Close Call

[Smells a bit fishy]

Was changing tanks over last night, so I put my fish in 2 buckets whilst I changed them over.

I put them in the next room and I turned the lights off so it didn't cause them even more stress, as I have a catfish.

I went in there and found my blue gourami laying still, gills not moving on the floor. So I got a carrier bag to pick him up. And to my surprise (and shock) he started moving!!

So I quickly put him back in the bucket, he had a fit of sorts then was laying on his side at the bottom. I picked up the bucket and he started swimming again.

He was a horrible jet black colour ewwww!!

I put him in the new tank and he started to go his normal colour again, and swimming.

Now I call that a close call. I have no idea how long he was on the floor for, or how long they can survive out of water for.

Also do you think he will be ok? Or do you think he will have any long term effects from this little outing?

 

[nosoup4you]

I've seen fish come back from some pretty amazing things. I once had a tinfoil barb jump out of the tank and flop all the way across the house. When I found him he was nearly completely dry and covered in carpet lint. I tossed him back into the tank. After a few minutes of twitching about, he was back to normal. I imagine the fact that your gourami is a labyrinth fish and able to breath air directly from the atmosphere did him a favor. He'll likely be no worse for wear. Just make sure to keep the tank water clean as that'll help to prevent secondary infections that he might pick up from any holiday injuries he might have.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Yeh I thought that them being able to "breath out of water" would have helped. Yeh I will make sure the water is good.

It was almost scary touching him and him looking at me. I really did think he was dead.

So glad he's not

 

[CrazyAirborne]

wow! lucky for him! that would be quite scary!