Loaches Online Forum

I just saw this simple short news story http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/c ... p?sid=6235 (you may need to register I'm not sure - I don't think I can copy the story due to copyright)

Its about a guy who returned home to find that he had suffered a break-in and the robber had smashed his aquarium. He apparently saved the only surviving fish, a Clown Loach found in an inch of remaining water, and administered "emergency first aid by massaging the fish" after which it made a complete recovery.

After reading this I realised I don't know much about fish first aid.

Any do's or don'ts out there (serious or funny!) ?

I'll start the ball rolling with:

Place in water (!)

HA! Be sure to match the water temps, obviously, or you'll cause more problems. Funny funny.

I used to own elephant fish and they were serious jumpers. I learned early on what to do with a fish out of water. If the fish has been out of the water for an extended period of time, room or air temperature water is a must. Slowly pour the water over the fish and keep him mostly above the water. The fish could be in shock or over exerted and needs to be held until it has recovered. Massaging is a good idea. This helps relax the muscles in the fish and MAKES them put effort into surviving. it helps the respiratory system work more efficiently and gets blood moving through the body.

Still don't have a fail proof system for severe cuts or abrasions.