Why do my fish rub against rocks?

Fish will often rub on rocks to clean themselves or simply to scratch an itch. It is often referred to as flashing and is very natural behavior, so don't be alarmed. If you notice your fish rubbing on rocks more frequently, your fish may have parasites or is stressed because of high ammonia levels in your tank.
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Why are my fish rubbing against things?

Fish scratch themselves against things because they're experiencing an irritating sensation. A poorly cycled aquarium may cause your fish to experience this sensation. This is more likely to happen when you change the water in the aquarium or the aquarium itself.
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Why is my fish swimming against the rocks?

Fish will get the occasional itch and seeing a fish flick against a rock isn't necessarily a cause for alarm. But if it's performed with any regularity, it's worth checking for ammonia or nitrite and chlorine in untreated tap water, as these can cause irritation.
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Why does my goldfish keep rubbing on the gravel?

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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Why is my fish pecking at the rocks?

All You Can Eat

Part of this ongoing buffet is the tempting bits of algae and microscopic organisms that live on gravel. Because their fins aren't exactly equipped to pick off these tasty morsels, goldfish will pick up a pebble, scrape off as much algae from the gravel as they can, then spit the gravel piece back out.
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How to avoid getting stuck practical rock fishing secrets



Why is my fish kissing the glass?

Fish exhibit many behaviors that tell us how they are feeling, and glass surfing (also known as pacing) is one of them. This is when fish constantly swim up and down the sides of the aquarium glass. One reason they do this is stress. It could mean they aren't happy in their environment, for one reason or another.
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Why do my fish eat food and spit them out?

Fish only require a very small amount of food, so try feeding them a little less. Some fish also spit their food out if the particles are too big, breaking them down into smaller more manageable sizes. Also, some fish like to taste their food before eating it - Bettas and Siamese Fighters are well known for this!
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Why is my fish rubbing itself on the gravel?

Fish will often rub on rocks to clean themselves or simply to scratch an itch. It is often referred to as flashing and is very natural behavior, so don't be alarmed. If you notice your fish rubbing on rocks more frequently, your fish may have parasites or is stressed because of high ammonia levels in your tank.
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Why is my fish thrashing around?

What it could mean: If you've noticed that your fish seems to be rubbing or banging against things in their aquarium frequently, they could be displaying what's known as “flashing,” or “itchy fish.” As the name implies, a fish that's constantly banging up against things in their aquarium could actually be trying to ...
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How do I know if my fish are happy?

Generally speaking, following are some of the ways you can tell if your fish are happy.
  1. They swim back and forth freely and energetically around the tank.
  2. Quite like humans, happy fish might have a vibrant glow to their skin. ...
  3. They do not appear fearful of the other fish in the tank. ...
  4. They are breathing normally.
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How do I add oxygen to my fish tank?

Increasing water movement is the quickest way to increase oxygen (O2) levels in a fish tank, as it allows more O2 to dissolve and carbon dioxide (CO2) to be released. This can be easily done using an air pump, performing large water changes, manually stirring the water, or placing a fan near the aquarium.
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Do fish flash when stressed?

In a chronic stress situation, the immune system is weakened, allowing proliferation of parasites and bacteria. Some fish are more sensitive to parasites than others. You may see one fish flash occasionally, but this usually does not indicate an outbreak.
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What does ick look like on 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.
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Do fishes sleep?

While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.
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Why do goldfish throw up their food?

Fish need to flex their gills while eating. Gill parasites can disturb this motion and he will spit out his food. Other outward signs such as a slimy coat or spots may accompany parasites on the fish.
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Can you eat goldfish?

Goldfish are as edible as any other freshwater fish. If you choose to eat it, know these facts first: That gross flake and/or pellet stuff is what your fish has been eating exclusively. Pop a pellet or two, that's what your fish will most likely taste like.
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How do you calm a stressed fish?

Ways to Reduce Fish Stress
  1. Change water frequently to keep nitrate and ammonia levels low. ...
  2. Check water temperature for consistency regularly to prevent stressful fluctuations.
  3. Provide an optimal filtration system like the Fluval Underwater Filter that captures debris and bacteria while ensuring proper oxygenation.
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Why do my fish follow me?

Because fish often rely upon a complex web of senses beyond sight, many signals - chemical, hormonal, activity and sound - will attracts them and they know when you are, and will trail you, long before you see them.
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Why is my fish swimming in the corner?

The Temperature Is Too High Or Low

If the temperature is too high or too low, then your goldfish may move to one of the bottom corners of the tank. Up to a certain point, warm water rises, so your goldfish may swim to one of the bottom corners to where it's cooler.
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Why are all my fish glass surfing?

“Glass surfing” is when a fish – such as betta fish, gouramis, and cichlids – repeatedly swims up and down along the tank walls. It could be caused by stress, boredom, defense of territory, and other reasons.
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How can I make my fish happy?

10 Ways to Ensure Your Pet Fish is Happy & Healthy
  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.
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How do I know if my fish has enough oxygen?

It is sometimes difficult to tell whether you are giving your fish enough oxygen because they might not show any symptoms at first. The most telling sign that your fish need more oxygen is if you see them gasping at the surface -- they will also tend to hang out back by the filter output.
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How do you know if your oxygen level is low in fish tank?

When oxygen is critically low, fish will gasp at the surface of the water where oxygen levels are highest. You also may notice them hanging out where the filter tumbles water back into the tank. Other signs include fast breathing, lethargic behavior or swimming off-balance.
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