It can be distressing when you find any of your pets struggling, but unfortunately, emergencies do happen. If your goldfish appears to be in distress, your next actions can make the difference between your goldfish recuperating or dying (though sometimes, death is inevitable).
Here, we go over what might be wrong with your fish and tried-and-true methods that can help in most goldfish emergencies. Hopefully, your pet will pull through in the end!
Quarantine Your Fish
If you have more than one fish in your aquarium and you suspect that one of them is sick, you should separate it from the others to avoid transmitting any possible diseases.
The separate tank setup should be filled with bottled mineral or filtered water. Don’t use the water from the aquarium because if the issue is with the water itself, this can only make things worse. Don’t use tap water unless you have a water conditioner, which is highly recommended for sick fish.
The ideal water temperature for goldfish falls between 60.8°F and 71.6°F, but sometimes, cooler water can help a distressed fish.
If you only have one goldfish, you can leave it in the tank for now, or if all the fish are sick, you don’t need to separate them.
It has entire chapters dedicated to in-depth diagnoses, treatment options, a treatment index, and a list of everything in our fishkeeping medicine cabinet, natural and commercial (and more!).
Check the Water Conditions
In the case of an emergency, how quickly you react can make the difference between life and death. Start with checking the condition of the water. This is usually the leading cause of most goldfish diseases.
You should have a testing kit if you own fish, so break it out and test the water. The liquid-based test kits are better than the strips for this. The nitrite and ammonia levels are the most important chemicals to check first because they can be the primary instigators in most goldfish illnesses and deaths.
The ideal water parameters should have no ammonia or nitrites, and the pH levels should be between 7.0 and 8.0, with 7.4 being the ideal. Nitrates should be less than 20 mg/L.
Fixing the Water Conditions
After using the test kit, if you find that the nitrate, nitrite, or ammonia levels are too high, you’ll need to fix the water conditions, which means you’ll need to do a complete water change. Be sure the fresh water has a similar temperature and pH levels and doesn’t contain any chlorine or other contaminants found in tap water.
You’ll want to use an aquarium thermometer to ensure that the water is close to the temperature that your goldfish is accustomed to. You’ll also want to use the water conditioner, which is used for water changes and helps fish that are injured or have a disease.
Add Salt to the Aquarium
After the water change, add aquarium salt or any salt that doesn’t contain iodine to the water. Salt can be effective at curing many goldfish diseases. It helps boost the immune system and can potentially eliminate stress.
Measure 1 teaspoon of salt for every gallon of water in the tank. Place the salt in a small container with water from the aquarium, and stir it until the salt has completely dissolved. Then slowly add this salt mixture to your goldfish’s tank.
Don’t add any more salt after the initial solution. You should do water changes of 25% of the water about once a week. The salt will gradually dilute itself out.
Potential Causes of Goldfish Distress
Now that your goldfish is hopefully recuperating, you should look for the cause of the problem so it doesn’t happen again.
After using the test kit on your aquarium, if the nitrite, ammonia, or pH levels were out of whack, you’ll know that that was the problem. After you’ve changed the water, you should be aware that the aquarium’s conditions should be monitored closely.
But if the water wasn’t the problem, it could be parasites or a disease. Look for any behaviors that are out of the ordinary for your goldfish, including:
Hiding behavior
Loss of appetite
Swimming upside down or vertically
Change in color: red could mean bacteria, white could mean they need more oxygen, and black might be ammonia poisoning
Common infections and diseases are:
- Hiding behavior
- Loss of appetite
- Swimming upside down or vertically
- Change in color: red could mean bacteria, white could mean they need more oxygen, and black might be ammonia poisoning
Ich
Flukes
Fish lice
Bacterial infections
There are multiple goldfish owner and expert forums online, so if you’re unable to pinpoint what’s wrong with your fish, you can try posting in one of these. Take photos of your fish!
- Ich
- Flukes
- Fish lice
- Bacterial infections
Many other fish owners will be happy to help you figure out what’s going on and can advise on treatment options. Otherwise, speak to a vet who specializes in fish.
- See Also: Can Goldfish Eat Betta Food? The Surprising Answer & More!
A Little Housekeeping
A few other factors can have an impact on your goldfish’s health. First, the size of the tank is crucial. Fishbowls aren’t big or oxygenated enough to keep your fish healthy and thriving.
Goldfish can grow from 6 inches up to 2 feet, so their growth can be stunted in a small tank. The general rule of thumb is to have a 20-gallon tank for two goldfish. You’ll need to go up in size as you get more fish. Be sure to have a lid for the tank, so your goldfish doesn’t leap out.
All tanks need a filtration system to give them oxygen. Adding live plants to mimic their natural environment can also help them live longer lives.
Stock up on emergency supplies if you don’t already have them:
Water conditioner
Aquarium thermometer
Aquarium salt
Aquarium test kit
Ask for help when it’s needed, particularly if you’re a new fish owner. It takes time to gain the knowledge that can help you understand your goldfish and its needs and health better. You can also ensure that you know how to set up a new aquarium.
Water conditioner
Aquarium thermometer
Aquarium salt
Aquarium test kit
Water conditioner
Aquarium thermometer
Aquarium salt
Aquarium test kit
See Also: Can Goldfish Drown? Fact vs Fiction
Conclusion
There are many factors that can cause a goldfish to become stressed or contract diseases. The most important thing is to act immediately when you find your goldfish in obvious trouble. Remove your fish from the tank and place it in clean water while checking the water conditions of the aquarium and doing a water change.
Using a water conditioner and aquarium salt can quickly revive goldfish. It’s good to bear in mind that nine times out of ten, the problem usually lies with the aquarium itself. If you become familiar with your goldfish’s behavior and closely monitor their water parameters, your goldfish should remain healthy for years.
Featured Image Credit: M-Production, Shutterstock
