in the very corner of my tank? up to the top.. down to the bottom... et cetera.. et cetera.. they look really happy and playful.. are they just playing with their reflections?
2007-02-28 17:16:55 · 9 answers · asked by midi_junkie 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
They are not playing. They are trying to escape bad water conditions in the tank. This is the first sign of ammonia poisoning. A 10 gallon tank is very small. It will safely accommodate only only 3 swordtails. Your tanks is overstocked.
You should increase water changes under these conditions to dilute nitrate build up. Change 20% of the water at least twice a week until you can upgrade to a larger tank, preferable a 30 gallon. But even a 20 gallon would be much better.
2007-03-01 00:38:11 · answer #1 · answered by .... . .-.. .-.. --- 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are probably not happy. The only fish I see doing this is Danios who are highly active and really don't belong in a 10 or 20 high. At least in a 20 long or 29 so the have room to swim and this behavior stops for them. Other fish don't seem to have this issue.
I sense overcrowding and stress. You can't have just one swordtail, they need to school in groups of 4+. Your tank doesn't have the ability to support that many swordtails.
I'd suggest better cleaning (20% weekly instead of bi-weekly) and a larger filter designed for a 20-30 gallon tank, which you can still use once you move into a larger tank if you so choose.
2007-03-01 01:39:08 · answer #2 · answered by something_fishy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some fish like room to "spread their wings," or fins should we say. Some fish get restless in small spaces. They need lot of room to move. But, when they don't, they do the best with what they have and swim as fast and hard as they can in the space provided. And yes, fish are playing when they do this too. So, as long as they look healthy, no apparent diseases, happy, eating, and your water quality is good, that's what's most important.
2007-02-28 18:38:26 · answer #3 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
My only reference to this behaviour is with cory's. Corys actually can breath air, so they do this dart up and down to go get a bubble of air... weird, no? But I understand is totally normal.
I don't know if swordtails or guramis behave similarly.
2007-03-02 09:55:07 · answer #4 · answered by slaponte 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
from my experience this is caused by a lack of oxygen, i have had fish do this too n within a day or two they have died. replace air stones.
2007-02-28 21:17:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
my fish always do that too.... all of them.
i think it's them trying to explore everything. they might be trying to see if the wall is just blocking the way to somewhere else.
i think they're just trying to figure out their limits
2007-02-28 17:36:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
That is a breeding activity.
2007-02-28 17:49:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You answered your own question, they are HAPPY with their environment.
2007-03-02 07:57:07 · answer #8 · answered by xxx 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
maybe there skitzo's?
2007-03-01 00:10:20 · answer #9 · answered by J Savage 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋