are my fish goin to die?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
T

turtlematic44

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 28, 2011
19
0
0
east bay area, ca
all my fish choose to stay at the top of the tank for some reason, like they are trying to get some air. i dont know what is going on. i recently did a water change and added sum ph buffer. maybe i put to much? they are not pale (stressed) and look ok. they just look like zombies. they swim to the bottom or away when i put my hand in, but wen i take it out, they go right back to the top. what the hell is goin on!

if you got answers, let me know

thanks
 
Usually when they breath of the top of the water it's a sign there is low oxygen levels. If you don't already have one in the tank I would add an air stone to help with oxygen levels.
 
+1^.. even lowering the water level to the point where the water coming out of the filter(assuming you use a HOB) hits hard enough to brake the water surface pretty good will at least help until you can get some proper aeration.. what kind of fish do you have? and whats the set up looking like?
 
How many fishes do you have, and what are the tank size?
 
Need more details


  • What type of fish are they?
  • Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate levels?
  • Temperature?
  • Stock, tank size and filtration system?
  • Any modification/happenings you last made in the tank before they act this way?
 
use tap water but add some dechlorinator, make sure you drop the level of your water so your filter water is dropping into the aquarium, even add an air stone if you can. why do you need PH buffer???
 
Hang on, are you not using dechlorinator in your tap water?

Tap water contains both chlorine and chloramine. At one time only chlorine was used. Chlorine evaporates out readily and that is where the idea of using "stale" or aged water came from. Chloramine does not evaporate out, which is why municipalities use it.

Using dechlorinator is NOT an option, it is mandatory if you are not on a well.

You are describing symptoms that could easily be ionic shock (caused by the pH buffer you put in), or chlorine burns on their gills. Immediatly, go do a 50% water change and use dechlorinator in the water, dose for your entire tank's volume, not just the volume of water you removed as you already have chlorine in your tank.


Why are you adding pH buffer to your tank? Please throw that stuff out so that you never ever ever ever ever put it in your tank again. What is your tanks pH, KH and GH?
 
i have a 135 gallon with a cfs700 canister filter and no air stone. all my fish have died. i had 2 flower horns and 1 red devil and 2 managuenses. the guys at the fish store said they like the buffer. maybe i put too much. i did a 50% water change and added the prime chlorine remover and they were still like that. the one thing that sucks the most about being a fish keeper is having to start over. thanks all of you for your input!
 
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