what are the symptoms of a fish dieing?

Question

i dont know but i cleaned my tank then 2 hours after my fish looked like they were going to die

Answer 1

Are they saltwater or freshwater? What made them look like they would die? Fish are easily stressed, and sometimes a tank cleaning could do just that. Don't turn their light on and off alot or change anything else to do with them for awhile. The symptoms vary - sometimes the fish will lose lots of color, like appear to be a very pale version of their normal colors; sometimes a fish which is normally somewhat active will just sit there in the same place in the water, or vice versa.

Answer 2

Well, if this just happened after cleaning, did you...

1) add dechlorinator to the new water?

2) match the temperature of the new wate to what was in the tank already?

3) change too much water (you should only change about 25% at each cleaning)?

4) wait too long between cleanings (if the fish were used to the old nasty water, a sudden change, even for the good, can shock them)?

5) use water from a different source than usual (it could mean a different pH, hardness, salinity, etc. that would stress them)?

6) use cleaning materials (sponges, brushes) that may have been used for something else and have soap, bleach, etc. in them?

See if you can figure out what's different than what was usually done and you'll be able to figure out what to do for them.

If they look really bad and you still don't have any idea of what the cause might be, do a 25-35% water change and make sure to get the temperature as close as possible andadd dechlorinator to the water and see if this helps (no guarantees, but if it's something in the wate they're reacting to, another change may remove some of it - if they look better, try changing the same amount of water again water - you'll be diluting whatever it was they didn't like. One person wrote a question similar to yours a while back and found out it was caused by her sister spraying perfume near the tank - some of the spray went in the water - so you might want to interview your family.

Good luck!

Answer 3

This can be a typical response.

When you cleaned it, did you change out the water AND the filter medium? If so, what you have done is remove the beneficial bacteria that they require to process air from the water. Their lack of action is due to lower oxygen levels in the water.

Next time, change one OR the other, but not both at once. Alternate between the 2 every two weeks. Also, get yourself a home check kit for ammonia, nitrates, and other imbalances (available at any pet care store). Costs about $20, but worth every penny. Use it before you do your cleaning, and then again about 6 hours after doing it. You would be amazed at the changes that occur.

Answer 4

Well, if they look as though their bretahing is labored that's a bad sign. Also, floating up usually but not always signifies oncoming death. Did you put them in a plastic ba with some of the old water when you cleaned the tank? You want to do that and leave the bag floatin for a bit to even the temp like when you buy them.

Answer 5

Fish don't like it when you mess with their tank. When things are different they tend to freak out. Just don't move around too fast and try not to touch them.

Answer 6

you should not use water straight from the tap. you should at least leave for 24-48hour before transfering the water into the tank.. rain water is probably better. I have this problem before too.

Answer 7

generally, the float on top of the water belly up and stink.

Answer 8

They start to look real slugish. Don't move alot, nor move their fins as much as normal. Also, they go to the surface and suck air off the top of the water.

Answer 9

Symptoms of death: moitionless, no heartbeat, no brain activity, breakdown of bodily mass....etc.

Answer 10

depression to the owner.