My fish are not swimming about the tank, just sitting at the bottom and they are not eating. One of them had swimbladder and it was treated and was fine after that but for the past 5 days have just sat there. Do you think they are suffering? What should i do???
2007-11-02 03:36:22 · 9 answers · asked by Sharon 2 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
When is the last time you did a water change? Ammonia poisoning is a very common cause of fish just "laying about." Do a 30% water change (be sure to treat, i.e., dechlorinate, your replacement water) and if the fish perk up, you'll know this was the cause. Even if it doesn't work, it certainly can't hurt them any.
If your fish perk up, invest in a good water testing kit that will tell you how much ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates your water contains. You should try to find a water-change schedule that keeps your ammonia and nitrite levels at zero, and your nitrate levels at less than 20 ppm. There is a "fish geek" saying: take care of the water, and the fish will take care of themselves.
Hope this helps.
2007-11-02 03:48:36 · answer #1 · answered by Poopy 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Check the ammonia and Nitrite levels,it's possible that the "treatment" for swim bladder disease killed the bacteria colonies and you will need to re-cycle the system. Other things that could cause this behavior would be a temperature drop,did the heater get unplugged? Or have you done a recent water change? Since all of your fish are skulking,it's probably a system wide problem,and that usually means bad water.
First test for ammonia trouble and check the temp. Then begin doing small (20%) water changes. After 3 or 4 small water changes(one per day) add some charcoal to the filter.(This should remove any lasting affects of the medication.) The charcoal should ony remain in the filter for 2 or 3 weeks.
Try this stuff first,and good luck.
2007-11-02 10:51:20 · answer #2 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't just write the fish off! There really isn't enough info for anyone to draw a specific conclusion. If you just finished a treatment cycle for the swim bladder problem, the treatment chemicals could possibly have stressed the fish. Most commonly, problems of this nature wind up being caused by problems with the water chemistry. Test your water to make sure all parameters are normal. If the fish seem to be "gasping", struggling to breathe, then they have a serious problem. If your water chemistry is ok, then look for other reasons for their changed behavior.
2007-11-02 10:48:49 · answer #3 · answered by brddg1974 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the type of fish. There may be nothing wrong. It may be poor water quality. Or a lot of other things.
2007-11-02 13:51:47 · answer #4 · answered by TopPotts 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
change some of the water 50% i have never heard of a swim bladder being repaired that is what keeps them upright when it goes they are usually belly up also check the water temperature if its cold they are less active also you may need a water conditioner
2007-11-02 10:50:28 · answer #5 · answered by golden 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you first should tell us your parameters, Ammonia Nitrites Nitrates and so on. How long have you had the tank up and running for? Once you give us more info it will be much easier to answer your question.
2007-11-02 10:45:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like an amonia problem! Ring your local pet shop fir info. Good luck.
2007-11-02 14:24:00 · answer #7 · answered by jords-will-solve-it 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Emma is right.
That's what happened to my goldfish. Then it died.
Sorry.
2007-11-02 10:43:02 · answer #8 · answered by cosmicmoon 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It sounds like its time for it too die - sorry!
2007-11-02 10:39:20 · answer #9 · answered by emleigh 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋