Aquatic Emergency Template

If you have a sick fish or any aquarium emergency that needs our help, then please use this emergency template by answering the questions in each segment.

These questions were specifically designed to make it easier for us to help you with your fish. Copy the template and paste it into a new thread, and put your answers in plain text after each question.

Please begin copying the guide starting at the tank section below, and stop after the prompt for the detailed explanation paragraph at the foot of the template. Please answer all questions to the best of your ability. Also, please be sure to type your answers in standard text, (not bold, or italics), so when others are reading they will be able to easily distinguish your answers from the text of the template. Providing full and clear information in a way that is easy for others to understand is the best way to help us help you.

Note: Please create a new thread for your sick fish, do not post directly here for help.
These questions were all designed to help us figure out the problem with your fish, and it is crucial that you answer all of them, but please specify if you are unable to list the water parameters.

Copy the template starting below the dotted line, and stop at the top of the line at the bottom of this template.

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Tank
What is the water volume of the tank?
How long has the tank been running?
Does it have a filter?
Does it have a heater?
What is the water temperature?
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.)

Maintenance
How often do you change the water?
How much of the water do you change?
What do you use to treat your water?
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water?

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish?
What do you use to test the water?
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish?
How much do you feed your fish?
What brand of food do you feed your fish?
Do you feed frozen?
Do you feed freeze-dried foods?

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish?
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms?
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms?
Have you started any treatment for the illness?
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase?
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all?

Explain your emergency situation in detail.
(Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)

Include pictures
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If you are not aware of what the aquarium nitrogen cycle is, then please read about it here!
Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle
Important - Important Cycling Information

 

Mike could we possibly get this moved to "Freshwater Fish Disease"? It's somewhat hard to find here (I never think betta fish, I think sick fish) and I think more people may use it if it was in that sub forum.

 

Mike has already added it as an announcement with link when you go to post a new thread it’s at the top of the page

 

Try not to post your filled out template here, as it won't be seen, please post a new thread in the correct category

 

Can I also remind members about their manners when requesting this form be filled in.
Too often I see a demanded ’Fill this in‘ or worse just the link with no explanation.
A please goes a long way to help make people feel welcome & how advice is received.
As the saying goes...’you catch more bees with honey than vinegar’ so please remember your P’s & Q’s, thank you .

Edited to add: please, if a member has already been asked to fill this out then it doesn’t need repeating again & again, that is very off putting.

It‘s also not helpful to post the link asking a member to fill it in & not at least offer a little help along with it, worse still is that you post the link & never return to that thread, unfortunately we are seeing that more often lately.