Shimmying is a symptom rather than a single disease, and an indication that a fish no longer has proper control of its nerves and muscles.
It occurs when fish are under severe stress, most often because of environmental problems
. The classic scenario is when mollies are kept in soft or acidic water conditions.
Can a fish survive on its own?
To answer the question:
Yes, goldfish can live alone
. In fact, many goldfish can live long, healthy, happy lives all on their own. Just remember, though, not all goldfish will be happy on their own, and some would prefer the company of other tank mates.
Why is my fish thrashing around?
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.
Do fishes fart?
Biologists have linked a mysterious, underwater farting sound to bubbles coming out of a herring's anus. No fish had been known to emit sound from its anus nor to be capable of producing such a high-pitched noise.
Why are fish staying at bottom of 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.
How do you treat fish shimmy?
If your livebearer is shimmying,
provide the optimal living conditions with higher pH levels from 7.0 to 8.0, warmer temperatures between 76° and 80°F, and increased mineral content
. If you have soft water, minerals can be easily added with supplements such crushed coral, Wonder Shell, and Seachem Equilibrium.
How do you calm a stressed fish?
Trying a stress coat product
, which can help remove chlorine, neutralize chloramines and detoxify heavy metals to set up optimal water conditions. It can also help heal skin wounds and torn fins. Reducing overcrowding by moving additional fish to a new tank, or getting a larger aquarium.
How do you know your fish is 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.
Can fishes feel pain?
CONCLUSION. A significant body of scientific evidence suggests that
yes, fish can feel pain
. Their complex nervous systems, as well as how they behave when injured, challenge long-held beliefs that fish can be treated without any real regard for their welfare.
Why do fish get dropsy?
Dropsy is a condition in fish caused by the
buildup of fluid inside the body cavity or tissues
. As a symptom rather than a disease in its own right, it can indicate a number of underlying diseases, including bacterial infections, parasitic infections, or liver dysfunction.
How do I know if my fish is happy?
- Swim actively throughout the entire tank, not just hanging out or laying at the bottom, floating near the top or hiding behind plants and ornaments.
- Eat regularly and swim to the surface quickly at feeding time.
Can fish go 3 days without food?
A healthy, grown-up aquarium fish can go from 3 days to 1 whole week, without eating any food
. Some fish species can even live for more than 2 weeks without eating. Whether in nature or in an aquarium – an adult fish has sufficient body mass and fat reserves to skip a couple of meals once in a while.
Do fish mind being in tanks?
Fish are intelligent, sensitive animals who think and feel pain the same way that cats and dogs do
. In fact, scientists at Oxford University have discovered that some fish can learn faster than dogs. Fish crave stimulation from other fish and from their environment.
How long can you leave a fish alone?
Depending on the type of fish, how many fish you own and the size of the tank, you can leave your pet fish alone for
two to seven days
.
Can you drown a fish?
Yes, fish can ‘drown'
–for lack of a better word. Though, it is better to think of it as a form of suffocation where oxygen levels are too low or the fish isn't able to properly pull oxygen from the water for one reason or another.
Does fish get thirsty?
They don't ever get thirsty
. Marine fish are what's called hypertonic to the seawater. So essentially, they lose water through their gills to the seawater. The seawater is saltier than their blood.
Does fish have tongue?
Fish tongues however do not resemble the muscular tongues of humans.
The tongue of a fish is formed from a fold in the floor of the mouth
. In some species of bony fishes the tongue has teeth which help to hold prey items. The name of one genus of argentinid fish, Glossanodon, literally means ‘tongue teeth'.
Why is my fish laying on the ground?
Water temperature is either too low or too high
When the water temperature inside your aquarium drops too low, your fish might lay motionless at the bottom of the tank to conserve energy.
Why does my fish stay in one corner?
The Temperature Is Too High Or Low
If the temperature is too high or too low, then your goldfish may move to one of the bottom corners of the tank. Up to a certain point, warm water rises, so your goldfish may swim to one of the bottom corners to where it's cooler.
Why are my fish rubbing on things?
Aquarium fish do this by rubbing their bodies against objects in the aquarium. These objects can include decoration pieces, plants, rocks, and other equipment like the filter.
Your fish may be doing this because they're stressed or uncomfortable
. This can be due to an illness or poor water conditions.
Why is my cichlid fish shaking?
Most cichlid movements are either threats or flirting. Telling the difference between the two is fairly difficult.
Shimmying or shaking of the fins and tail are usually signs of flirtation
. I've also seen circular chasing and nipping or kissing (where the two fish grab each other's mouths) prior to mating.
How do you treat dropsy in Molly?
Treatment. Dropsy is not easily cured. Treatment is geared toward correcting the underlying problem and providing supportive care to the sick fish.
A broad spectrum antibiotic specifically formulated for gram-negative bacteria is recommended, like Mardel Maracyn® 2
.
Can salt cure fish fungus?
This is the reason that body fungus infections are not seen on saltwater fish.
Adding 1 tablespoon of noniodized rock salt to each gallon of water is helpful in effecting a cure
. In fact, salt might be all that is needed in early cases. Salt can also be used in combination with malachite green.
How can I make my fish happy?
- Making Sure Your Fish Is Adapting. …
- Do It For More Than Decor. …
- Re-create A Natural Environment. …
- Keep The Water Conditioned. …
- Keep The Aquarium Clean! …
- Keep The Tank The Right Temperature. …
- Remove Excess Algae. …
- Introducing New Fish To The Aquarium.
How do you make a fish not depressed?
To prevent your fish from feeling blue, it's important to
add plants to nibble on and cages to swim through into their tanks
. Not only will this make their environment more aesthetically pleasing, it will provide them with plenty of entertainment, thus decreasing stress and even promoting brain growth.
Do fish like music?
If you've ever thought that your goldfish can't hear or won't respond to the music that you blast in your room, it's time to think again. Though few people know this,
all fish respond to sound
, and several recent studies have shown that fish can even tell the difference between genres of music and composers.
