Why is my fish not moving but still breathing?

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.

Why is my fish swimming but not moving?

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. Talk to your veterinarian about treatment and look into what may be causing the stress and alleviating it.

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.

Why is my fish laying on the bottom of the tank but still breathing?

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.

Can fish breathe if they aren't moving?

Do fish die if they stop swimming? Your average fish can breathe perfectly fine, however, both in motion and at rest, so long as the water is oxygenated sufficiently. They will not die if they stop swimming. Simply being in oxygenated water is enough for fish to breathe and survive.

The Ultimate way to treat dropsy and swim bladder problem in fish

Why does my fish stay 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.

Do fish ever stop moving?

Sometimes people see fish when they're sleeping and assume they're awake because they're still moving. Most fish need to keep moving even when they're sleeping, so that they keep a constant flow of water moving past their gills to maintain a proper oxygen level in their bodies.

How do you save a dying fish?

What to do if your fish is sitting at the bottom of the tank?

They could also be bottom sitting due to water conditions, parasites or bacteria, stress, or gastrointestinal problems. If they are bottom sitting due to water conditions, then this needs to be corrected with checking the water daily and doing large water changes until the water is within appropriate parameters.

Why does my fish stay in one corner?

Just like sickness, they stay in the corner because they feel vulnerable. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do for this one except wait for it to pass. Lastly, they may be doing it because there aren't enough hiding places in the tank—all fish like lots of hiding places where they can feel safe and rest.

Why is my fish dying slowly?

There are many reasons why fish in your tank keep dying. A few reasons include stress, incorrect tank setup, overfeeding, diseases, and much more. To a beginner, it could look like your fish died for no reason whatsoever.

How do I bring my fish back to life?

Place the goldfish in a container filled with cool water from his tank. The cool water contains oxygen and will help to revive your fish. Some experts also suggest placing your goldfish right back into the water in his tank, even if he appears dried out.

What do fish do when they are dying?

Most fish are slightly denser than water, so sink immediately after death. However, like a drowned human, they become more buoyant over time as bacterial decomposition produces gases inside the body. Usually, enough gas builds up in body cavities to make the corpse float, like an inflated balloon.

Why are my fish just staying still?

Listlessness: If your fish seem tired and lethargic, it can be as a result of many factors. One common cause is improper water temperature. If your fish's water is too hot or too cold, they will be very inactive. Check your heater and verify that your aquarium is at the right level.

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.

How do you fix a fish swim bladder?

Treatment involves water maintenance, feeding changes, and possible antibiotics. Let the fish fast: If an enlarged stomach or intestine is thought to be the cause of a swim bladder disorder, the first course of action is to not feed the fish for three days.

What is wrong with my fish?

Obvious physical signs, such as spots, lumps, missing scales or frayed fins are the easiest signs of sick fish. More subtle behavioral signs, such as incorrect buoyancy, listing, decreased appetite or increased respiratory effort take more experience to spot.

Are water changes stressful for fish?

When a sudden, large water change occurs, it causes such a drastic shift in the water parameters that the fish often cannot tolerate it and they die. 2 Those that do not die immediately are stressed and may succumb to disease over the next few weeks.

Can salt save a dying fish?

Aquarium and Epsom salts are very beneficial to your fish. You can use any salts to clear any wastes or toxins from your fish body and revive it. These salt baths are best when the fish has overfeeding issues or mild infections. Make Epsom salt bath as recommended, and your fish will survive.

Does putting a fish in the freezer revive it?

Certain species of fish do survive in frozen or near-freezing temperatures, during what is called an “overwinter” by the NOAA. They will go dormant, often burrowing into sand or hovering in large groups, and “revive” when the water warms up or thaws.

Should I remove a dying fish?

Any dead fish should be removed, as its body will quickly rot in the warm, bacteria-laden water. A corpse will pollute water, risking the health of other fish in the tank. If it died from disease the last thing you want is other fish consuming its body parts, so remove immediately.

How do I know if my fish is sleeping?

It's pretty easy to tell when fish are sleeping: they lie motionless, often at the bottom or near the surface of the water. They are slow to respond to things going on around them, or may not respond at all (see some sleeping catfish here). If you watch their gills, you'll notice they're breathing very slowly.

Can a fish survive in milk?

Fish have evolved over many millions of years to survive in water with a certain amount of dissolved oxygen, acidity, and other trace molecules. So, though skim milk is nine-tenths water, it still would be entirely insufficient to support a fish for long.

Do fish always need to be moving?

Most fish need to keep moving even when they're sleeping, so that they keep a constant flow of water moving past their gills to maintain a proper oxygen level in their bodies. For some larger fish, like sharks, this can take the form of swimming at a slower rate when sleeping.

Can I put ice cubes in fish tank?

Avoid putting ice cubes directly into your aquarium unless you make them with reverse osmosis or dechlorinated water. Perform small partial water changes with slightly cooler water, making sure not to drop the temperature of your aquarium too rapidly.