grasp what Fish had to say,

So Fish grew weary conveying day after day.

Then Mojo, the beautiful Red Cap Oranda,  joined in the task.

Fish saw the man watch Mojo, and knew his mission was done at last.

Mojo swam alone and was sad,

for the great Ryukin had crossed the Rainbow Lilly Pad.

Unknown to the man, goldfish magic conjured as he toiled over his troubles,

and the wonderful and magical Dragon Eye came along named Bubbles.

The man watched Bubbles and Mojo swim and as they whirled and curled,

He decided these fish needed a larger world.

Mojo and Bubbles had so much room and were so excited,

and when Lil’ Fish came they were both so delighted.

The man felt the goldfish magic and wanted more and more,

So along came Barri and along came me,

As Sun continues to speak of his family.

Wabi-Sabi, the gray Oranda was such a great reflection,

he showed us beauty in imperfection.

The waters grew rough as the man floundered outside,

When Mojo past, the man’s eyes grew so wide.

The man used chemicals to ease the storm,

Only to loose Bubbles yet another Life Form.

Bari watched the man and would report to me,

for I grew blind and could no longer see.

Bari spoke of Little Joe, the new Red Cap Oranda who would quickly grow,

and remind the man of his Mojo.

The man moved me to another tank and soon I fell asleep,

I dreamed of Wabi-Sabi and began to weep.

My eyes were opened I could now see,

but Wabi was hurting and I felt no glee.

Bari hung by my side,

When Lil’ Joe crossed the Rainbow Lilly Pad we both cried.

Then imperfection struck and no beauty could be found,

Wabi-Sabi had to be put down.

A small gray Oranda and calico Ryukin are now swimming and diving,

maybe soon our world will once again be thriving.

Will the man ever truly grasp the goldfish magic and will he learn,

and will life within this world safely return?

Video of what was
(Jan 2011)

Video of Mojo and Friends (Jun 2010)

Video in Response to Zac’s Comments

Zac I’ve made this video in response to your comments. If you are willing to give criticism, advice, and support, I’d certainly appreciate it. I would love to have an outside pond however it gets below zero here during the winter and I’m not sure if I could keep them alive out there. Besides not too sure if I could afford an outside pond.

I’ve decided to record all my ups and downs with raising goldfish. If I do this over the next few decades and some of these fish actually survive, folks will be able to see these fish as they have progressed. I only learn by hard knocks. I have to keep making the same mistakes over and over again until it actually hits me I am doing something wrong. Then just like that, I got it. I’ve looked at forums but have a hard time figuring out all the threads, who is actually speaking, and what they are talking about. For the most part all questions and/or complaints about fish results in the forum person asking about your water cycle. My water cycle has never cycled, never… I’ve tried every chemical imagined and have killed the fish through the efforts. Right now I do a weekly water change of about 15 gallons of water. I change the cartridges in the overhang filter once a month and the canister I address about every month and a half. I do not do both filters at the same time. I feed my fish twice a day… just a wee bit. I’ve always used sinking pellets and am thinking of using just regular flakes for awhile.

The water from the tap comes out high in ammonia. I fill five-gallon containers with this water and treat the water using Chlor-No-More. This treated water sits in the containers until the next weeks water change. Then I refill the containers, retreat, and set aside for the next change.

I really do thank you for your comments.

Bulk Honesty

I’ve decided not to give up on this tank, but I’ve decided to tell it as it is.  First it is best not to get too attached to these fish.  I’ve lost so many.  The two strongest, Bari the Lionhead and Sun the Oranda still survive.  Sun is nearly three years old.

Over the last three years I’ve never seen this tank cycled where all the proper colors appear for testing the ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and PH. The PH and Nitrates do ok, but the ammonia and nitrites have always been at battle with each other. I have a canister and over the tank filter on this tank. I have all the recommended media, gravel, and things for bacteria to grow on. The back side of my tank has a silky green algae moss grown over it and the water is crystal clear. However the ammonia reads high as well as nitrites. These have always read high and always will. I believe it is impossible to have a perfectly cycled tank if all you are raising is goldfish.

I had one goldfish for a long time. Wabi-Sabi started off a small gray Oranda and then burst into a vibrant gold. He was a really cool fish. I felt really bad when he slowed swimming and eventfully curled into a frozen position and could no longer swim. He would eat and move around some, but layed mainly on the bottom. I thought he would eventually die, but he didn’t. He lived for several months, but this was so depressing. He was basically an invalid lying on the bottom and Sun protectively stayed right beside him and Bari would stay near Sun. All three fish stayed in one corner of this 55 gallon tank. A fish tank is to make you happy, but mine was making me so very sad. I felt so bad for Wabi. So as cruel as it may sound, I put Wabi down. I first put him to sleep using oil of clove and then I removed his head. Makes me a pretty awful fellow I suppose.

I purchased two more fish and have placed into the tank. I’ve a calico Ryukin and a gray Oranda to replace Wabi. All four fish are swimming all over the tank. There had to be a change.

Lil’ Joe Illuminated

Lil’ Joe Illuminated

Lil’ Joe isn’t so little anymore. This is a pretty big goldfish.

Sun Keeping His Eyes on Me

Sun’s Left Side

Sun’s Right Side

Since Sun had his Wen surgery he has been keeping an eye on me.  He watches every move I make when I enter the room.  You can click onto the titles under the photos to get a larger view.