Why Does My Fantail Fish Keep Floating Upwards?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Swim bladder disease

Why is my fish pointing upwards?

The reasons behind that can be the

pressure from a swollen belly

, too much air swallowed, injury, or a bacterial infection. Sometimes after eating too much fish may gulp some air on purpose, to regulate its buoyancy. To cure your fish you need to investigate the reason behind its bizarre behavior.

Why is my fantail goldfish floating?

If your is swimming sideways or upside-down, it

may have swim bladder disorder

. Constipation, enlarged organs, or infection can all cause the swim bladder to stop functioning properly. With proper care, you may be able to treat this disease and get your goldfish back to good health.

Why does my fish sit vertically?

A fish swimming vertically, nose-down, can mean one of two things. A few species of fish do this as

part of their normal behavior

. However, more often than not, a fish swimming at odd angles indicates issues with the swim bladder. Swim bladder problems have a host of causes.

Why are my fish not swimming around?

One common cause is

improper water temperature

. If your fish's water is too hot or too cold, they will be very inactive. … If you think this is the case, you should quarantine the fish. A common disease that would cause this behavior is a swim bladder infection, which is a result of a poor diet or water quality.

Is my fish dying?

Loss

of

appetite. Weakness or listlessness. Loss of balance or buoyancy control, floating upside down, or ‘sitting' on the tank floor (most fish are normally only slightly negatively-buoyant and it takes little effort to maintain position in the water column) Erratic/spiral swimming or shimmying.

Why is my fish facing down?

Symptoms of Swim Bladder Disorder

Fish suffering from swim bladder disorder exhibit a variety of symptoms that primarily involve

buoyancy

,1 including sinking to the bottom or floating at the top of the tank, floating upside down or on their sides, or struggling to maintain a normal position.

How do I increase oxygen in my fish tank?

The best way to increase oxygen is to

increase the surface area of the aquarium

. Increase Surface agitation or water movement on the surface. This allows more oxygen to dissolve and more carbon dioxide to escape. You can also add a source of fresh oxygen by installing an air pump.

Can swim bladder go away?

Depending on the cause, swim

bladder disorders may be temporary or permanent

. If your fish has a permanent swim bladder disorder, they can still live a full and happy life with some lifestyle modifications.

Why is my fantail goldfish swimming upside down?

A upside-down swimming is a common problem in goldfish and the cause is

a disorder of the swim bladder

. This specialised organ enables a fish to modify its buoyancy so it can dive or surface according to its needs. Fat-bodied goldfish are at risk because their swim bladder can become compressed.

How do you calm a stressed fish?

Ways to Reduce Fish Stress

Change water frequently to keep nitrate and ammonia levels low. Try

adding water conditioners like API Stress Coat Aquarium Water Conditioner

, which is formulated to reduce fish stress by 40% by removing dangerous toxins.

How can you tell if a fish is in shock?

Some fish succumb to pH shock immediately. Others may exhibit symptoms including

thrashing, darting, gasping, swimming near the water's surface and trying to jump out of the tank

. Such symptoms are the same as those that indicate toxins in the water — either cause is serious.

How do I know if my fish tank is happy?

  1. They swim back and forth freely and energetically around the tank.
  2. Quite like humans, happy fish might have a vibrant glow to their skin. …
  3. They do not appear fearful of the other fish in the tank. …
  4. They are breathing normally.

Do fish need lights off at night?


Aquarium fish do not need light

and it is best that you turn it off during the night. Leaving the light on can cause stress to fish as they need a period of darkness to sleep. Too much light will cause algae to rapidly grow and make your tank look dirty. So the short answer is no, do not leave your lights on.

How do you tell if a goldfish is stressed?

Strange Swimming: When fish are stressed, they often develop odd swimming patterns. If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank,

rubbing himself on gravel or rocks

, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress.

What are the signs that your goldfish is dying?

  • White spots on their fins.
  • Not eating their food.
  • Swimming upside down or seeming disorientated or less movement.
  • Continuously going to the surface for air.
  • Bloating.
  • Erratically energetic.

How do you save a dying goldfish?

Place the

goldfish in a container filled with cool water from his tank

. The cool water contains oxygen and will help to revive your fish. Some experts also suggest placing your goldfish right back into the water in his tank, even if he appears dried out.

How do I check the oxygen level in my fish tank?

The best way to test the amount of dissolved oxygen in your aquarium's water is with

a portable dissolved oxygen meter

. After calibrating the meter, you can place a probe into the tank water, and read the results on the digital display.

How do I know if my fish tank has enough oxygen?

The most telling sign that your fish need more oxygen is

if you see them gasping at the surface — they will also tend to hang out back by the filter output

. This area of your tank tends to possess the highest oxygen concentration as it is near the most disturbed surface.

Why do goldfish go to the top of the tank?

A fish may linger near the surface because

he's trying to breathe more easily

. Remember, fish breathe dissolved oxygen—not oxygen that is already combined in the H2O molecule. Naturally, these dissolved oxygen levels tend to be higher near the surface, where interaction between air and water takes place.

How do you save a dying fish?

There are two types of salt that can be beneficial to fish –

Epsom salt and Aquarium salt

. Both the salts remove wastes and toxins from the fish body and help it to heal. You can add 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon of water. Then, keep your fish in salt water for 2 to 3 minutes.

How do you cure swim bladder disease at home?

Remedies. A remedy, which can work within hours, perhaps by countering constipation, is to

feed green pea to affected fish

. Fish surgeons can also adjust the buoyancy of the fish by placing a stone in the swim bladder or performing a partial removal of the bladder.

Can you save a fish that is swimming upside down?

Fortunately,

swim bladder problems

can usually be cured fairly easily, as long as you spot them early enough. If you see your fish swimming upside or on its side, act quickly! There are several good swim bladder treatments available.

Is my goldfish happy?

Signs of a Happy Goldfish

Your goldfish should be

swimming constantly

and not floating, bobbing or sinking. They should eat regularly and eliminate their waste frequently. Provide some variety in your fish's diet. Pellets everyday can become boring.

How do you play with pet fish?

  1. Place a ping pong ball in the aquarium. …
  2. Use a mirror to watch your betta flare. …
  3. Introduce floating decorations. …
  4. Draw on the fish tank with dry erase markers. …
  5. Stick Post-its or other pieces of paper on the tank.

How often should I change my aquarium water?

You should do a

25% water change every two to four weeks

. There is no reason to remove the fish during the water change. Make sure you stir the gravel or use a gravel cleaner during the water change. When adding water back in to the aquarium, use Tetra AquaSafe® to remove the chlorine and chloramine.

Are water changes stressful for fish?

Did the water change kill the fish? … When a sudden, large water change occurs, it causes such a drastic shift in the makeup of the water that the fish often cannot tolerate it and they die. 2 Those that

do not die immediately are stressed

and may succumb to disease over the next few weeks or months.

Does music bother fish?


Most fish can be stressed by loud boomy music

. It's like tapping on glass. High frequency sounds are not the worry and never penetrate the tank but bass music frequencies can slam through almost anything. If you have a sub woofer or large full range speakers then turn the sub woofer off and turn down your bass.

What color light is best for fish?

Tropical, or Colour-Lite bulbs, are designed for fish viewing. These

accent red and blue hues

, and are ideal for making your fish stand out better. They will give a much brighter visual, and mean that you see your fish more clearly and get the best out of them.

How can I make my fish happy?

  1. Making Sure Your Fish Is Adapting. …
  2. Do It For More Than Decor. …
  3. Re-create A Natural Environment. …
  4. Keep The Water Conditioned. …
  5. Keep The Aquarium Clean! …
  6. Keep The Tank The Right Temperature. …
  7. Remove Excess Algae. …
  8. Introducing New Fish To The Aquarium.

How do fish act when they are dying?


Your fish will not be acting like

they normally do. They may seem distressed, have no appetite, hide, have nicked fins or sores. If your fish is near the surface gasping for breath, this means it's probably not getting enough oxygen. This can happen due to poor water circulation, gill damage, or toxins in the water.

Do fish like light or dark?


Fish need darkness at night

. Leaving the lights on all the time will stress the fish. It will probably also give you excessive algae growth. the other problem is too much light causes growth of algae.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.