Class A Symptoms:
Goldfish floating aimlessly; Goldfish has little or no response; Goldfish is
upside down motionless; Goldfish is unconscious; Goldfish dead or dying
Goldfish
Distress symptoms
You'll need one syringe, bicarbonate of soda, hydrogen peroxide, plastic
containers, aquarium safe salt and water treatment
Step 1 Using your fresh water source; fill an appropriately sized container (free of contaminants) with one gallon of the coldest tap water
in one container. Work water over by pouring it repeatedly (let it hit hard) to remove
gases found in tap. These gases can suffocate fish. Test the fresh water by
filling a clear glass; let it sit for five minutes. Do you see tiny bubbles
forming on the walls of the glass? If so, work the water over until no bubbles
appear.
If you have on hand, add water treatment that removes chlorine and chloramines to fresh water; following instructions add
proportionately to fresh water container. Premix ingredients in fresh water
container
Step 2 Scoop fish up along with tank or pond water using another plastic
container.
Step 3 One cup at a time, perform small and frequent water changes
in the container the fish is in, using the prepared fresh water as your fresh water source; until you believe
most of the main tank or pond water has been replaced; take 1 hour to make the
exchange.
Place the open container with the fish in the refrigerator for two to three
hours.
Oxygen Deprivation, Anoxia
If you don't have soda or hydrogen peroxide; use this time to obtain ingredients.
While the fish is chilling, improve main tank or pond by following instructions found here; Boosting overall water quality
Step 4 Remove fish from the fridge.
Step 5 Oxygen is absorbed from water as it
passes through the gills, but the water must enter the mouth first, so the mouth
must be open in order for the fish to breathe. If the gills are not moving; fill
a syringe with the container water; force fish's mouth open with tip and gently
force water into the mouth and through the gills. This action should cause the
gills to open; repeat periodically; every 10 minutes or so.
If your fish did not respond to the bath, it may respond to a dose of caffeine; pour slowly, and all around the container; 1 cup of brewed, room temperature, caffeinated coffee or tea; blend gently with your hand. If the fish doesn't respond; add 1 more cup; repeat the treatment.
If the fish responds to treatment, and you've followed instructions for improving condition of main tank or pond, return fish to main tank, but only after acclimating. One cup at a time, perform small and frequent water changes using main tank or pond water as your fresh water source; until you believe most of the container water has been replaced; take 1 hour to make the exchange.
Repeat treatment as often as necessary.
To see if you are following the proper procedures for goldfish care study the following information:
10 STEPS To Goldfish Care
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