why is my fish gasping for air?

Answer 1

He is probably passing away. Say a prayer for him and try to make him as comfy as possible.

If you have taken him out of the water..put him back.

Answer 2

Fish need Dissolved Oxygen to breath. Just adding air bubbles to the tank doesn't put Dissolved Oxygen in the tank. They are for decoration only.

Your fish could be suffering from one of two things. Your ammonia or nitrates could be spiking causing undue stress on your fish.

Since I don't know the type of fish or size of the tank or even if the tank is cycled this could prove difficult.

Test your water. Be sure your ammonia or nitrates are not spiking. You should do a 25% water change.

Also, Dissolved Oxygen can only enter your tank by water movement. Try dropping the water level 1" and allow the filter to "Dump" water into your tank. This will allow Dissolved oxygen to enter the tank. If your fish is still gasping for air, it is a water quality problem. Get it tested and do the water change.

Answer 3

MORE INFORMATION PLEASE...
I mean, honestly, how is anyone supposed to answer your question accurately without knowing the details? Right now people are just making random guesses. Fish disease is very hard to diagnose online, it would help if you gave the following information...

What kind of fish?

What size tank?

Tankmates?

What are your readings for ammonia? Nitrites? Nitrates? (this is very important--99% of fish problems are due to poor water quality. Get a test kit or ask your fish store to test the water for you. Have them give you numbers, otherwise they'll try to tell you it's "fine". A healthy aquarium should read Ammonia-0, Nitrites-0, Nitrates-20 or less. 10 or less nitrates is even better. If your water does not check out to this, do 20% water changes each day for the next few days. Then go back to 50% each week, which is what you should be doing anyway to keep a healthy aquarium.)

How long have you had your fish?

How long has it been acting this way?

Does it have any other symptoms--spots, marks, red gills, discoloration....?

After you give this information, people might be able to tell you what is really going on.

Answer 4

LISTEN TO ME ONLY: (Whatever!!!!)
Nitrates are not harmful to fish, unless they have been exposed to high levels for LONG periods of time e.g years!! The only things you want to worry about is ammonia and NITRITE. Ammonia acts like an acid and burns away at their protective slime covering and scales. NITRITE affects the insides of the fish, eg the immune and digestive system. Nitrate is the end products and can only be removed my water changes and nitrate absorbing chemicals

Like everyone else is saying, we need more information. It could be lack of oxygen in the water, due to high temperature or bad water quality. Or poor water movement, the reason why they gasp at the surface is to agitate the surface of the water to encourage oxygen to move around

Give us more details, then we can help you!!!

Lolli x

Answer 5

Lack of oxygen in the water is the most frequent cause for this behaviour. Do you have a working aerator (bubbler)? The smaller the tank or the higher the ratio of fish to tank size, the more important this issue becomes.

Also, if you tank isn't being filtered properly or frequently enough, you could have a build up of ammonia which can cause similar symptoms. Test your water or have your aquarium supply/pet store do it for you.

Whatever the cause, I suspect that this needs to be dealt with ASAP or you will you lose your fish.

Answer 6

Hey rivedell-
It's probably because you have some chemicals in the water, or there isn't enough oxygen. For the chemicals, try using a carbon sponge in the filter, or if you already have, change it. They are supposed to be changed every 3-6 months. For oxygen, try getting some aeration tablets tyhat you just drop in the tank, or get a new plant, or some kind of machine that lets off bubbles. I've seen them, but I don't know what they're called...

Answer 7

if your fish often comes to the surface and gasps it in need of oxygen,if in a pond or tank,need to get a good filter system.fish gasping is very dangerous to the fish.if not fixed quickly,fish will die.it the fish a large coy or goldfish?

Answer 8

Dirty water,temperature too warm, too many fish in tank too small a tank. Length and width is more important than height to absorb oxygen. Need an air pump.

Answer 9

before anyone can give you an accurate answer we need to know more.

what kind of fish is it?
what size is the tank?
does it have a filter?
does it have an aerator?
do you do water changes and when what the last one?
does you fish have any other signs of sickness?

Answer 10

you need to put an air stone into your tank your fish is short of air

Answer 11

LISTEN TO ME ONLY. Do a 25% water change straight away and don't feed the fish for 1 week. Nitrates have built up in your tank through un-eaten food. The water change and 1 week w/o food will ballance the water nitrates. After this reduce the amount of food you give them and skip 1 days feed per week