How to Save a Dying Goldfish

If you own a goldfish and treat it with the same care as any other pet, it can be heartbreaking to witness its decline. There are various reasons a goldfish might die, ranging from illness to depression. However, by taking the right steps early on, you can save your goldfish and even extend its life by another 10-20 years.

Isolate the Sick Goldfish. When a goldfish falls ill, it's crucial to separate it from the other fish to prevent any potential diseases from spreading. If you only have one goldfish, you can simply keep it in its tank.

• When transferring the sick goldfish to a 'hospital' tank, place the fish in a plastic bag and wrap it with paper to reduce stress.
• You might need to transfer water from the old tank to the new one when moving the fish, but if the water is the source of the illness, this could worsen the situation. If you're using new water, simply place the plastic bag containing the fish in the water for about 15-20 minutes to adjust the temperature and prevent the fish from going into shock.

Check the Water Quality. Goldfish showing signs of dying can often be revived by adjusting the water conditions. Maintaining water quality is essential to keeping your fish healthy, happy, and alive.

• You can purchase an aquarium water test kit from most pet stores.
• The water test kit can help identify issues in the water, such as high levels of ammonia.
• Ensure the water temperature is within the range of 10-21°C.
• Check the pH level of the water. Most fish thrive in neutral water, with a pH close to 7.
• If the pH is too high, you can buy a neutralizer from many pet stores.
• Test the oxygen levels to ensure dissolved oxygen is above 70%.

Clean the Tank and Change the Water. Goldfish produce a lot of waste, so the water in the tank can quickly become dirty, leading to ammonia buildup, bacteria, and algae. You can save the fish immediately just by cleaning the tank and changing the water.

• Place the fish in a separate tank while cleaning and changing the water.
• It's recommended to clean the tank once a week to prevent bacterial buildup.
• Remove 15% of the water, clear out all the gravel, and remove any algae from the tank.
• Do not add any chemicals to the water. Simply clean the gravel and use a mild cleaning solution on the tank walls. Even a small amount of chemicals or soap can kill the fish.
• Fill the tank with fresh tap water and add dechlorinator to the new water to remove chlorine.

Observe the Goldfish. After cleaning the tank and changing the water, observe the fish for a few days to see if this treatment has helped. This will also help you identify what might have been causing the fish's illness.

• You may notice results immediately, such as a lack of oxygen in the water, or it might take a few days for the goldfish to adjust to the new water.
• Wait a day or two before trying any other treatments to ensure you are not treating a non-existent condition, as this could harm the fish.

Identify the Symptoms of a Dying Goldfish. Many symptoms can appear in a dying goldfish. Identifying these signs early and accurately can help save the fish from death.

• The best time to check for signs of illness or death is before feeding.
• Respiratory distress: Symptoms such as gasping for air, rapid breathing, floating listlessly on the water's surface, or lying at the bottom of the tank may indicate the fish is sick or the water quality is poor.
• Parasites: Goldfish are known for their appetite, and if you notice it eating less or losing weight, this could be a sign of internal parasites.
• Swim Bladder Disease: Signs such as the fish swimming upright, upside down, or rubbing against surfaces can indicate swim bladder disease or an improper diet.
• Fungal Infections: Symptoms like folded or torn fins, discolored spots, lumps, bumps, bulging eyes, pale gills, or bloated bellies could indicate a fungal infection.
• Fin Rot: One of the most common fungal infections in goldfish, with symptoms like white, cloudy patches on the fins or tail, and ragged fin edges.

Observe Symptoms in Other Fish. Once you have identified the signs of a dying goldfish, it’s important to check if other fish in the tank are displaying similar symptoms. This can help pinpoint the potential cause of the illness affecting your goldfish.

Remove the Filter and Treat the Water. You can treat fungal infections and fin rot by removing the filter from the aquarium and treating the water. This method can help save your goldfish.

• Remove the carbon filter from the aquarium and use medications like Maracyn-Two to treat fin rot or methylene blue to treat fungal infections.
• If you are unsure whether the fish has fungal or fin rot, avoid using these medications. Applying chemicals unnecessarily can harm the goldfish.

Use Heat and Salt to Treat the Water. If you notice white spots on the fish's body, it could be a sign of parasitic diseases like ich, anchor worms, or lice. The heat and salt method can help treat these conditions and save your goldfish.

• Gradually increase the water temperature in the tank to 30°C for over 48 hours to stop ich parasites from multiplying. Maintain this temperature for 10 days.
• Add 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt for every 20 liters of water.
• Change the aquarium water every few days.
• Slowly decrease the tank temperature back to 18°C.
• This method is safe for healthy fish in the same tank and can help eliminate any parasites affecting them as well.

Feed the Fish Vegetables and Low-Protein Foods. Some goldfish suffering from swim bladder disease cannot be treated with water changes alone. Feeding the fish vegetables, such as frozen peas, and low-protein food can help treat swim bladder problems.

• Frozen peas are a good choice because they are high in fiber and sink to the bottom of the tank, preventing the goldfish from having to rise to the surface to eat.
• Do not overfeed the sick fish. Only offer new food after they’ve finished the previous meal. Overfeeding can cause ammonia issues and worsen the fish’s condition.

Use Tweezers to Remove Parasites. If you observe parasites like anchor worms on your goldfish, you can manually remove them using tweezers. Be gentle to avoid injuring or killing the fish.

• Some parasites burrow into the fish’s body. You may need to combine manual removal with anti-parasitic medications.
• Make sure to grip the parasite as close to the wound on the fish as possible to ensure complete removal.
• Occasionally place the fish back into the water for air after about a minute.
• This process may take several weeks to fully eradicate parasites from the tank.
• Only use this method if you are sure the fish has parasites and can handle the fish gently without causing harm.

Use Commercial Medications for Treatment. If you're unsure about what illness your fish might have, you can try using commercial medications designed for treating various fish diseases. This approach may help save your fish from illness or parasites.

• You can find fish medication at most pet stores, and even some larger retail chains.
• Keep in mind that fish medications are not regulated by government authorities, meaning they may either be ineffective or harmful to the fish. The best way to treat your fish is by knowing exactly what the illness is.

Take Your Fish to a Veterinarian. At-home treatments may not always be effective, so in these cases, it’s best to take your fish to a veterinarian. The vet can diagnose the cause of the symptoms and provide a treatment plan.

• Be sure to transport your fish in a plastic bag inside another bag to reduce stress during transit.
• Understand that there’s a chance the veterinarian might not be able to save your fish, and it could pass away despite medical intervention.

Understand that Prevention is Better than Cure. Preventing illness in goldfish is the most effective way to keep them healthy. Regular tank maintenance and a balanced diet are key to reducing the chances of your fish falling ill.

Maintain Water Quality. Providing clean water is crucial for keeping your fish alive. It’s important to ensure the water temperature is suitable and the oxygen levels are optimal for your goldfish.

• Goldfish thrive in water temperatures between 10°C to 25.5°C. Cooler water helps maintain higher oxygen levels.
• Goldfish produce a lot of waste, which raises ammonia levels in the tank, increasing the risk of illness or death.
• Test the water weekly to ensure its quality remains high.

Regularly Clean the Fish Tank. Keeping your aquarium clean not only maintains water quality but also helps eliminate bacteria or algae that can harm your goldfish. Cleaning your tank weekly can prevent diseases from affecting your fish.

• Replace several liters of water each week to reduce chemical buildup.
• Clean the gravel and scrub the tank walls to remove algae and mineral deposits.
• Trim any overgrown aquatic plants.
• Clean or replace the carbon filter every month.
• Never use chemicals or soap to clean the tank as these can be lethal to the fish.

Feed Goldfish a Variety of Foods. One of the best ways to prevent your goldfish from dying is to provide a balanced and diverse diet. Equally important is to avoid overfeeding, as it can lead to health issues and poor water quality.

• You can feed your goldfish dry commercial food pellets. These provide a well-balanced diet.
• Offer a variety of foods such as peas, shrimp, bloodworms, and earthworms.
• Consider adding algae to the tank as an additional food source by growing it in a corner of the tank for the goldfish to nibble on.
• Do not overfeed your fish. Goldfish only need one meal per day. Uneaten food that sinks to the bottom can pollute the water.

Quarantine Sick Goldfish from Healthy Ones. If only one goldfish appears sick or shows signs of imminent death, it’s essential to separate the sick fish from the healthy ones to prevent the spread of illness.

• Using a separate tank, also known as a 'hospital tank,' for the sick fish is a good idea.
• Only return the fish to the main tank once it has fully recovered.