JERIMAH WAS A BULLFROG AND A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE: TACKLING THE SLIPPERY PROBLEM OF GOLDFISH BOUYANCY
Occasionally I'll stumble across some article on the internet that doesn't really fit neatly into any definable category. It still boggles my little pea head enough however, that I file it away for a rainy day, knowing that if I found it intriguing and a bit quirky, probably someone else reading my article would think the same way.
That's how I found the article about fish wheelchairs. That's right fish wheelchairs. Back in the day, when you awakened to your goldfish belly up in the bowl, Mom and Dad would heave a long sigh and have a traumatic discussion regarding life, death and goldfish life expectancy (which is longer than anyone would think it could be, by the way!).
Enter an assistance device for goldfish with buoyancy issues.
Modern technology has come a long way in the last few years, along with our concepts of sentience, and quality of life. This has happily now made its way even to a little lowly goldfish.
The problem arises from sudden changes in temperature, food issues or even infection.
Some goldfish gurus have actually fixed the bladder issue by gently massaging the sides of the fish, encouraging it to expel fish feces, allowing the displaced bladder to go back where it belongs. This allows the fish to feed normally from the bottom of the tank.
Changing the diet may also prevent the issue in the first place, and helps fish that have recovered from the condition to resume a normal goldfish life.
For some unfortunate goldfish the bladder will not repair to its proper place, and they are left upside down, unable to feed properly, and their goldfish days are numbered unless they are flipped back the way mother nature intended, so they can eat and evacuate normally.
That's where the 'goldfish wheelchair' comes in. Some enterprising and fish-loving people have come up with several versions of a little sling that fits around the goldfish and attached to a buoyancy device, such as a ping-pong ball or a piece of cork. Once in place, the fish is upright and able to resume its little fishy life. Amazing huh?
I know many folks will laugh at this and at first think that it's a joke. But it isn't. I've included the references and even pictures. While larger animals have made the news with new assistance devices that allow them to live a normal life, I honestly hadn't ever considered that the 'upside down fish' issue had been tackled and fixed.
Just goes to show that courage and determination aren't left just to humans. Even a lowly goldfish can teach us what the power of love and courage can accomplish between very different species.
Peace. Out. Love.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3101014/Fish-wheelchair-invented-goldfish-struggling-stay-afloat.html
http://www.boredpanda.com/goldfish-wheelchair-cork-sling-float-upright/
http://mashable.com/2015/05/28/goldfish-wheelchair/#8IfPh.dXKuqj
