Think happy fishy thoughts for my danio :(

[webcricket]

I was sitting in front of my tanks watching the fish when my cat kindly pointed out something on the floor next to me. My oldest danio jumped at some point in the minute or so I had the cover open to feed the fish. He was probably down there on the floor a good 30 minutes while I happily watched the fish not knowing he was missing. He was still slimey (tacky to the touch), but not wet, and not moving. I plopped him back in and he revived - very red gills, open wide and covered with cat hair.

Some people might see a danio as a "cheap" expendable fish, but I've had this guy over 3 years. He's special, blind in one damaged eye all his life. Every day he fights for food and I am surprised he has survived.

I'm not euthanizing, I think he deserves a chance to pull through. He's trying to swim with the others and not at the surface gasping for air. Unfortunately he landed and dried good eye down - the eye is bright red now and not looking good.. Anyhow, I'm sad and wanted to share. :(

[TheZoo]

:( Hope he pulls through!

[webcricket]

Thank you.

I feel so helpless with him. I've worked for vets on and off for over 10 years and I can do anything and everything for a dog or cat in an emergency but nothing for this little fish.

[khombre]

How is it? Doing better? :dive2:

[webcricket]

Good news!!!

He's looking almost normal today! He's eating and swimming around as usual and still seems to be able to see from the "good" eye! I'm relieved!!! I'm keeping an eye on an area of missing scales though - I did an extra water change just to be sure the water in that tank is pristine and try to prevent any infection.

These are tough little fish! Hopefully he'll continue to do well!

[WrittenLyric]

Aww I love my 3 danios so I feel you! Out of my tank, my danios are the most liveliest and entertaining ones of all, these fellas are great little fish! Kudos to your cat for aiding in the assist and rescue hehe

[khombre]

That's good to hear. Tough little guy you have eh? :bday:

[fishcatch22]

he's as tough as my betta. he once took a 6 foot plunge on to a hard linoleum floor, was knocked out for half an hour, than mircaulously came back to life like nothing had happened.

[travis]

if i were you i would raise the temp to 84 degrees and add a bit of salt, as a preventative measure. thats my favorite all-around treatment because you dont need to put the fish in a Q-tank because the high temp and salt cant really hurt the other fish unless they have special requirements. also it is very effective. i have unknowingly purchased some fish with fungus and after 5 days of heat+salt they were looking great.


i also remember reading something about how cloudy eyes in fish are completely treatable, so maybe your danio can be saved from partial blindness. i would get him settled in a q-tank and once hes ok in there add a broad-sprectrum antibiotic. theres a chance that it could fix his eye. but if you think you might try this dont do it until he's fully recovered from his recent accident.