the fish does it constantly. It reminds me of how animals in a zoo pace back and forth in their cages. Is this the same reason my fish does this? (I also have a loach that has started doing this). I have several other fish, none of the others have this behavior.
2007-12-27 01:27:58 · 8 answers · asked by chancey987 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
It is probably looking for something to eat along the tank. i used to have one and it did that too
2007-12-27 01:31:48 · answer #1 · answered by run4him 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is normal for them to do this occasionally, but not continually. If it's once in a while or only for a short time, it can be a breeding behavior. If it's constant, the water quality is probably bad and, as mentioned, it's "looking for the exit." You do need to check the water for nitrites and ammonia, even when the fish aren't acting distressed. If it's not ammonia or nitrites, then the tank is probably too small, which is still a water quality, as well as a space issue. All catfish need to be in at least 30 gallons in order to have enough room and enough dissolved oxygen in the water.
It is helpful when asking a question to be more specific about the species. I think most of us are assuming you mean a corydoras, or cory cat, but it could be a lot of other species and still be a catfish. If it is a cory, they are schooling fish and you can't keep a healthy school in less than 30 and they do not thrive without a school of the same species of cory. Loaches are also sensitive to water and need at least 30 gallons. Many of them are also schooling fish. Again, what type of loach is important in getting a good answer.
2007-12-27 03:23:10 · answer #2 · answered by aqua 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like they're looking for algae. A lot of catfish and plecs are algae eaters or vegetarian. If there's no algae in the tank, they'll be starving. Encourage algal growth. Place a rock in a bowl of tank water and put the bowl on the window sill. After a few days, algae will start to grow on the rocks. Once the rock is covered, put it in the tank and place a second rock in the bowl of water. Once the first rock is completely devoid of algae, put the 2nd rock in the tank and put the first one back in the bowl of water . . . and so on. Also get some algae wafers and sinking catfish pellets.
2007-12-27 01:38:23 · answer #3 · answered by Lindsay 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i think of your fish is a Plecostomus, and no...swimming the different way up isn't ordinary. If he's sucking on some thing & he's the different way up, this is surprisingly ordinary. yet, swimming the different way up feels like he's disoriented. Do you spot something unusual on his dermis?
2016-12-11 13:48:04 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think catfish clean the tank meaning they eat the algae & stuff off the tank. Nothing to worry about, he is just doing his job.
2007-12-27 01:33:27 · answer #5 · answered by Pogo peeps 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If your water quality is poor,it's looking for the exit. Have you checked ammonia,or Nitrites. When was the last time you cleaned the gravel (siphon)? High Nitrates may not be fatal,but they're not good for fish.
2007-12-27 01:38:43 · answer #6 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
yep,it's normal....they do this alot more in the evening(when lights out)they are just swimming(socialising)but they also scrape up&down the sides while doing this and in effect get small particles/algae ect to eat,so back to theit one love food..all about food.Grazing..searching for algea(what type is it?)do't worry
Happy holidays..
2007-12-27 02:46:28 · answer #7 · answered by fighterfish 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
he probably found that part dirty because he cleans the tank..
2007-12-27 01:36:35 · answer #8 · answered by jrodriguez704 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋