If your answer is yes, than they are eating algae that grow on the rocks, pebbles or sand. It's normal for the fish to do it . They are in fact, helping clean the tank.
What causes fish to die suddenly?
Prolonged cloudy weather, drought conditions, overcrowded fish populations, excessive algal or other plant growths, and high water temperatures are the most common factors that combine to cause fish kills.
Why do aquarium fish eat rocks?
Function. Fish move gravel or rocks that will fit in their mouths in order to check for food or algae growing on the rocks, to create a spawning nest or by accidentally swimming into it .
How do you remove stones from fish?
Bring the fish's mouth to the surface once you have it aligned with the hole (a good hole will have the fish naturally pushing their mouth up against it). Now have your friend with the tweezer gently put the tweezer into the fishes mouth and try to pull the rock out. If the rock is stuck do not force it.
Why is my fish digging in the rocks?
Some fish dig into rocks, or other substrate, to create spawning pits . These pits serve as a nest for the fish, where they can lay eggs. Many cichlids are known for this behavior, including the small ram cichlid, larger earth-eater cichlid and many African cichlids.
Why do fish eat their babies?
According to some, filial cannibalism is a result of a spill-over response prompted by stress factors, which enhances the self-preservation instinct of fish . However, this isn't a satisfactory explanation because the same behavior can also be observed in fish that aren't kept in stressful conditions.
Why are my fish eating at the bottom of the tank?
Other possible causes are overfeeding and improper water quality . Sitting on the Bottom: If your fish is spending lots of time at the bottom of the tank, it may be normal behavior. Many fish, like catfish, are bottom-feeders and spend their time there. Fish also often sleep at the bottom of their tank.
Why do my fish eat food and spit them out?
Fish only require a very small amount of food, so try feeding them a little less. Some fish also spit their food out if the particles are too big, breaking them down into smaller more manageable sizes . Also, some fish like to taste their food before eating it – Bettas and Siamese Fighters are well known for this!
Will fish swallow gravel?
Gravel that was far too large to fit into their mouths when they were first put into the aquarium, was easily sucked in a few months later. Goldfish will suffocate if a piece of gravel wedges in the mouth stopping the flow of water across the gills .
Do goldfish like gravel?
Goldfish Aquarium Gravel Substrate. A goldfish aquarium doesn't need a gravel substrate but the goldfish in that goldfish aquarium surely would appreciate it . Not only is a gravel substrate aesthetically pleasing, it creates a place for beneficial nitrifying bacteria to grow.
How can you tell if your fish are hungry?
- Your fish is digging around the substrate (searching for food).
- Waiting and the top of the aquarium (for feeding time).
- Behavior changes (aggression).
- Noticeable weight/size changes.
- Slow or sluggish behavior.
How do you help a dying fish?
A dying fish is comforted greatly by having clean, warm water along with a safe and quiet environment without bright lights or loud noises . A dying fish should also be removed from any other aggressive fish in their tank and not overfed to avoid stomach pain or discomfort.
How do you know when a fish is about to die?
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.
What kills fish in a tank?
Ammonia and nitrite are just two of many common problems that you might come across while caring for an aquarium and both can harm your fish. A number of things can lead to ammonia, such as fish waste, leftover food rotting at the bottom of the tank, and dead fish not being removed promptly.
Do goldfish get stuck?
Long-finned fish;
Fish with long flowy fins will not typically stay stuck if they get caught by a tank filter's intake . But it takes just a few seconds of having a delicate fin stuck in the intake.
What does the inside of a goldfish mouth look like?
How do you treat mouth rot in goldfish?
Treatment. Antibiotics that act against gram-negative bacteria, such as kanamycin, should work well against mouth fungus . Antibacterial medications such as phenoxyethanol (at 100 mg/l, for 7 days) and nifurpirinol (also known as furanace or nitrofurazone, 0.2 mg/l, for up to 5 days) have also been used with success.
How can you tell if fish are 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.
Why do bettas rub against rocks?
If you notice scraping/rubbing, gills covered in mucus, gill damage, and your betta gasping for air, then it's highly probable he has gill flukes . If this seems like what your betta is suffering from then here's what you need to know about gill flukes.
Why is my betta fish hitting the tank?
Poor Water Conditions
If you don't have the right water conditions for your betta then he's going to become stressed. And one of the common symptoms of stress in bettas is glass surfing. As well as a build-up of chemicals the temperature in your tank should be regulated as well.
How long is a fish's pregnancy?
As examples, the female swordtail and guppy will both give birth to anywhere from 20 to 100 live young after a gestation period of four to six weeks , and mollies will produce a brood of 20 to 60 live young after a gestation of six to 10 weeks.
Do fishes sleep?
While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest . Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.
Can fish understand humans?
They don't have complex brains like human beings, but some large fish can remember and recognize the human face . Honestly, the lack of scientific studies makes room for doubt, but many experiences shared by pet owners and aquarium enthusiasts have shown the possibility of fish recognizing their owners.
What does fish gasping look like?
Do fish play?
Biologists have documented fish playing with a bottom-weighted thermometer and other objects . Play, like much of animals' psychology including emotions, motivations, perceptions and intellect, is part of their evolutionary history and not just random, meaningless behavior.
Why is my fish not moving but still alive?
The impaired buoyancy in fish is caused by a malfunction of their swim bladder . When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive.
