I have two small little tank goldfish (only worth a couple of dollars each) but I just got one of them and he likes to swim near the filter (I guess he likes the feeling of swimming against the current or something). Anyway, he was just swimming near it like he always does and I left the room for a minute to get a glass of water and when I came back he was upside down with his tail stuck behind/in the filter. He was taking big breaths and I ran to get my mom. We were able to get him out but not he seems like he is in shock. He is barely swimming but is breathing. I put some salt in to keep him out of shock, and he just layed in a plant for a while. Now he is near the filter still breathing, but it doesn't look very good. Please, does anyone have any suggestions to help him? He looks in pain, but I don't want to lose another fish.
2007-11-12 16:38:19 · 2 answers · asked by Cierra S 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
We decided to unplug the filter for the night to help keep him unstressed. Is there anything else we can do?
2007-11-12 16:43:43 · update #1
We had unplugged it to keep him from getting sucked back to the filter (he was doing this). I looked all over the filter and didn't find any nob or switch to reduce the flow. I don't know what you meant by "turn the filter" but it was a very inexpensive tank and filter, so I don't think it does that.
2007-11-12 17:02:47 · update #2
Alright thank you guys for some quick suggestions. Unfortunately, he didn't make it throught the night. I am just so confused why he died- he was only stuck for under a minute. Oh well, back to Petsmart we go. Thank you!
2007-11-13 01:58:56 · update #3
Don't unplug the filter - the goldfish need this as a way to keep the water oxygenated.
Instead, see if there's a way to reduce the flow from the filter. Most have a knob on the top of the U-shaped tube that pulls the water out of the tank. If yours doesn't have this, the tube itself may turn to one side (see your manual). Also, there should be a strainer that covers the opening of the tube on the side in your tank. If you don't have one, tie an old nylon stocking over the opening.
2007-11-12 16:49:00 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Your goldfish was probably very weak to begin with. Leave him alone and keep the lights off for the rest of the night and see how he is in the morning.
You should be able to adjust the flow of your filter. Sometimes there is an actual switch and sometimes you just have to pull the intake tube up a bit to slow the flow.
Good luck with your little guy.
2007-11-13 00:49:49 · answer #2 · answered by FishStory 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋