Red cap Goldfish

Question
QUESTION: Hello, Yesterday I noticed that my oxygen wasn't working. One of my fish died. I have a 6" goldfish that just stays on the bottom now. He will scoot around but will not swim, dig or come up for food. I make sure food gets to him. I have picked him up and put in up top, he does move his fins but he goes right back to the bottom. All the other fish are fine. Is there anything I can do? Could his brain got damaged? Sould I just let him live on the bottom? Will he die from not swimming? Thank You

ANSWER: Hi Sharon:  I would do a partial water change... maybe 25 percent and see if he perks up.... he is probably suffering from anoxia or not enough oxygen.  It could be that he was damaged during the low oxygen spell.  If he is eating he should be fine but I would keep an eye on him and see if his social skills, etc... perk up... dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dave, I did a water change the first day. He will only eat the food that floats right by him. He just sits there. MY questions are: should I make him swim, Leave him alone, Is it unkind of me to just let him sit on the bottom and do nothing? Is the lack of oxygen fixable? Thank you, Sharon P.S. It's been three days since I noticed the oxygen wasn't working.

Answer
Hi Sharon:  It sounds like he is only functioning on the unconscious processes and that perhaps the lack of oxygen has caused problems with his higher functions.  Sometimes that is correctable depending on the severity of the damage.  In humans there are few cases of the damage reversing itself.  I would just let him be and not try to force him to swim.  If he is using just instinct to survive the stress caused by making him swim may be enough to do him in.    dave