Why does my fish keep hitting the tank?

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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Why does my fish hit the tank?

High ammonia or nitrate levels, low oxygen levels, improper temperature or a high or low pH can cause stress. If you have a saltwater tank, incorrect salt levels could have a similar effect.
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Why is my fish banging on glass?

Tapping on fish tank glass scares fish simply because it bewilders and disorients them. They have no idea what's going on, and all of a sudden they hear an overwhelming tapping sound that's completely puzzling to them.
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How can you tell if a fish is stressed?

Signs of Fish Stress

Fish suffering from a low but continuous level of stress (for example, from the wrong water conditions) will just appear “off” or “not right.” They will not be very active, won't feed well and in general will appear different from how they should be or how they used to be.
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Why does my fish keep hitting the side of the tank?

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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TOP 3 signs your fish is going to die



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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Are my fish fighting or playing?

There will be visible signs if a fish has been attacked in the tank. Such signs include marks on its body and nips on its fins. A fish that is injured will shy away from the other fish to give itself time to heal. Territorial fish are likely to be aggressive toward fish of their own species that are of the same sex.
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Why is my fish going crazy?

Fish Swimming Erratically: If your fish is swimming erratically, he could just be playing or exercising. If your fish does it this consistently and seems unhealthy, the cause may be poor water quality.
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How can I tell 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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What are some signs of ammonia stress in a tank?

Signs of Ammonia stress
  • Lethargy.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Hovering at the bottom of the tank (especially for surface dwelling fish)
  • Gasping at the surface.
  • Inflamed gills.
  • Red streaks or inflammation in the fins.
  • Inflamed eyes or anus.
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Should you touch a fish tank?

The staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a trusted supplier of saltwater and freshwater aquarium supplies, wants to share why it's best to not touch your fish. Touching your pet fish is usually a bad idea. It's advised to avoid touching or grabbing fish with bare hands in an aquarium unless in emergency situations.
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How do I increase oxygen in 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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Why are my fish swimming in one corner?

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 is my fish breathing at the surface?

A fish may linger near the surface because he's trying to breathe more easily. Remember, fish breathe dissolved oxygen—not oxygen that is already combined in the H2O molecule. Naturally, these dissolved oxygen levels tend to be higher near the surface, where interaction between air and water takes place.
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How do you play with fish?

To stimulate your fish's brain, give it toys like floating rocks and caves for it to hide in. You can even train your fish to do tricks like swim through a hoop or jump out of the water with a little practice. Keeping your fish healthy and active will help you enjoy your fish for longer.
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Is it OK to turn off aquarium light at night?

Aquarium fish do not need light and it is best that you turn it off during the night. Leaving the light on can cause stress to fish as they need a period of darkness to sleep. Too much light will cause algae to rapidly grow and make your tank look dirty. So the short answer is no, do not leave your lights on.
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How often should I feed my fish?

For the most part, feeding your fish once or twice a day is sufficient. Some hobbyists even fast their fish one or two days a week to allow them to clear their digestive systems. Larger, more sedentary fish can go longer between meals than smaller, more active fish.
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Can pet fish see you?

Can your pet fish recognize your face? A new study says, Yes, it probably can. Researchers studying archerfish found the fish can tell a familiar human face from dozens of new faces with surprising accuracy.
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Why is my fish attacking the other one?

If the fish are not getting enough food or enough of a particular nutrient, they will often chase each other or get into fights in a competition for limited resources. This can keep weaker fish from getting enough to eat. In extreme cases, it can even lead to cannibalism among the fish.
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How do I know if my fish tank is overcrowded?

If some young fish in your tank are constantly sticking to their corners or are becoming lethargic, there's your alarm. If some of your fish unexpectedly begin to die, then you definitely have an overcrowding problem. If this happens, make sure to identify signs of lethargy in other fish.
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How long does fish stress last?

Long-term Stress

Throughout the period of adaptation, the fish still prioritizes reacting to the new environment and remains stressed, so its immune system suffers and it is prone to disease. Adaptation normally lasts from four to six weeks.
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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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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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