What are the telltale signs of stress in freshwater fish? I just put two fish in my 2.5gallon tank which i added some chemicals to remove the chlorine, they have been in the tank for about 8 hours now and they seem really jumpy.
I noticed before when i introduced my clown fish into a new tank (immediatly after i filled it with water) one seemed to be floating towards the surface gasping for air. I also noticed the colour of the fish getting darker and less vibrant. what does this mean?
2007-05-30 04:12:29 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
BTW the fish are female swordtails..
2007-05-30 04:12:54 · update #1
Those are all signs of stress. There are too many fish in that tiny tank for one thing. A fish will always stress when moved from a larger home to a smaller one and into brand new water conditions. To help them out avoid rushing up to the tank, or looking in the tank, or turning the lights on or off suddenly. Anything that is 'spooking' them is causing stress. Move slowly around the tank. You may have to drop the food in and leave so they will settle down and eat. They will get into a routine and get comfortable soon. In the mean time start saving some money for a larger home like a 20 gallon tank they are going to need it soon. Those tiny tanks are really only suitable for one small fish like a betta.
2007-05-30 04:49:02 · answer #1 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
All of the things you mention are signs of stress. The hard part is figuring out the source of the stress. With a new tank ammonia can become a problem quite quickly and cause stress, but not within the fish 8 hours. It is normal for fish to be stressed when you move them where that is a new tank or not any fish being moved is also being stressed so much of what you are seeing is probably due to the move.
If this tank have just been set up, 2 fish is quite a load in a 2.5 gallon tank. You need to have an ammonia test kit and check it every day for the next several weeks. Be ready to change as much as half the water or more every day to keep the ammonia down until the tank cycles. If you have a tank that has been running for quite a while, rinse out the filter into you new tank to jump start the cycle and that will help a lot in keeping your fish alive.
MM
2007-05-30 11:21:35 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
There are many signs of stress from hiding, running the glass, floating, not eating, bumping into the glass etc.
You have a clown fish in a fresh water tank? as well as swordtails? It sounds to me like ammonia poisoning. Have you tested your water? and how long was the tank up and running before you put your fish into the water? Did you add the dechlor when you added the fish or when you added the water? the dechlor /conditioner should be added to the new water and then to the tank. how many fish total do you have in the tank now? You are pretty much maxed out at 3 fish here so if there are more fish chances are your biofilter cannot handle the load. Also, if you suspect ammonia or nitrite levels of being high, do a 30-50% water change and drop the water level 1/2 inch in the tank to allow for more dissolved oxygen. The fish are getting darker due to the ammonia poisoning. Sometimes they will remain that color and sometimes certain fish will change back. Do a water change.
Watch how much you are feeding them as well.
2007-05-30 15:47:28 · answer #3 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Gasping for air can mean there isn't enough oxygen in the water
2007-05-30 11:19:11 · answer #4 · answered by reenie162000 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋