Symptoms & urgent help
Fish in distress: what to do first
Rapid breathing, loss of balance, severe injury or several fish deteriorating together need prompt help.
Check the immediate system
Check power, water flow and safe aeration. Stop any ongoing suspected chemical input. Avoid repeated netting or adding another treatment before the situation is assessed.
Collect useful information
Write down what changed and when. Take water readings if safe, including temperature, ammonia, nitrite and pH. Record which fish are affected and any deaths.
Get the right help
Contact an aquatic vet or competent fish-health professional urgently. If a listed disease is suspected, use the official reporting route. Keep the exact product packaging for anything recently used.
Sources & further reading
Original WakeyKoi wording, informed by the references below. Linked clinical resources explain the evidence and their scope; they have not reviewed or endorsed this website.
Related guides
Educational guidance cannot diagnose an individual fish. Breathing distress, severe injury or unexplained losses need prompt professional assessment.