Why Is My Fish Not Swimming As Much?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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One common cause is

improper water temperature

. If your fish’s water is too hot or too cold, they will be very inactive. Check your heater and verify that your aquarium is at the right level. Other possible causes are overfeeding and improper water quality.

Why are my fish just staying still?

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.

Why is my fish not swimming?


Buoyancy problems are caused by a wide variety of disorders

. Some of these include systemic disease (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, cancer), starvation, general weakness, eroded fins and broken fins, swim bladder diseases, and excessive air in the gastrointestinal tract or abdominal cavity.

How can you tell if a fish is sad?


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. Talk to your veterinarian about treatment and look into what may be causing the stress and alleviating it.

Why is my fish hiding and not moving?

Environmental Changes –

Anything that alters a fish’s environment can spook the fish into hiding

. This can include sudden water changes, temperature shifts, pH changes or chemical imbalances. As the tank stabilizes at the optimum environmental conditions, the fish should lose their shyness and stop hiding as much.

Why is my fish on the bottom of the tank not moving?


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.

What’s wrong with my fish?


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 are my fish hanging around the heater?

It is likely that

the heater is not performing efficiently to warm the entire aquarium evenly

. The water temperature should be 24-28 degrees Celsius. One way of rectifying the issue is to ensure good water circulation around the heater.

Why does my fish stay in the corner?

Just like sickness, they stay in the corner

because they feel vulnerable

. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do for this one except wait for it to pass. Lastly, they may be doing it because there aren’t enough hiding places in the tank—all fish like lots of hiding places where they can feel safe and rest.

How do you help a struggle fish?


Place Your Fish in Suitable Water

Take your fish in your hands and place it in cool water from the fish tank. The oxygen in the water will help the fish breath and thus, revive it. More often than not, if you place the fish back in its own fishbowl, the water will fill life back into your weakfish.

How do you help 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.

Do fish get bored in tanks?

Fish-keepers sometimes see their pets ‘glass surfing’ – swimming repeatedly up and down the glass of the tank. This could be the aquatic equivalent of the pacing of a captive tiger that’s bored from a lack of stimulation. But

the fish could also be stressed from an overcrowded or unfamiliar tank.

How do 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 I know my fish is happy?

  1. 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.
  2. Eat regularly and swim to the surface quickly at feeding time.

What does ick look like on a fish?

Ich is one of the most common diseases encountered in tropical-fish aquariums. Its signs include the presence of

small white spots resembling a sprinkle of salt grains on the body and gills

, frequent scraping of the body against objects in the environment, loss of appetite, and abnormal hiding behaviour.

Is my fish suffering?

The fish have to maintain a healthy pigmentation, but this can be darkened or turn whitish.

Sometimes, because of the presence of fungi, he may end up suffering from the disease of white spots

, which also require your attention if you do not want it to spread throughout the aquarium.

How do you identify a fish disease?

Obvious physical signs, such as

spots, lumps, missing scales or frayed fins

are the easiest signs of sick fish. More subtle behavioral signs, such as incorrect buoyancy, listing, decreased appetite or increased respiratory effort take more experience to spot.

Why are my aquarium fish hiding?

Why are the fish dying in my aquarium?


Poor water conditions

Whenever the tank has bad water or water not suitable for the fish’s health, it leads to their death. Poor water condition is a big reason why most of the fish die in a fish tank. Therefore, if you are an aquarist, the priority should always be to maintain the water quality.

Why is my fish by the filter?


If your filter’s water intake is dirty or obstructed

, the way in which it sucks in water can change. That’s when accidents can happen. Fish will get trapped much easier by a dirty filter than by a clean, optimally functioning one.

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.