Surface swimming sign? - Aquarium Advice

adamatic · 09-19-2005, 11:58 PM

I noticed tonight that my dwarf puffers were hanging out near the top of the tank. It seems like the otos are also. Could this be a sign of oxygen deprivation? I did a [acronym:a999b9335f="Partial water change"]PWC[/acronym:a999b9335f] just in case but I'm wondering if I should add an airstone. It's a 5gal planted with [acronym:a999b9335f="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:a999b9335f] [acronym:a999b9335f="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:a999b9335f] with 2 DPs, 2otos and a halfbeak. Haven't had time to test the water yet but I will tomorrow...

rich311k · 09-20-2005, 12:03 AM

Are they gulping at the surface?

adamatic · 09-20-2005, 12:10 AM

Doesn't seem like they're gulping. Just kinda pointing their mouths up...

PsiPro · 09-20-2005, 12:15 AM

One sign is they hang out around the water return (usually). Or where there is alot of surface agitation and therefor more oxygen. Are they just staring at the surface or are they in turblent water.

adamatic · 09-20-2005, 12:24 AM

I guess it was kind of near the water return... I already did a [acronym:51ae11409d="Partial water change"]PWC[/acronym:51ae11409d] - is there anything else I can do tonight?

PsiPro · 09-20-2005, 12:39 AM

Can you adjust the water level so there is more turblance?

FawnN · 09-20-2005, 01:54 AM

It sounds like they are looking for more oxygen. If you have a [acronym:e107787d6d="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:e107787d6d] filter, you can remove some water from your tank to create a bigger splach at the surface. Even adding an airstone will help. What is your water temp at?

Higher water temps will also deprive your fish of oxygen.

Toirtis · 09-20-2005, 03:22 AM

Double-check your water parameters....raised ammonia/nitrite levels will also result in surface-gasping.

Acer · 09-20-2005, 09:39 AM

your tank might already be a little in the small side so maybe taking water out to make a more splash might not be such a good idea? what i did in my 10 before i added a air stone was put a piece of card board where the [acronym:7e2ccf59b0="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:7e2ccf59b0] filter meets the tank to hold it up maybe like 1-1.5 inches should be good.. hope that helps?

FawnN · 09-20-2005, 10:54 AM

Quote:

your tank might already be a little in the small side so maybe taking water out to make a more splash might not be such a good idea?

You wouldn't be removing a large amount to hurt your fish. Just enough so that your outflow doesn't touch the surface of your water.

09-19-2005, 11:58 PM	#1
adamatic Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 55	Surface swimming sign? I noticed tonight that my dwarf puffers were hanging out near the top of the tank. It seems like the otos are also. Could this be a sign of oxygen deprivation? I did a [acronym:a999b9335f="Partial water change"]PWC[/acronym:a999b9335f] just in case but I'm wondering if I should add an airstone. It's a 5gal planted with [acronym:a999b9335f="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:a999b9335f] [acronym:a999b9335f="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:a999b9335f] with 2 DPs, 2otos and a halfbeak. Haven't had time to test the water yet but I will tomorrow...

09-20-2005, 12:15 AM	#4
PsiPro Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 546 Images: 2	One sign is they hang out around the water return (usually). Or where there is alot of surface agitation and therefor more oxygen. Are they just staring at the surface or are they in turblent water. __________________ The Aquarium Wiki! Affordable Webhosting by Psi Productions

09-20-2005, 12:39 AM	#6
PsiPro Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 546 Images: 2	Can you adjust the water level so there is more turblance? __________________ The Aquarium Wiki! Affordable Webhosting by Psi Productions

09-20-2005, 01:54 AM	#7
FawnN Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 978 Images: 19	It sounds like they are looking for more oxygen. If you have a [acronym:e107787d6d="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:e107787d6d] filter, you can remove some water from your tank to create a bigger splach at the surface. Even adding an airstone will help. What is your water temp at? Higher water temps will also deprive your fish of oxygen. __________________ Regards, Fawn

09-20-2005, 03:22 AM	#8
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	Double-check your water parameters....raised ammonia/nitrite levels will also result in surface-gasping. __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

09-20-2005, 12:03 AM	#2
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	Are they gulping at the surface?

09-20-2005, 12:10 AM	#3
adamatic Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 55	Doesn't seem like they're gulping. Just kinda pointing their mouths up...

09-20-2005, 12:24 AM	#5
adamatic Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 55	I guess it was kind of near the water return... I already did a [acronym:51ae11409d="Partial water change"]PWC[/acronym:51ae11409d] - is there anything else I can do tonight?

09-20-2005, 09:39 AM	#9
Acer Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chicago Il Posts: 370 Images: 1	your tank might already be a little in the small side so maybe taking water out to make a more splash might not be such a good idea? what i did in my 10 before i added a air stone was put a piece of card board where the [acronym:7e2ccf59b0="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:7e2ccf59b0] filter meets the tank to hold it up maybe like 1-1.5 inches should be good.. hope that helps?

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