Is my fish dying?

xbrooklyngrl

One of my new fish (elmo) has been swimming on its side for days. He'll go under the little tree and lay there like he's dead and then pop back out. Does this mean he's on his death bed?

I'm happy to report Mr. Fishy aka. BrooklynFish is doing excellent! He's so damn big and is still performing tricks and even talks back to me when I tell him he's had enough food.

pookie2005

Yes, I'd give him a week or less.  Condolences.

Isabella T.

I believe he is not long for this world

xbrooklyngrl

oh crap, I was hoping someone would say he just has a cold. Damn it, I think DH killed him, I knew I should've kept feeding him 3x's a day like I did with my BrooklynFish. I'm so sad

Do we put him out of his misery or let him be?

VivaAmore

Sounds like it. Is it a goldfish? I think it's common for them to get this swimbladder thing.

xbrooklyngrl

they said it is, they said its a fan tail goldfish. I think.

 

dnagal

Petstores sell a product called stress coat (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, about 4-5$).  It  gets rid of the chlorine in the water but also helps replace the protective slime coat that covers the fish (which can be easily damaged by handling, moving tanks, chlorine, etc.)  Sometimes it works as a last ditch save the fish strategy!

xbrooklyngrl

ohh I'm going to try that tonight if he's still with us. Thank you!

dnagal

Is it floating?  They can sometimes recover from this if you improve the water quality--but I think this guy's in the bigger tank with the filter, yes? So the water may not be the issue. 

anyway--if he looks like he's suffering, you can put him out of his misery using this:

baking soda: as it increases the carbon dioxide level in the tank to toxic levels, but it's method is to make the fish peacefully fall asleep quickly before it's respiration fails. Remove your fish from his tank to a holding container with enough room to swim around. Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda to a quart of water and pour into the holding container. Your fish should quickly turn to his side and shortly thereafter his breathing should stop. Allow him to remain in the solution at least 10 minutes after the last sign of breathing. 

Do not put him in the freezer!  This is a very painful way to euthanize a fish.
 

xbrooklyngrl

yes he is floating and every few minutes he'll do a little swim and go off on his side.

I have to call DH now. He said he'd put him out of his misery today. I have to save poor elmo.

VivaAmore

This is exactly why I decided not to have a fishtank anymore. It's MUCH more work than people think! Too emotional.

xbrooklyngrl

you are so right! I feel awful. I think I'm keeping Mr, Fishy in his vase. He's been fine there for weeks and now I'm afraid to move him.

VivaAmore

My carnie goldfish lived 8 years in a nasty ass bowl that I cleaned maybe every few months. (whenever the water got so cloudy that I could barely see him)!

xbrooklyngrl

OMG T! lol I clean that thing every night for him. He's so special!

VivaAmore

xbrooklyngrl:

He's so special!

LMFAO! You're THIS close to getting a dog. LOL

xbrooklyngrl

that's a negative. J promised B a cat when she's 5. I'm against that idea.