Why are my fish not moving after water change?

A fish that goes through thermal shock will not move a lot, lose its color quickly, and may die almost immediately after a water change. Consequently, the immune system of the fish that survive may be compromised.
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Why is my fish not moving but still alive?

The impaired buoyancy in fish is caused by a malfunction of their swim bladder. When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive.
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How long does it take for fish to adjust to water change?

Most people will tell you that it takes about 15 minutes for fish to acclimate to an aquarium. While this is partially true, it takes at least an hour for a new fish to adjust entirely to a new environment. Float the bag in the aquarium until the water reaches the same temperature as that in the aquarium.
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Why is my fish suddenly not moving?

If fish are experiencing acute stress (i.e., gasping up at the surface, lying on the bottom and not moving, or darting around the aquarium), you can be pretty sure that the water has been poisoned in some way. Maybe cleaning sprays got into the aquarium, or something released toxins into the water.
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Do water changes stress fish?

The answer is that regular water changes are important for the long-term health of your fish. The dissolved wastes in the water, which are not apparent to the naked eye, won't kill the fish outright, but as wastes gradually accumulate the stress reduces their immunity to disease.
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My 3 Tips for [Fish Death and Stress Immediately after a Water Change] ***What Can We Do?***



Why are my fish staying in one spot?

Heat. While most quality aquarium heaters are good at disbursing heat in such a way that the water stays at a constant temperature, you may find fish hanging out on one side of the tank rather than another because they prefer the temperature.
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How long does it take for fish to settle in new tank?

Your Aquarium: The First 5 Days After Setup:

You're going to be excited and anxious to fill your new aquarium with fish. Be patient! Let your aquarium "settle" for at least 48 hours before buying your first fish. This will give you time to make sure the temperature is set and make adjustments to decorations, etc.
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Can I add water conditioner while the fish are in the tank?

You may add water conditioner to the water with fish in it if you are only removing a small portion of water. If you change the water completely, you need to add a water conditioner to the water before adding the fish to avoid fish being poisoned from chlorine, chloramine, or ammonia.
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Can you change aquarium water too often?

If you dechlorinate properly and always bring water to the same temperature, there is actually no limit on how often you can change the water. Professional fish breeders may change water daily in order to remove excess food and encourage maximum growth.
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Can a stressed fish recover?

Aquarium fish can become stressed by any number of things ranging from poor water quality to disease to changes in tank parameters. In some cases, mild stress is something your aquarium fish can recover from but, in many cases, it is an early sign of something that can become a major problem.
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How do I know if my 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.
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Why is my fish just laying at the bottom?

When the water temperature inside your aquarium drops too low, your fish might lay motionless at the bottom of the tank to conserve energy. On the opposite spectrum, if the water temperature rises dangerously high, fish will stay on the bottom because that's where oxygen levels will be higher.
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How long does it take for a fish to get out of shock?

Whilst some fish will tolerate an instant change, some won't, so it is ideal to change pH slowly over several days, a rate of change of 0.5pH changes per 48 – 72 hours should be fine for most fish, however, the slower this change is, the safer it is.
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How can I save my stressed fish?

How To Calm Down Stressed Fish
  1. Right Tank Size. Make sure that your fish has enough space to be comfortable. ...
  2. Right Tank Mates. Make sure that your fish are housed with tankmates that they feel comfortable with. ...
  3. Correct Feeding. ...
  4. Add Natural Barriers. ...
  5. Temperature. ...
  6. Ph Levels. ...
  7. A Good Aquarium Filter. ...
  8. Weekly Water Changes.
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Can I cover my fish tank with a towel at night?

During winter, you should insulate your tank and all filtration by wrapping them in blankets, towels or cardboard. 1 Don't forget to cover the top of your tank, but make sure you do not cut off the oxygen supply. Resist the urge to frequently check your fish.
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How long fish survive in tap water?

Ordinary tap water is fine for filling up the aquarium as long as you let it sit for several days before adding fish (the chlorine in the tap water will kill the fish).
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When cleaning a fish tank should you remove the fish?

Before you begin.

It's best to keep your fish in the fish tank when you clean. Removing them causes unnecessary stress for your fish, and you run the risk of accidentally hurting them. It is possible to keep your fish in the tank while you clean because you don't need to remove all the water to clean the tank properly.
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How long does new tank syndrome last?

This process normally takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks.
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What is normal fish behavior?

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.
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How long should I keep lights off for new fish?

Keep aquarium lights off for at least four hours after the new arrival is introduced into the aquarium. Most invertebrates and marine plants are more sensitive than fish to salinity changes.
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How do you tell if a fish is stressed?

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.
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How do I add oxygen to my fish tank?

Ways To Increase Oxygen In A Fish Tank
  1. Pouring Water From A Height. The most simple way to increase O2 and help aerate water in a fish tank is to slowly pour water from a height. ...
  2. Large Water Changes. ...
  3. Stirring The Water Manually. ...
  4. Adding Ice Cubes & Using A Fan. ...
  5. Using A Battery-powered Air Pump.
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Do fish stay still when they sleep?

How Do Fish Sleep? In most cases, when fish sleep, they remain still, their breathing slows down and some can even be picked up in your hand.
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What kills fish in a tank?

Ammonia and nitrite are just two of many common problems that you might come across while caring for an aquarium and both can harm your fish. A number of things can lead to ammonia, such as fish waste, leftover food rotting at the bottom of the tank, and dead fish not being removed promptly.
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