I have a 55 gallon tank with 5 parrot fish. They are all swimming at the top gasping for air. I have been out of town and my husband says they have been doing it for several days. I cleaned their filter last night and they seemed to be better. Tonight they are back to gasping at the top. I have tested the water levels and nitrites, nitrates, PH, and ammonia are all normal. They are normal in color. The tank has been slightly neglected due to the fact that i am 9 months pregnant and it does need some attention. But like i said water tests normal. What could be wrong with them? Thanks for your help in advance. My toddler loves the fish and we would all be so sad if something happened to them.
Fish gasping for air at surface
- Thread starter Awegand
- Start date
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Sharkbait54
Aquarium Advice Addict
Do a large water change.
Nitrates are 0 as well. I do have an air curtain but the tube is clogged and needs to be replaced. There is not much air coming from it at this point. I have a fluval 350 canister filter. I Add water every week. Seems like it evaporates at a fast pace. I have not done a water change in several months I am embarrassed to say. This is a well established tank. I have owned it with these same five fish for about 4 years.
Sharkbait54
Aquarium Advice Addict
At least a 50%, Should be fine. Try to unclog the airline when they gasp for air it's just that not enough oxygen in the water.
Do a 100% water change. Something is wrong. You should have nitrate since you have not done a water change for several months. Recheck the nitrate and be sure to shake well. Keep the surface of the water agitated. Do weekly water changes. Your tank probably have a lot of waste at substrate level. Siphon them out really good. Be careful of toxic pockets.
Donkey Gun
Aquarium Advice FINatic
This sounds to me like your fish are being poisoned slowly with nitrates not lack of oxygen. Since your saying your results are 'normal' I'm guessing your using the test strips an not a liquid test kit like the API master test kit. First off, those test strips are incredibly inaccurate.
You need to do a 50% pwc right away. I would do one now and one tomorrow, depending on what the levels are.. Make sure you are using a good dechlorinator like Prime to treat the new water before adding to the tank.
Congrats on the baby!! you should definitely have your husband do this as you recline and tell him the procedure.
You need to do a 50% pwc right away. I would do one now and one tomorrow, depending on what the levels are.. Make sure you are using a good dechlorinator like Prime to treat the new water before adding to the tank.
Congrats on the baby!! you should definitely have your husband do this as you recline and tell him the procedure.
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