Illnesses, accidents and serious injuries don't just strike our human loved ones, our little aquatic friends are just as susceptible to traumatic injury as any other member of our family. As responsible reef keepers, it is up to us to learn basic Fish Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (FCPR). When a fish goes carpet surfing, gets crushed under an inadvertent rock slide or is on deaths doorstep from disease, we are the fish's last hope and need to be prepared to act quickly as time is of the essence. So where do you start once you have spotted a sick or injured fish?
First assess the situation and be sure it is safe to approach the injured fish. Putting your own life at risk does neither you nor the fish any good. Once you are certain the area is safe, position yourself at the side of your fallen comrade. If there is another human nearby, ask them to call 911 and then report back to you as soon as they contact the proper authorities. Next gently but firmly shake the fish and ask it "are you okay?" If you don't get a response, you need to act quickly. Check the fish's gills, if they still moving then the fish's heart is still beating and you will not need to administer FCPR yet, but you may need to assist the fish in breathing. If the fish's breathing is shallow or irregular, begin assisted breathing. While direct mouth to gill breathing is an option, the smart aquarist keeps a mask, safety goggles, latex gloves and air hose handy for these situations. Remember fish harbor parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to humans. If your fish hasn't been through a nine week quarantine period, never make direct mouth to gill contact! Here is the mask and hose I keep in my cabinet.
Please note the safety glasses, full face shield, latex gloves and one way mask I use. If the fish is not breathing when you approach it or quits breathing while you are giving it assisted breathing, you will then need to administer FCPR. Fish possess the simplest type of true heart "โ a two-chambered organ composed of one atrium and one ventricle. Blood is pumped from the ventricle through the conus arteriosus to the gills. That is, the blood travels from the heart to the gills, and then directly to the body before returning to the atrium through the sinus venosus to be circulated again. The heart rates of fish fall within the wide range of 60-240 beats per minute, depending upon species and water temperature. The fish's heart rate will be slower at lower temperatures. I have included a quick reference guide so you will know how many times per minute you need to compress the fish's chest. It's a good idea to copy this table and tape it to the front of your aquarium for quick reference.
Angels: 80, Anthias: 120, Basslets and Blennies: 135, Butterflyfish: 115, Cardinalfish: 60, Chromis, Clownfish and Damsels: 70, Gobies: 95, Tangs: 115, Wrasses: 200
Grasp the fish between your fingers and gently compress its chest with a downward motion driving the blood from the heart to its gills. Follow 15 quick short breaths with the number of compressions prescribed in the chart above, and then repeat the breaths and compressions until the fish begins to breathe on its own.
If after seven minutes the fish has not begun to breath unassisted, defibrillation is required. For small fish under 3" two AA batteries will provide enough of a shock to restart its heart. For larger fish use a 9 volt battery. Set the black wire (negative lead) to the left side of the fish just behind its pectoral fin. Then after making sure that no one else is in direct contact with the fish announcing in a loud voice "All Clear!" and with a quick jabbing motion contact the red (positive lead) wire to the fish's right side just below the gills.
Most fish will respond quickly to this treatment and start to breathe after the first shock, but in rare cases be prepared to apply a second shock. Remember you are all that stands between death and a happy healthy fish. Be Prepared!
First assess the situation and be sure it is safe to approach the injured fish. Putting your own life at risk does neither you nor the fish any good. Once you are certain the area is safe, position yourself at the side of your fallen comrade. If there is another human nearby, ask them to call 911 and then report back to you as soon as they contact the proper authorities. Next gently but firmly shake the fish and ask it "are you okay?" If you don't get a response, you need to act quickly. Check the fish's gills, if they still moving then the fish's heart is still beating and you will not need to administer FCPR yet, but you may need to assist the fish in breathing. If the fish's breathing is shallow or irregular, begin assisted breathing. While direct mouth to gill breathing is an option, the smart aquarist keeps a mask, safety goggles, latex gloves and air hose handy for these situations. Remember fish harbor parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to humans. If your fish hasn't been through a nine week quarantine period, never make direct mouth to gill contact! Here is the mask and hose I keep in my cabinet.
Please note the safety glasses, full face shield, latex gloves and one way mask I use. If the fish is not breathing when you approach it or quits breathing while you are giving it assisted breathing, you will then need to administer FCPR. Fish possess the simplest type of true heart "โ a two-chambered organ composed of one atrium and one ventricle. Blood is pumped from the ventricle through the conus arteriosus to the gills. That is, the blood travels from the heart to the gills, and then directly to the body before returning to the atrium through the sinus venosus to be circulated again. The heart rates of fish fall within the wide range of 60-240 beats per minute, depending upon species and water temperature. The fish's heart rate will be slower at lower temperatures. I have included a quick reference guide so you will know how many times per minute you need to compress the fish's chest. It's a good idea to copy this table and tape it to the front of your aquarium for quick reference.
Angels: 80, Anthias: 120, Basslets and Blennies: 135, Butterflyfish: 115, Cardinalfish: 60, Chromis, Clownfish and Damsels: 70, Gobies: 95, Tangs: 115, Wrasses: 200
Grasp the fish between your fingers and gently compress its chest with a downward motion driving the blood from the heart to its gills. Follow 15 quick short breaths with the number of compressions prescribed in the chart above, and then repeat the breaths and compressions until the fish begins to breathe on its own.
If after seven minutes the fish has not begun to breath unassisted, defibrillation is required. For small fish under 3" two AA batteries will provide enough of a shock to restart its heart. For larger fish use a 9 volt battery. Set the black wire (negative lead) to the left side of the fish just behind its pectoral fin. Then after making sure that no one else is in direct contact with the fish announcing in a loud voice "All Clear!" and with a quick jabbing motion contact the red (positive lead) wire to the fish's right side just below the gills.
Most fish will respond quickly to this treatment and start to breathe after the first shock, but in rare cases be prepared to apply a second shock. Remember you are all that stands between death and a happy healthy fish. Be Prepared!
