The main signs of a fish struggling are gasping for air, high breathing rate, pinecone scales, swollen belly, swimming sideways or upside down, and loss of appetite. These symptoms can indicate various causes of stress, disease, or poor water quality that can affect the health and well-being of your fish. In this article, we will explain how to identify these signs, what they mean, and what you can do to help your fish.
If your fish is gasping his mouth at the surface, this is a sign of stress brought on by poor water quality, usually a lack of oxygen. Oxygen levels can drop due to overstocking, overfeeding, high temperature, or insufficient filtration and aeration. To remedy this, you should perform an immediate water change, test for ammonia and nitrite levels, and consider adding an air pump or airstone to increase oxygenation. You should also reduce the amount of food you give your fish and avoid overcrowding your tank.
High breathing rate
Another sign of a fish struggling is a high breathing rate, which means that your fish is breathing faster than normal. This can be caused by low oxygen levels, high ammonia levels, high temperature, or diseases such as gill flukes, ich, or columnaris. To address this, you should follow the same steps as for gasping for air, and also check for any signs of disease on your fish’s body or gills. If you suspect a disease, you should quarantine the affected fish and treat them with the appropriate medication.
Pinecone scales, also known as dropsy, is a condition where your fish’s scales stick out like a pinecone. This is a very serious sign of a fish struggling, as it indicates that your fish has a severe internal infection that causes fluid buildup and organ failure. Unfortunately, there is no cure for dropsy, and most fish that develop it will die. The best thing you can do is to euthanize your fish humanely to end their suffering. You should also disinfect your tank and equipment to prevent the infection from spreading to other fish.
Swollen belly
A swollen belly can have different causes, depending on the type and behavior of your fish. Some fish, such as goldfish and bettas, are prone to constipation, which can cause their belly to bloat. This can be prevented by feeding them a varied diet that includes fiber-rich foods, such as peas, spinach, or daphnia. You can also try to gently massage your fish’s belly to help them pass the blockage. Another possible cause of a swollen belly is swim bladder disease, which affects the fish’s ability to control their buoyancy. This can be caused by overfeeding, stress, or infection. To treat this, you should fast your fish for a few days, feed them a pea, and keep the water temperature stable. A third possible cause of a swollen belly is dropsy, which we already discussed above.
Swimming sideways or upside down
If your fish is swimming sideways or upside down, this can indicate a problem with their swim bladder, which helps them maintain their balance and orientation in the water. As we mentioned before, swim bladder disease can be caused by overfeeding, stress, or infection, and can be treated by fasting, feeding a pea, and keeping the water temperature stable. However, if your fish also shows signs of pinecone scales, redness, or cloudy eyes, it may be too late to save them.
If your fish is not eating, this can be a sign of stress, disease, or poor water quality. You should check your water parameters, such as pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, and make sure they are within the optimal range for your fish. You should also observe your fish for any signs of disease, such as white spots, redness, or ulcers, and treat them accordingly. You should also make sure that you are feeding your fish the right type and amount of food, and that they are not being bullied or outcompeted by other fish.
Conclusion
Knowing how to recognize the signs of a fish struggling is important for any fish keeper, as it can help you prevent, diagnose, and treat the problems that may affect your fish. By maintaining good water quality, providing a balanced diet, and monitoring your fish’s behavior and appearance, you can ensure that your fish are healthy and happy. If you notice any of the signs we discussed in this article, you should act quickly and take the necessary steps to help your fish. Remember, prevention is better than cure, so always keep an eye on your fish and their environment.
