stupid fish question?

Question

I've had a gold fish that is on the bottom of the tank and breathing(nothing else) after an accidental fish slaughter caused by me clobbering them w/ a siphon filter. he's been there breathing for 3 days and doing nothing else. i thought he might be dead and it's maybe it's nervous system but it's been 3 days and that would've stopped by now. heres the stupid question can a fish slip into a coma. now that the stupid question was asked. what could this be in reality. not my wacky brain. i don't want to dispose of him when he's still alive.

Answer 1

I don't know about a coma,,but I do know they can be KOed. I had one jump out of the water and hit the inside of the hood, and stay knocked out for about 15 minutes. Like you said, just laying on the bottom breathing. She's fine now. I also had a goldfish in my outside pond do this for 4-5 days, and she is now fine. I did the twice yearly cleaning, and put in the chlor out, then forgot and left the hose on, adding too much water for the amount of chlor out. I lost 4 of the fish, and this 5th one stayed on the bottom on its side barely breathing. Then on the 5th day voila,,she was up swimming around. I wouldn't throw it out until or unless it dies. You never know , it might gather itself, and end up ok.

Answer 2

you know, I don't know if they can slip into a coma, but I do know that the truest test of if an animal is near death is if they stop eating. Fish are fickle and aren't that hardy. I have to imagine if he's still alive after 3 days, he must be hanging in there and still grabbing a bite from time to time. You could try a little pet therapy. Pull up a chair, explain what happened and apologize. Promise to be more careful in the future and tell him how much you love him. Hey, I know I'd like that if someone clobbered me :)

Answer 3

It is probably freaking out because you clobbered it... Keep the tank lights off, or at least dimmed until the little guy can get himself together, and do everything you can to avoid stressing him (no loud noises, sudden movements, strong vibrations, sudden changes in temperature, or lighting). Do everything you can to save the little guy, and be sure you don't get rid of it until you are POSITIVE it is dead (not until rigor mortis sets in). If you feel the need to put it out of its misery, use clove oil and water in a bowl or bucket... :'( Contact me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

EIDT: Sure it's possible for a fish to have a coma... it isn't likely that it is from being bludgeoned with a siphon, but it's possible...

EDIT 2: Healthy fish can go for weeks without food, so you won't know if it is eating unless you see it.

Answer 4

hi there

there are no such a thing as stupid question. i think your fish probaly in shock from clobbering. try changing the water for the refeshment or re decorate your tank. leave the light on for 8 hours everyday (as normal) keep a close eyes on him\her and try not to feed him\her to much.

hope this helps

Answer 5

It may be the trauma, but it's also colder weather and fish are more inactive. As long as he's "just breathing" for now, don't offer daily food, since a tank change will just add to the trauma. BTW, your old dentist is a real piece of work. (If I ever get that pissed, I make sure no one can document it!!!
;-) )

Answer 6

No fish can't get into Coma. Probably the fish is in shock.

CC

Answer 7

I dont think he's in a coma if fish can even get that...

But his nervous system could be shocked.

Answer 8

I suppose they could become comatose,but I don't think yours is.He is probably just freaked out and stressed from the clobbering.Leave the lights off for a few days and let him recover.If he's made it for 3 days,he'll probably pull through.

Answer 9

No, if it's not floating it isn't dead. It might be cuz the stress,put some salt in there(1 tablespoon for each 5 gals.).
I've had19 Goldfish and only one is alive,salt saved it's live.
Hope it helps.

Answer 10

i had the same problem after a week he died ( my fish was a wag platie)