My RBPs are gasping for air =(

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Syxx676

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 25, 2009
113
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Ohio
first time... they're about 4-5" long now, just did a new water change earlier today. all of the sudden they're going to the top for air.

one thing... i forgot to replug in my powerhead until just now (55 gallon, 3 RBPs). i made sure to condition the new tap water, add aquarium salt, fed well. maybe it made a difference, and that's the reason they're goin to the top for air.

very unusual to me though. normally, any time i go close to the tank, they scatter. not this time, at all. i'm pretty much banging on the glass and they don't care. could it be that they're finally used to me? or, do i need to fix something? i think i need to do something though. temps are a little high though... could that be it? i think i'm gonna go get the water tested asap.

all i can say is, just did a water change and temps are too high... just very unusual behavior right now... they keep going to the top... =(
 
Sounds like ammonia. Without testing the water it's hard to tell. What are your temps? What kind of filtration are you using?
 
fluval 404 and a powerhead... i've cleaned out the fluval filters once, about 2 months ago. i think it's something recent. i did a water change a week ago. they ate my blue crayfish recently, and i just did a new water change. they were breathing heavy since then... now they're gasping for air.
 
Wow, it's hard to say but provided you've done regular water changes it sounds good.

Only thing aside from ammonia I can think of is you didn't use enough conditioner. It's hard to say without testing the water. I'd drop some more de-chlorinate the water again.
 
i'm gonna test the water tomorrow, thanks though. this is very irregular for my RBPs. out of nowhere really...
 
Is it possible some sort of chemical found it's way into your tank such as an air freshener or something?
 
that is possible actually... i had a party just last night. i did use air freshener, but also put a black light in my fish tank fixture. but, i turned it upwards, away from the aquarium.
 
Please tell me the black light was NOT plugged in! Sounds like room freshener found it's way into your tank.
I'd do a 80% or so water change ASAP.
 
i'm sure the black light was fine. pointed away from the fish. i hardly used any air freshener, it's just possible that it could have gotten in.
 
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