what should you look for as an indicator of problems in your tank?
2007-07-03 08:32:55 · 5 answers · asked by Tina N 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
Wow! That question brought out the big guns! Thanks guys! I appreciate the information. Just getting into the fish thing and I'm glad to be learning how to make my little fishie friends happy and healthy.
2007-07-03 08:54:47 · update #1
Getting a testing kit would be your best solution, and take readings before it gets to the point of stress in the tank. Cutting your feedings down to only enough food they eat entirely in a few minutes is also another good step.
Signs of ammonia problems will be, in new tanks, cloudy water indicating a bacterial bloom to oxidize it. Usually during this time, fish will hover near the surface of the water, appearing to be gasping for air. They may develope dark black spots on thier body as well. You would also want to check on your ph. The higher the ph, generally at 8.2 and up, the more toxic the ammonia will be to your fish.
JV
More then happy to help out!! Hope that helps keep things under control and your fish turn out well.
2007-07-03 08:41:50 · answer #1 · answered by I am Legend 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Signs that the fish are not behaving or looking normal. They may experience red or black markings, cloudy or swollen eyes, enflamed gills, gasping for breath, ragged fins, listlessness, and lack of appetite. Catching illness before it develops into something serious envolves carefully watching the tank and learning their behaviour when they are healthy.
An ammonia and nitrite tester should always be on hand for any time you feel something isn't right - even if you're just being paranoid it's better safe then sorry.
2007-07-03 08:46:02 · answer #2 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fish at the top of the tank looking like they're gasping for air is a big one! Also, sitting at the bottom, general lethargy, gills pumping harder than usual, loss of appetite, red streaking through the body or fins. These are about the same for nitrite poisoning as well, but but in ammonia poisoning, the gills turn a purplish color, in nitrite poisoning, they're more brownish (they should be a red-pink normally).
http://www.fish-disease.net/diseases.htm
2007-07-03 08:41:58 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
test the water. if ammonia is over .50, change 40% of the water.
signs of ammonia poisioning are slow (or un-) moving fish, and fish having a difficult time breathing.
2007-07-03 09:02:34 · answer #4 · answered by Kerri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fish go to the surface in search of oxygen.
2007-07-03 09:56:50 · answer #5 · answered by mombean1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋