2007-05-25 08:05:25 · 9 answers · asked by Hannah j 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
There are three major reasons for this. The first is that there isn't enough dissolved oxygen in the water. This depends on water movement, so if you don't have a filter or airstone, this could be a part of what's happening.
Another cause would be poor water quality. If there's a buildup of ammonia or nitrite in the tank, this interferes with the ability of the fish to absorb and use oxygen from the water, even if it's present.
The last would be a gill parasite which is destroying the amount of gill tissure present for getting the oxygen from the water, or causing the fish to produce excess lime which is interfering with it's ability to absorb the oxygen.
If you do a 25% water change, this will help either of the first two situations. You should have a sample of your fish's water tested for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, and invest in a filter if you don't have one. If neither of the first two possibilities seems possible, I'd consider treating the fish for a parasite infection.
2007-05-26 23:19:53 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's not enough oxygen in the water. If it's just a bowl, you can change the water or pour some more water in from 6 inches up, in a small stream of water, and it will help the "airate" water, or put oxygen back in. If it's in a tank with a filter, I suggest adding an air stone. It will keep oxygen in the water for the fish to breathe. Or he's hungry.
2007-05-25 08:11:38 · answer #2 · answered by The Cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some areas the water is not very oxygenated and they cannot get enough air i know this because i have goldfish. It helps if you buy oxygenation tablets or have a filter or air pump.
2007-05-25 08:11:04 · answer #3 · answered by Inquisitive 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to popular practice, goldfish do NOT belong in bowls. It sounds as if your goldfish is short of oxygen and hopefully it's not due to the reason above! Here's an article about the care and maintenance of goldfish:
2007-05-25 08:13:28 · answer #4 · answered by wislom00 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because there isn't enough oxygen in the tank. Get an air pump and air stone and add it to the tank to increase the oxygen level.
~ZTM
2007-05-25 13:13:30 · answer #5 · answered by ZooTycoonMaster 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
gold fish will do that because mostly the bowl/tank/pond they are in goes not get enough circulation/air so they come up for air and also because it may just be searching for top water food.
2007-05-25 08:09:42 · answer #6 · answered by mom tree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the main reason behind this is your tank is running out of oxygen. It is good to keep the oxygen machine on 24 hrs . you wont face such problems in future if you do so.
2007-05-25 12:51:25 · answer #7 · answered by forestwalknight 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is called piping. When goldfish come to the surface to breath and there are a few reasons for this.
Goldfish need lots of dissolved oxygen to remain healthy which is why they make great pond fish. Dissolved oxygen only enters the water thru means of water movement against air. Filters, fountains, waterfalls waves etc. Airstones do nothing for this added oxygen.
This could be a problem. If your fish are in a tank, lower the water level by 1/2 - 1 inch and allow the filter to POUR into the tank like a water fall. This will help.
Also if you are adding salt to the tank, stop. Salt and goldfish don't mix. This will cause them to bloat and not allow them to breath properly.
Constapation will also lead to your fish "piping". (I'll tell you more about foods in a moment.)
Also poor water will also cause your fish to pipe. Be sure their tank is tested and low to no levels of ammonia and nitrates. Keep the water cooler. Cooler water holds more dissolved oxygen than warmer water.
Goldfish need a balanced diet. When choosing a fish food choose one with high protein (48% or better) and low fat (5% or less)
You can supplement their diet with things like Lettuce, mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, spinach, peas, endive, seaweed, cukes, kale, chard, broccoli, lima beans, green beans, etc. and feed aquatic plants (e.g. duckweed, azolla, salvenia, etc) or hair algae daily.
For their Carotenoids which are a family of pigments the fish can't make themselves and are obtained as part of the diet. These pigments result in red, yellow and orange colors. Fish have cells called chromataphores. Those cells convert lutein and carotenes into astaxanthin which is the red pigment.
sources include, brine shrimp, krill, spirulina, marigold flowers, paprika, sweet red peppers, yams, carrots, pumpkin
Watermellons and oranges are also good as well as proteins like chicken (chicken livers) beef (livers and parts) and pork as well as worms and bugs.
Feeding your goldfish a well balanced diet will keep them from getting bloat, swimbladder and help ward off other goldfish diseases.
2007-05-26 03:16:18 · answer #8 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 7⤋
Read this WHOLE page. Know it inside out.
2007-05-25 08:10:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋