my fish jumped out...now what

[hoosier]

I got a new jack dempsey today and it jumped out! i came home and saw it was under the bed. I put it in the tank and it looks like the skin has sloughed off and it's eyes are pale. I put some aquarium salt in there. Its mouth and gills are pumping right now....what are its chances???? dammit!!!

btw: it's just sitting on its side, not swimming but still pumping water through its gills

 

[rallysman]

chances depend on how long it was out. If its upright and breathing i'd say its chances are good.
Good call with the salt, that's about all you can do.

 

[dapike1979]

Try to stroke him back and forth gently! I saved my jardini that way a few years back!
Good luck!

 

[CHOMPERS]

I got a new jack dempsey today and it jumped out! ...

I got two Jack Dempsey's three days ago and during the first night one of them jumped out too!!! There must have been a bad run of them down at the factory. The weird thing about mine is that I looked all over for mine and could not find him anywhere. I am guessing that he packed his stuff and called a cab.

 

[CHOMPERS]

By the way, anyone know how far a fish can flop?

 

[CHOMPERS]

Try to stroke him back and forth gently! ...

Ummm.... we are still talking about fish, right?

 

[casperbgk]

i was told to(very gently) hold them up to a filter outlet to get water (and oxygen) running over their gills. im not sure if its the best idea but it is what i was told, lucky ive never had to use it. i know its not much help for you this time, and hopefully you wont have a next time...anyway, good luck with it all.

 

[hoosier]

I got two Jack Dempsey's three days ago and during the first night one of them jumped out too!!! There must have been a bad run of them down at the factory. The weird thing about mine is that I looked all over for mine and could not find him anywhere. I am guessing that he packed his stuff and called a cab.

oh man yea mine flopped atleast 4 feet and the fish is only 4" long! It hit the table top and fell to the ground and moved under the bed. Took me about awhile to find him!

He's a fighter!! Still breathing swimming at times to stay upright...i'll try to post pics

 

[Lil_Stinker]

I had that happen about 25 years ago. Nursed him back & he did it again. got him back in shape again... Third time was a charm, he got his wish & dried up before I found him..

 

[hoosier]

well here he is. a lot of his scales came off and the protective slime was floating all over the tank. its fins are cramped up and its eyes are no long transparent but it survived the night...my fingers are crossed