Odd Fish Recovery

[goldenpuon]

My goldfish Oranda has not been doing well for the past 4 weeks or so. It seems to have lost its memory map of the tank (it is blind). But recently, it seems to have lost some coordination and was bumping into thing and staying more on the bottom. I shot a video around the 16th of this month showing the coordination issues.

A few days ago, I found Oranda on the bottom swaying with the current as if it was going to die soon, breathing shallowly, but responding slightlywhen I gently tapped the glass. Its tankmate, who I recently transferred from the 40 gallon about 3 weeks ago (Foneme) appeared perfectly fine. I darkened the tank partially and Oranda was trying to get up immedietely! O.O Curious, I darkened the tank even more and decided to wait to see what happened. I checked back laterand the fish seemed 90% better! This makes next to no sense since the fish is completely blind. After a few hours Oranda was looking much better and not swaying in the current/near death and even eating well/eagerly!! I found this recovery and immediete darkness effect very good, but also super puzzling. Right now, I still have the tank very dark. I will probably start to get the blankets off after another week just to be safe.

Here is a video from around the 16th. This is NOT when Oranda was near the bottom and looked like it was dying, but when it seemed to have lost a lot of coordination which was before the near-death thing fixed by the blanket/darkness.

Here is the video. Sorry for the poor lighting and quality... Anyway, enjoy!



Renee

[Carl]

This is interesting and telling how this seems to work for you.

I would agree from my observations (not tests) over the years that darkening a tank helps considerably for weak fish.

As for actual tests, what I do know, based on tests with new marine specimens back in the 1980s, is that when weak fish were placed in darkened tanks with Methylene Blue for 48 hours, they definitely perked up (after recovering from the initial shock of light once uncovered)
What I learned though is healthy fish showed no benefit from this and in fact it caused them to be LESS disease resistant. In fact strong/correct daylighting had a much more positive effective for long term health.

I would add the only other related test was with Velvet, and I found that darkening did NOT cure Velvet long term, it always came back (this despite some anecdotal statements in places like Yahoo Answers to the contrary). I would note that there are scientific reasons to explain this as well (which are found in my Aquarium Velvet Article)

Back to your observation; What this tells me based on my observations (combined with yours), as well as my actual tests is that this is effective for fish that are already struggling with a weakened immune system for whatever reason.
As well while I think this is a GREAT idea short term, it is noteworthy that long term it is good high noon daylight lighting that is just if not more important.
I would also conclude too that this also is a point that their immune system is weakened from their genetics and early life in terrible water conditions that most all "Feeder Goldfish" are exposed too.

So I would conclude with I think you have done a great job with these "rescue" fish, but just do not place too much stress on yourself in what you have no control over, such as poor genetics and the water conditions these poor fish were exposed to prior to your rescue.

I would also keep up with these occasional darkened tanks, just realize that these fish also will need good lighting too.

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks Carl. I do not keep the tanks darkened other than when something is wrong and now (such as for Oranda), I uncovered part of the tank so some light could get in. I will make sure to moderate how long and how dark I keepmy tanks as per your warning about less disease resistence. I don't have any lights for my tanks however due to my mom being worried about electricity and such with them running. So I hopefully they are getting enough light when uncovered as well. :/

Renee

[goldenpuon]

For an very late update, Oranda is doing well from what I can see and is acting better. Perhaps it was having an off time due to its issues or maybe even near sleeping. (I imagine that might make it easier for fish to sleep at odd hours even though they have a good internal clock).

On the down side, Foneme's vision is going downhill. I can tell by the fish needing me to come very close to the tank or move more to see me. (Foneme begs anytime it sees me approach the tank or that I am around... at least when it could see better.)

Renee

[Carl]

While Foneme may be going blind, perhaps he still senses light and movement and vibrations which also stimulates him to your presence?

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Good point. ;)I bet that is how Foneme finds me. Foneme is still not fully blind, but is getting closer to it.

As for Oranda who has been blind for years, it goes into "look for food" mode if I gently tap on the glass, it detects vibratiosn indicating I am feeding it from me or the from the other fish.

Unfortunately, poor Oranda has to randomly nibble through the whole tank and rely on spots it remembers food sometimes collecting to find it. Foneme is becoming the same way which makes them evenly matched as far as blindly searching. The tank doesn't have gravel which helps and all food is eaten if they can reach it which 90% of the time.

Renee