If you own a goldfish and love having it as a pet, it can be distressing if it shows signs that it is dying. There are many causes that can lead him to this state, from illness to depression, but by taking some timely measures, you can save him from death and enjoy his company for 10-20 years.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Analyzing the Problem
Step 1. Separate the sick fish from the others
If you have a specimen that is not doing well, it is important to keep it away from other goldfish so that they do not get infected; if you have only one fish, you can leave it in the aquarium.
- If you are transferring him to a "hospital" tank, use a plastic bag inside a paper one so that the animal does not get stressed.
- You may decide to fill the new container with the same aquarium water; However, keep in mind that it could be responsible for the precarious health of the fish and could therefore aggravate the situation. If you decide to transfer it to a tank with fresh water, simply place the bag inside the container for 15-20 minutes to balance the temperature and not shock the animal.
Step 2. Check the water quality
Most dying fish can be easily recovered by changing the water; ensuring their quality is an essential aspect of keeping your little fish healthy and happy, as well as alive!
- You can purchase a water analysis kit at major pet stores.
- It is a tool that can detect any water problem factors, such as an excessive level of ammonia.
- Measure the temperature to make sure it is between 10 and 25 ° C.
- Test the acidity of the water; most fish prefer a neutral pH, around 7.
- If the environment is too acidic, you can purchase a neutralizing chemical that you find at almost any pet store.
- It also measures oxygenation to make sure the saturation level is above 70%.
Step 3. Clean the aquarium and change the water
Goldfish produce a lot of feces and the water gets dirty easily, filling with ammonia, bacteria and algae. A simple cleaning and water change can get your little friend back to health quickly.
- Keep the fish in a second tank while you clean the first and replace the water.
- You should clean up once a week to prevent colonies of bacteria from developing.
- Remove 15% of the water, all gravel and any algae.
- Do not use any chemicals; it is sufficient to rinse the gravel and eliminate the chemical products that, evaporating, have deposited on the walls of the aquarium; even a small amount of chemicals or detergents can kill the fish.
- Fill the tub with fresh fresh tap water, adding a chlorine abatement product to remove the excess.
Step 4. Check the fish
Once the aquarium has been cleaned and the water changed, monitor it for a few days to see if these measures help it to feel better; by doing so, you can understand what was or what is the cause of his malaise.
- You may notice immediate results, for example if the tank did not contain enough oxygen, or it may take a few days for the fish to adapt to the renewed water and aquarium.
- Wait a day or two before trying other remedies to make sure you are not treating the fish for any diseases it does not have, potentially making the situation worse.
Part 2 of 3: Revive the Fish
Step 1. Identify the symptoms
There are many different signs of disease, but by identifying them early and correctly you can save the fish from death.
- The best time to check for any signs of illness or symptoms that may suggest impending death is before meals.
- Respiratory problems: check if he behaves as if he is "hungry for air", if he breathes quickly, stays on the surface of the water or lies on the bottom of the aquarium, all signs that can indicate diseases or poor water quality;
- Internal parasites: this fish is naturally very hungry and if you notice that it does not eat or lose weight, it could suffer from an internal parasitosis;
- Swim bladder disease - check if it swims erratically, upside down, or rubs against surfaces this behavior could indicate various ailments, from the swim bladder to an unsuitable diet;
- Fungal diseases: If the goldfish shows signs such as broken and bent fins, stained areas of the body, bumps or nodules, eye protrusion, pale gills or swelling, they may be suffering from some fungal infection.
- Corrosion of the fins: it is one of the most common fungal diseases in fish and manifests itself with white-milky areas on the fins or on the tail, the fins also appear frayed.
Step 2. Check for symptoms in other fish
Once you have identified the signs of discomfort in the dying fish, check if the other animals in the aquarium also show similar characteristics; this way, you can better understand the underlying cause of the disease.
Step 3. Remove the filter and treat the water
You can cure diseases such as yeast infections and tail corrosion by removing the filter properly and doing a water treatment; this foresight can save the fish from death.
- Remove the activated charcoal filter and use a commercial product, such as minocycline for fin corrosion or methylene blue if you have yeast infections.
- If you are not sure what disease the fish suffers from, do not use these substances; if you pour a product into the water for a problem that does not actually exist, you can cause serious damage to the animal.
Step 4. Treat the water with the heat and salt method
If you notice that the fish has white spots on the body, it probably suffers from the white spot disease (icthyophthyriasis) caused by the parasites Ichthyophthirius multifiliis; but with heat and salt you can cure it and save the animal.
- Slowly raise the water temperature up to 30 ° C for more than 48 hours to stop parasite reproduction and keep it that way for 10 days;
- Add a tablespoon of salt for every 20 liters of water;
- Change the tub water every couple of days;
- Gradually reduce the temperature back to 18 ° C;
- You can use this method if there are healthy fish in the aquarium; this procedure also helps eliminate individual parasites that may have infected healthy specimens.
Step 5. Feed your fish plant-based, low-protein foods
Some fish may suffer from swim bladder disease which cannot be cured by changing the water; if that's the case too, you can feed your little friend with vegetables like frozen peas and other low-protein food to ease the malaise.
- Frozen peas are a great choice, because they are high in fiber and fall to the bottom of the aquarium, so the fish doesn't have to look for them on the surface.
- Don't overfeed a sick specimen; only give him new feed when he has finished the previous meal. If you don't comply with this rule, the amount of ammonia can increase to dangerous levels and make you sick.
Step 6. Cut out the parasites with tweezers
If you notice parasites on the body of the fish, such as Lernea (anchor worm), you can remove them with this tool; be careful and proceed with extreme caution so as not to injure or kill your little friend.
- Some parasites burrow deep into the goldfish's skin; in this case, you must intervene by associating the excision with the use of chemicals to kill pathogens.
- Make sure you grab the parasites as close to the fish's wounds as possible to remove them completely.
- Put the fish back into the water every minute or so to allow it to breathe.
- It may take a few weeks before the parasite infestation from the tank is completely eradicated.
- Follow this method only if you know for sure that the fish has worms or parasites and if you are able to handle it gently so as not to kill it.
Step 7. Use a commercial fish medicament
If you have not identified the disease that afflicts the animal, you can try a remedy that you find on the market; this could cure him of possible diseases or parasitic infestations.
- You can buy these types of products at major pet stores or large supermarkets.
- Keep in mind that these are not always regulated products or products recognized as veterinary drugs and could therefore be useless or even dangerous for the animal.
Step 8. Take the fish to the vet
If you have not found positive results with the home remedies, you must have it examined by your doctor, who can diagnose the origin of the symptoms and set up a therapy.
- Make sure you carry the fish in a plastic bag wrapped in a paper bag, so as not to cause stress.
- Be aware that the vet may not be able to help your little friend who may die despite treatment.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Goldfish Diseases
Step 1. Remember that prevention is the best medicine
Preventing possible fish diseases is the best way to save it from death; by taking proper care of it, taking care of regular aquarium cleaning up to a varied diet, you can greatly reduce the risk of death.
Step 2. Ensure water quality
To keep the fish alive, it is extremely important that the environment in which it swims remains clean; You don't just have to make sure that the water is at the optimum temperature, but that there is also enough oxygen.
- The goldfish prefers an environment with a temperature between 10 and 25 ° C; the colder the water, the higher the oxygen content.
- This fish produces a lot of waste which in turn raises ammonia levels in the aquarium, thereby increasing the risk of disease and death.
- Analyze the water every week to make sure it meets the quality requirements.
Step 3. Clean the aquarium regularly
By respecting this commitment correctly, you will not only maintain good water quality, but also remove any bacteria or algae that can endanger the fish's life. A weekly cleaning can be of great help in preventing possible diseases.
- Change several liters of water every week to get rid of excess chemicals;
- Clean the gravel and aquarium walls to remove algae or dirt that has built up;
- Prune any plants that have overgrown;
- Clean or replace the carbon filter once a month;
- Remember not to use any chemicals or cleaners, as this could kill the fish.
Step 4. Offer him a varied diet
One of the best ways to keep him from dying is to give him a varied and well-balanced diet. Another equally important aspect is not to overdo the portions, otherwise not only could you get sick, but the quality of the water would be compromised.
- You can give him specific commercial feed which is sold in the form of dried flakes and which ensures a balanced diet.
- You can offer him different foods, such as peas, pickled shrimp, American worms (Glycera) and sludge worms (Tubifex).
- You can also secure algae-based snacks by letting them grow in a corner of the tub so they can nibble on them whenever they want.
- Don't overfeed him, he only needs to eat once a day; any leftover food falls to the bottom, dirtying the water.
Step 5. Separate the diseased fish from the healthy fish
If only one or a few animals are sick or dying, move them away from healthy ones to prevent the possibility of contagion.
- It is a good idea to have a "hospital" aquarium in which to put sick fish.
- Only return the fish to the aquarium when it is perfectly healthy.
Advice
- Be prepared for the fact that you may not even be able to save the goldfish.
- If you are not sure what to do, contact your vet immediately and describe the problem.
