• Poor water quality: During transportation from the pet store to your home, the water quality in the transport bag might have deteriorated. Additionally, if you did not perform proper water conditioning when introducing the goldfish to your aquarium, the sudden changes in water parameters (pH, hardness, temperature) could have been stressful and caused the fish's death.
• Exposure to toxic substances: Sometimes, tap water can contain high levels of chlorine or chloramines, which could be toxic to goldfish. If you did not use a water conditioner that neutralizes these chemicals, it could have led to the fish's demise.
• Improper temperature: Goldfish thrive best within a specific temperature range. If your aquarium's temperature was too cold or too high, it could have caused stress or even a thermal shock, eventually leading to the goldfish's death.
• Stress from transportation or handling: The process of transportation itself can be stressful for goldfish, especially if it involved significant changes in environment. Additionally, if the goldfish experienced any rough handling during the acclimation process, it could have also contributed to its demise.
• Disease: Another possibility is that the goldfish might have been carrying an underlying disease or infection when you purchased it. It's important to observe the behavior of newly introduced fish during the initial days to detect any signs of illness.
To avoid such unfortunate situations, it's crucial to educate yourself about proper goldfish care, including maintaining optimal water quality, ensuring proper temperature, providing a suitable habitat, and carefully monitoring the fish's health.