I noticed all my goldfish swimming at the top of my tank yesterday, so I did a 40% partial water change. They swam around for a little while, then all returned to the top (both when I'm watching and peeking at them).
The water quality seems ok, I've tested pH, carbonate, hardness, nitrite, and nitrate- all are normal. Any ideas???
2007-07-11 11:42:14 · 6 answers · asked by lik_11 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Wow, you did alot of testing. You didn't mention ammonia. Ammonia is usually what causes them to swim at the top. Did you test for ammonia and just forget to type it in? When I first got a canister filter for my 75 gal, my cichlids all swam at the top. I couldn't figure it out either. Then it occured to me to put in an air pump & air stone. Within seconds, everything was back to normal. Some fish will naturally sit at the top of the tank when you are in the room. They are conditioned to come to the surface when they see you because they think they will get fed. So test for ammonia if you haven't already, add an air stone if you haven't already, and if neither of those give good results, then your fish may just be little beggars.
2007-07-11 11:51:12 · answer #1 · answered by fivespeed302 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What I have observed with my goldfish over the years is that old food causes floating. Flakes go bad in a week. Pellets go bad in a month. What I would do before risking medicating the tank would be to fast all the fish for about 3 to 4 days. If they come down off of the top of the water, then its a good indication it was the food passing through the gut. Toss out all dry food that you have been feeding. Get new fresh food. Check the package to see if its been opened or if the seal has been compromised. Many pet stores feed the fish from the food on the shelf and sell that opened food to customers. Since it goes rancid so quickly then I wouldn't buy food already opened.
Good goldfish food consists of a good seafood buffet and spirolina. If corn is on the lable don't buy it. Corn is a cheap filler and indicates cheap food and goldfish cannot digest it.
You want at least 30% protien and around 10% fat. I like HBH Super Soft foods. They are not labled specifically for goldfish, but have all the right ingredients for a healthy goldfish diet. I also like to feed my goldfish frozen brine shrimp. Add in a orange slice, peas, bioled carrot or broccolli, alvacado, romaine lettuce, leaf spinach or banana occationally, they'll love it.
You keep the diet fresh and healthy, the goldfish won't float any more.
BTW high nitrates can also cause floating. Nitrates should always be under 20 ppm.
Good luck with your fishies!
2007-07-11 12:34:59 · answer #2 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you test for ammonia as well? This is also makes them swim at the top and gasp for air. Some other symptoms include loss of their appetite, becoming lethargic, getting black markings on their fins/bodies, gills turing purple, red streaks through their body/fins, and splitting fins.
Another possiblility is the water temperature. Goldfish prefer cooler water which has more oxygen. If the water temperature is above 76o the amount of dissolved oxygen may be too low for them. Having an airstone or filter in the tank to create surface movement should prevent this, but you don't mention that you have these. If the temperature is too warm, try turining off the tank lights, and blowing a fan across the water surface. This give some additional movement for oxygen exchange, but also increases evaporation, which has a cooling effect. If the temperature is extremely high (above 90o), I would suggest using clean plastic bottles to refrigerate some water, then float the bottles in the tank to slowly lower the temperature of the water. You don't want it to change too quickly and shock the fish.
2007-07-11 11:54:14 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
because of the fact the different mentioned its definatly a loss of oxygen or intense buildup of amonia and nitrates.... how long has the tank been up? has it been cycled? if no longer then that must be a reason... the two way you need to do yet another water exchange... i could do a good 50% one, yet another element is your clear out won't be sufficiently super for the dimensions of the tank. meaning you will be able to ought to take a place in a greater clear out (i could decide for a eiham canister clear out, they artwork great) yet then you truly would be finding at spending 80bucks :( definatly do the water exchange and keep an eye fixed on them, try your water :)
2016-10-20 21:51:10 · answer #4 · answered by rajkumar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try adding a couple of airstones, to aerate the water.
2007-07-12 01:46:35 · answer #5 · answered by aquamac 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are just waiting for food they will stop when they get use to there feeding times
2007-07-11 11:49:18 · answer #6 · answered by Lady_Marie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋