Class A Symptoms:
Goldfish has little or no response, Goldfish motionless and not moving mouth or gills, Goldfish dead or dying
There could be many reasons for the death of a goldfish. Toxins in the water, oxygen deprivation, overheating, infection or poisoning, but whatever the reason, it is possible your fish can be revived using the proper technique. Many a goldfish has been brought back from the dead, but there’s a reason for this; goldfish can live up to 36 hours without oxygen. Just because your fish isn’t moving its mouth and gills, doesn’t mean there’s no heart beat
Class A symptoms
Step 1 Using your freshwater source, fill one gallon size container of water at a low stream
If you have on hand, add water treatment that removes chlorine and chloramines to freshwater; following instructions add proportionately to container
If you have on hand, dissolve 1 teaspoon of aquarium safe salt or table salt (for 911 only) in 1/2 cup of warm water. Mix in container water
If you have on hand, add 1 teaspoon of Oop Boost
Scoop the fish up in another container along with tank water
Step 2 One cup at a time, exchange the water in the container the fish is in, using the prepared container water as your freshwater source until you believe most of the water the fish is in has been replaced
Step 3 If the gills are not moving; fill a syringe (no needle) with the container water; force fish’s mouth open with tip; force stream of water into the mouth gently pointed at the gills, one gill at a time. The action should open the gills slightly. If no syringe is available, open the mouth by pinching, and swim the fish with your hands moving forward
Goldfish do not have lungs, but they do need oxygen in their blood stream. Pulling water into their mouths, they push it out through their gills. As water passes over an organ called the rake, oxygen is absorbed. The mouth must be open in order for water to enter. This is why goldfish are constantly opening and closing their mouths
Class A symptoms
Repeat process until gills and mouth are moving on their own, or periodically every 10 minutes or so for 2 to 3 hours
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. Use syringe to force feed water through the mouth and gills using caffeinated water
If the fish doesn’t respond; add 1 more cup; repeat therapy
If the fish responds to treatment, release it back into its fish house, along with the bath water
Perform the 911 water change following instructions by clicking on the link
Class A symptoms
Continue with 20% daily water changes until a pond pump is installed and water is properly oxygenated. If you have an enclosed tank, remove the entire cover and lower water temperature to 54f to 64f until improvements are made to the environment or treatments began
Read and follow the 10 Steps to Goldfish Koi Keeping
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Author: Brenda Rand