i'm wondering what's wrong with my fishes. i've had them for about 4 weeks and they've been ok. just recently(friday), they started to look up and is always staying at the top. i've done partial water change 3 times already since saturday. i've added nitra-zorb, stress-zyme, and aquarium salt. am i missing anything? is there anything else that i should do? what is wrong with my fishes?
2007-03-06 03:25:59 · 12 answers · asked by dtj_m 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Not enough information. Stop doing water changes and stop adding chemicals. This may be part of the problem.
What kind of fish are they? Some fish dwell at the top. Some dwell at the bottom. Some, like danios are all over the place all the time.
2007-03-06 03:56:48 · answer #1 · answered by something_fishy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What kind of fish do you have and how big is the tank? Sometimes fish are just waiting for food. They learn quickly that when you walk by the tank, perhaps food is coming.
Please do not keep adding chemicals to your tank if you are not sure what or if there isa problem. Once you have added the salt, do not add any more. You can quikly over do the salt.
Have you had your water tested? If you have a number of fish in a small tank, your ammonia could be spiking. It doesn't sound or you didn't mention any other type of behavior so I am going to say they are just looking for food.
Have your water tested. Quit doing so many waterchanges until you have tested your water. Water changes do not Totally stress out fish but it does stress them some. Too many too quickly can lead to really stressed fish and open the doors to ich.
2007-03-06 03:37:52 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's impossible to tell for sure without more information, but here's my guess:
Did you cycle their tank before adding them? And I don't mean "let it sit." Cycling means growing a colony of live bacteria that process the ammonia your fish release in their waste so that it doesn't poison them. If you're not sure what I mean, you didn't do it, because it requires deliberate effort and chemical test kits.
Gasping for air in a new tank that wasn't cycling properly means that the chemicals have reached a point where they are permanently damaging your fish's gills and lungs. The only chance your fish have to survive is if you KEEP CHANGING THE WATER in order to lower the toxin concentration. If you do this quickly enough, you might not lose them right away. However, as long as it takes to complete the cycle, your fish will continue to suffer ammonia and nitrite poisoning. The severity of it depends on how well you keep up with daily or at least every-other-day water changes.
I hope I'm wrong. But if you haven't heard of cycling, please do some reading. Fishtanks are a pleasure to watch and take care of when you know what you're doing, but constant illnesses and deaths without any explanation are just frustrating.
www.aquahobby.com/board is a good site to visit and ask questions. There are plenty of experienced, helpful fishkeepers there who can help you out. Here is their article on fishless cycling, and one about the chemistry behind it:
2007-03-06 07:54:04 · answer #3 · answered by ceci9293 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with lack of oxygen. They will suck for air at the top. Make sure your filters are running properly and try adding a bubble feature as simple as an air stone/bubble wall and air pump. They do go to the top when looking for food (which is always), but you will be able to tell if they are excited looking for food or just trying to breathe. Good luck
2007-03-06 04:22:25 · answer #4 · answered by haair 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not getting enough oxygen. Also, 3 water changes since Sat. is not a good idea. It destroys the natural biological filter. Contact your nearest pet store, they should have an answer for you on what to do. Good luck.
2007-03-06 03:31:45 · answer #5 · answered by mom of 7 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they are being deprived of oxygen. You need movement in the water, a bubble stone or something with a pump. You may also be killing the water with all the chemicals your putting in.
2007-03-06 03:29:27 · answer #6 · answered by a_poor_misguided_soul 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because that is the way to freedom from the prison that they are in. Haven't you seen the commercial where the goldfish escapes?
2007-03-06 03:37:04 · answer #7 · answered by sity.cent 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ya i would say there is not enough oxygen in your tank
2007-03-06 04:45:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are probably waiting for FOOD.
2007-03-06 03:28:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
They are looking for that food you give them..........you have them trained......lol
2007-03-06 03:30:42 · answer #10 · answered by ~Aqua.. 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋