Why is my catfish swimming up and down?

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 is my catfish swimming erratically?

The reason why your Cory Catfish is swimming crazy is because of stress or dissatisfaction with their environment. There are many possible culprits for this behavior such as bad quality water, poor tank conditions, improper feeding, or tank mates.
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How do you tell if Cory Catfish are stressed?

You know your cory catfish is stressed if it exhibits any of the following signs of stress:
  1. Frantic swimming.
  2. Odd swimming patterns, for example, swimming upside down.
  3. Lethargy.
  4. Refusal to eat.
  5. Gasping at the surface.
  6. Pale or whitish color.
  7. White spots on the body.
  8. Discolored gills.
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Why is my catfish swimming at the top of the tank?

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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Why is my fish swimming up and down in circles?

Fish may swim in circles to protect their territory, or it could be a mating behavior. Fish swim in circles because they are sick. Circular or erratic swimming could also signify neurological damage or disease.
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Why Does My Cory Catfish Hang Around The Surface?



How do I know if my fish has ammonia poisoning?

Symptoms include:
  1. Purple, red or bleeding gills.
  2. Fish may clamp, may appear darker in color.
  3. Red streaking on the fins or body.
  4. Fish may gasp for air at the surface of the tank water.
  5. Torn & jagged fins.
  6. Fish may appear weak and lay at the bottom of the tank.
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How do you destress a 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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How do you oxygenate fish water?

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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How do I know if my fish tank has enough oxygen?

Signs of Low Oxygen

They will swim less vigorously and even eat less often. As oxygen levels drop further, the fish will begin to show labored breathing and more rapid gill movements as they desperately attempt to get enough oxygen from the water by passing more water over their gills.
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How do I fix low oxygen in my aquarium?

In case of emergency, you can instantly increase the oxygen level in your aquarium by simply pouring down some aquarium water using a jar from some height. You can also do a large water change of up to 50% of water to increase oxygen in the fish tank.
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How do you make a cory catfish happy?

Water Flow: Cory Catfish love water flow and are often found “dancing” in areas with high flow. That said, try to have a few spots in your tank with low water flow so your Corys can rest (rock, slate and plants are a great way to do this).
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How do I know if my catfish is dying?

Here are 7 signs of sick or dying cory catfish.
  1. Slow swimming.
  2. Strange swimming patterns.
  3. Not eating.
  4. Gasping at the surface or breathing fast.
  5. Cloudy eyes.
  6. Damaged barbels.
  7. Damaged fins.
  8. Starvation.
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What is normal cory catfish behavior?

Corys have a calm, peaceful and non-aggressive temperament. Some Cory Catfish types are more shy and timid than others. This may also have something to do with their size relative to the other fish in the tank. It also can be related to the tank dynamic in general.
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Why is my fish swimming 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 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 you tell if your 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 can I oxygenate my water without a pump?

Here are the simple steps:
  1. Take any type of clean cup, pitcher, or another container, scoop out and fill it with aquarium water.
  2. Hold the filled container some distance above the aquarium, and pour the water back into the tank. Repeat this process numerous times.
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Are air bubbles good for fish tank?

Benefits of adding oxygen

When the air stone in the fish tank releases air bubbles, it helps prevent water from becoming dead water or even being toxic. Waste in the fish tank can easily get out of control in some situations, such as overfeeding or raising too many fish in one small fish tank.
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How do I raise the oxygen level in my fish pond?

In order to increase the oxygen levels throughout the volume of pond water, you will need to increase the surface area that comes into contact with oxygen.
  1. Increase Water Movement. ...
  2. Add a Pond Air Pump. ...
  3. Add Pond Oxygen Stones. ...
  4. Use Multiple Methods. ...
  5. Test Regularly (especially when the weather changes)
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Does a waterfall oxygenate a fish tank?

As the waterfall churns and moves water by the gallons, it can certainly look like the pond is getting the aeration it needs. In truth, this action does assist with the exchange of gas while infusing oxygen within the water.
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How do you add more oxygen to water?

One approach to highly oxygenated drinking water could be to add a very small concentration of hydrogen peroxide to natural drinking water. With such an additive, the hydrogen peroxide would achieve the desired result of adding the desired oxygen to the water.
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What are some signs of ammonia stress in a tank?

The signs of ammonia stress are usually pretty easy to detect, especially if you are paying attention to your fish regularly.
  • 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.
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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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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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