***************** Yesterday, when I returned the goldfish to the tank, I didn’t bother with proper acclimation, and our floating Ryukin quickly fell into distress. After researching online, it seems the culprit was indeed pH shock.
A pH shock occurs when a sudden change in water pH stresses the fish. Goldfish are usually more tolerant of pH than tropical fish, so I had let my guard down.
The symptoms were unmistakable:
Swimming frantically around the tank. → Immediately after returning it to the tank, the fish was thrashing around oddly and even banged its head into the corners.
Sinking to the bottom, becoming motionless, or floating weakly.
Further investigation revealed that the medication I used, Green F Gold Liquid, is excellent, but it tends to make the water quite alkaline. On top of that, I had added salt, so the tank water had become strongly alkaline. Without gradually acclimating the fish back to normal water, it’s no wonder the goldfish weakened.
Looking back, last year I lost two ordinary goldfish after trying to treat a minor case of Ich (white spot disease). At the time, I suspected ammonia poisoning, but rereading my old blog, I now think it was also pH shock.
To stabilize the floating Ryukin, I raised the salt concentration in the tank and added a little Green F Liquid last night. Instead of isolating the fish further, I effectively turned the entire tank into a medicated bath. Thanks to that, the Ryukin has regained some strength this morning. However, its tail fin has worsened due to yesterday’s pH shock, so full recovery will take a little more time.
High-maintenance pets are always a handful—but perhaps it’s that extra care that makes them all the more endearing, whether they’re human or goldfish.