Why do my pet fish start swimming like they can't control themselves shortly after i purchase them?

Question

I have a fish tank and every time i purchase fish ill do everything im suppose to do in regards to getting them home and entering them into the tank but then usually about 24 hours later they either die or start swimmin like they cant control themselves, .. upside down, sidways, backwards, but yet there still alive

Answer 1

it sounds as if something is wrong with your tank. When you let them in the tank, do you let them acclimate to the tank? or just stick them in there?

It's not real clear all of the things "you're supposed to do".

You should put the bag into the water so that the fish get used to the water temp. If you just stick them in there, they'll suffer from shock because of the temperature changes...

If you are doing this, you should check the quality of your water, your water temperature, your water filtration system, your water's pH level. If you put bleach to wash your aquarium, or some kind of soap, you probably did not rinse it all out and you have residual cleaning agent in there. Lots of reason for killing fish.

Answer 2

if its just for the first day, my super-new fish swim the crazies for the first few hours after being introduced to the Q tank (and introduced correctly, into a correctly balanced aquarium, with temperature acclimation, water acclimation, etc.) and it seems to end once they figure out exactly how big the tank is and that they cannot find a way out or to make it bigger. then they calm. even my new ghost shrimp go through this few-hour-crazies phase.
i'd still recommend checking and re-checking all water perameters, just to be sure, because it could be a sign of something bad, but if you can't find anything wrong it might just be a "where the heck am i" exploration dance.

Answer 3

it cold be many things, what type of fish where in the tank when you got it, was its tank over populated with fish like the walmart near me has there tanks full and every fish in there were going crazy and how many fish do you have in your tank, if this is the problem take it up with your local fish store and let them know what is happening, and the next time you grab a fish from them ask them to put them into the same enviroment that they are in to see if they act the same way

Answer 4

extraordinary question, however the respond is for specific. quite a few years in the past i offered a crimson %. from the community tropical fish save. He began out in a 20 gallon aquarium for some 3 hundred and sixty 5 days then graduated to a fifty 5 gallon prepare tank the place he fortunately lived for greater or less 2 greater years.yet then I moved to a smaller place interior the rustic without room for the aquarium so I released him into the small lake at the back of the living house and forgot approximately him...until at some point i replaced into swimming interior the small lake and plenty to my marvel he got here vacationing me! He replaced into contained domestically of 8 to 10 lbs *( length of a 50 cent piece whilst i offered him ) He swam around me brushing up against me and staring at me, it replaced into way kewl. different people who swim interior the lake swear something bites them, I purely chortle, i be responsive to it somewhat is my bacu searching for me.

Answer 5

Sounds like your tank has poor water quality issues. Also do you know how to acclimate them to the tank?
Read a book. This one is free:
http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/basic/index.cfm
Here's some really quick basic tips.
http://www.tetra-fish.com/aquarium/setup.aspx

Answer 6

sounds like your water parameters are way off -- try doing gravel vacuums and water changes of about 20-25% every couple of days and that should clear it up. things like ammonia and nitrates and nitrates can build up in your water and make your fish act like they are drunk.

Answer 7

u have to check your tank water... it may not be good... plus being moved from one tank to another shocks them...this shock can kill some fish....

Answer 8

I think its because they are not used to the new environment around them and it will take time to get used to it.

Answer 9

THE FISH ARE CRAZY!