Emergency! Sick goldfish.

[Jacky12]

thanks, i saw many at amazon including the combo pH TDS meter. i already have a pH meter

 

[Saul]

Unfortunately, I am now seeing fin deterioration in the sick fish.
I have done a water change today, and I have been treating the water with Melafix.

I will be out of town for a week. I will have to leave instructions for a friend on what to do, and hope that nothing happens when I am away.

I am unsure of what to do at this point, seeing that he is not getting better.
I do not want him to suffer more than he has to, but I do not want to lose hope that he will improve.

 

[Jacky12]

Oh, Saul, I’m so very sorry to hear this. It’s not your fault, you did everything right.
I have no idea if they suffer or how much. I do know people euthanize fish with clove oil, forgot details, but I have a bottle hidden away where I don’t have to look at it, but know it’s there. I think you’ll know when/if the time has come.

 

[Saul]

I believe that I may have to.

I will have to order the clove oil, and that will give me a few more days to recognize any progress atleast.

 

[Jacky12]

That’s reasonable. I’ve read people euthanize fish by freezing them as well, & have no idea if they’re equally human. That is an unpleasant subject & I avoid reading about sad stuff.

 

[Aiken Drum]

https://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f17/an-overview-of-euthanasia-73775.html

 

[Saul]

He ate today, good sign. He is swimming as well, although weakly.

 

[Jacky12]

Awesome! I have always felt that he made it this long was positive. Here’s hoping for the very best! I basically quit the goldfish and GloFish FB groups because so many people don’t know how to care for their fish and they were often dying within 1-2 days.

 

[Saul]

I have been updated by my friend that the fish are currently alive, and eating well.. especially the "fat orange one."

All is well for now, and I will continue to come here for advice in the future.

 

[Jacky12]

Terrific news, Saul! I was always optimistic because these guys lasted so long. Yay! For that fat orange one. I have a few of my own like that.

 

[Colin_T]

This is a long thread and new people with a similar issue might be interested in what you did to fix the problem. Can you let them know what you did to fix the issue?

 

[Saul]

Of course.
The fish have improved greatly.

Frequent water changes helped, 1-2 times a day. I treated the water with Melafix for a week or so.
The fish seemed more comfortable and less stressed in the tank, so I stopped using the temporary holding.

I continued to check the water temperature frequently, because my fish prefer warmer water. I had cut back on feeding as well, and slowly introduced it again.

It really just took time.

 

[Jacky12]

Yay, Saul!

 

[Colin_T]

Good stuff, well done