Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,

I have 9 Koi Fish and 2 Shubunkin Gold Fish in my Aquaponics Set up. I see my Koi Fish going up and down and everywhere but both my shubunkin Gold likes to stay at the top. Everytime I see them swimming at the top of the tank. I also tested the water with API Kit.

Ammonia - 0 PPM
Nitrite - 0 PPM
Nitrates - 20 PPM

I checked oxygen pumps as well and they are working just fine. Moreover I have 3 water falls so I guess they also aerates water because when water falls then it creates too many bubbles and agitates surface. It's winter here but not too cold. Temperature is around 10 C. So cold water too holds more oxygen. Plants are looking healthy. Spinach is growing like crazy and tomato plants are full of tomatoes. Everything looks in place but just Shubunkins are swimming at the top and they aren't eating much as well. My Koi like to eat all the time but shubunkins like to eat not that much. I tried to check if they have any illness but didn't find one. They are looking active and swim really fast if someone try to go very near to the tank.

Are they ill or may be they just like to swim at the top?

abhinav1986,

Pretty fish! In Chinese their name means "poor man's koi!"


The datasheet on Shubunkin at Animal World:

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/goldfish/ShubunkinGoldfish.php

specifically mentions that they are good eaters and swim in all water regions.

Scientific Name: Carassius auratus auratus
Social Grouping: Groups - Can be kept singly or in groups.
Size of fish - inches: 18.0 inches (45.72 cm) - About five inches is a likely adult size for the Shubunkin Goldfish. But they can reach up to 18 inches in exceedingly well-maintained large tanks and ponds.
Lifespan: 15 years - The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, though living 20 years or more is not uncommon in well-maintained goldfish aquariums and ponds.
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Diet Type: Omnivore
Flake Food: Yes
Tablet / Pellet: Yes
Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
Meaty Food: Some of Diet
Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
Water Changes: Weekly - Goldfish produce more waste than most other freshwater fish and benefit greatly from more frequent water changes.
Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
Temperature: 65.0 to 72.0° F (18.3 to 22.2° C)
Breeding Temperature: - In the wild, goldfish spawn in the spring when water temperatures reach about 68° F (20° C).
Range ph: 6.0-8.0
Hardness Range: 5 - 19 dGH
Brackish: Sometimes - Goldfish are freshwater fish, but they have some tolerance for slightly brackish water. Any salinity for must be kept low, below 10%, a specific gravity of less than 1.002.
Water Movement: Moderate
Water Region: All - These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.
Ease of Breeding: Moderate

Maybe it is too cold for them?


Other fish-care websites confirm they are good eaters...

The Goldfish Tank
http://thegoldfishtank.com/goldfish-types/shubunkin/goldfish-types-shubunkin-goldfish/
Shubunkins, like all goldfish, are ravenous eaters and produce a significant amount of waste. Adequate filtration is therefore extremely important for the shubunkin aquarium or pond. Shubunkins should not be kept with slower-swimming tank mates, as they will out-compete them for food.

Perhaps others with goldfish in cooler water see similar behavior?

--
Sam

nosliwmas

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I too think that it's a bit cold for them because they don't look dull to me, they aren't eating too much though. May be their metabolism is slow these days.

Also my aquaponics tank is nt very large. I am planning to make a pond for them but that will take a few months.

My Koi were very scared when i bought them, I waited for almost a month but they didn't want to come up until it's night. So I had to buy 2 shubunkin Golds as they come to top easily and that motivates Koi to roam fearlessly. Now all my Koi roam fearless. So......

All is well, I guess.

abhinav1986,

Yeah, surely it is the temp if nothing else seems out of whack... As long as it is not a long
term thing, I'd bet they survive to see the warmer water.


I think that might make a nice bumper sticker!

--
Sam