New Goldfish Die Quickly: Diagnosing Shock

Immediate Steps

Need more info: pond size, filtration, water additives, acclimation method, symptoms before death.

Likely Causes

1. Temperature/pH shock: Floated bag? Drip acclimated? Sudden change kills in hours.
2. Chlorine/chloramine: Tap water not dechlorinated.
3. Ammonia spike: New pond, no biofilter.
4. Disease: Sick fish from source.

Test Now

pH, hardness, ammonia, nitrite, oxygen, chlorine. Compare to source water.

Reference

"Why did my fish die?" health4.htm#why.