Weird Fish Behavior Plz Help

hi all, I bought 2 marigold sword tail about 4 days ago and this morning one of them died. The one that died was acting really weird for past few days. It would just sit at the bottom near the gravel and sometimes just swim back up to the end of the filter. Now my other one is acting the same. I included some pics. My red guppy is acting strange too. It seems to just hang out on the top corner of my tank.

Results of water tests are needed, numbers, not "my lfs says my water is ok" type of thing. How long has the tank been running, what temperature, what type, make, & model of filter, tank size, and anything added to the tank besides water will help.

Same as tolak has said water stats would be good, a fish that lays on the bottom to one side usually it a bacterial infection, was the fish bloated, also another sign of a bacterial infection is darkening in colour.

ok. I just bought a water testing kit. here are the results
pH: 7.6
ammonia:0
nitrite:5
nitrate:20
tank temp: 85F
tank size: 10gallon
filter type: Top Fin 20
water been running w/o fish for 2 weeks
other additives: water conditioning, red ich

Nitrite inhibits the fish's blood from adsorbing O2, probably the reason for hanging at the top. 85F is too warm for them, warmer water holds less O2, increasing the nitrite problem. The presence of nitrites shows that the tank is still cycling.

You need to increase aeration, if you don't have an air pump this can easily be accomplished by lowering the level of the water an inch or so, letting the water from the filter splash the surface a little more. This will increase the O2 level. Turn the heater down, to around 77F. Daily water changes of a couple of gallons will help with the nitrites, no ammonia & the presence of nitrates shows the tank is towards the end of the cycle.

You don't need the rid-ick, unless you have had a problem with ick. If you have, a higher temp is ok, 85F is a little too high, especially with nitrites. Shoot for 83F, with increased aeration if this is the case.

First of all thanks for helping me with my problem. My fish tank currently does not have a heater hooked up. I guess its due to the hot weather I've been getting here in the bay area. But I will probably go and buy a air pump tomorrow. I also read in the water test kit manual, for high levels of nitrite I should get this Nitra-zorb to remove the nitrites in my water. Should I get it?

Water changes will help the nitrite problem, no chemicals are needed. You are near the end of the cycle, this will clear itself up in a week or 2, warmer temps seem to cycle a tank a little faster.

Try a small fan blowing across the surface of the tank to increase evaporation, causing the water to cool a little. Higher tank temps are a common summer problem if you don't have ac.

Oops, I almost forgot... Welcome to TFF!

Wilder said:

Same as tolak has said water stats would be good, a fish that lays on the bottom to one side usually it a bacterial infection

Click to expand...

or simply- imminent death, from whatever cause

Seems clear that the water quality is the problem here+ quite possibly the heat=lack of oxygen. Change 4-5 gallons the first day (remember to dechlorinate the new water), then 2-3 gallons every day until the nitrites stay under 0.5 for 24 hours after a water change. It is true that the problem should sort itself out shortly, but sounds like time might be running out for your fish, so you need to move rapidly.

Airstones help with the oxygen, or if you have the sort of filter where you can shift the outlet so it breaks the surface of the water- it's breaking the surface that oxygenates the water. I keep an extra small Stingray filter for this purpose which I place at the surface on hot days- and particularly on hot nights, as that's when my plants don't produce oxygen, so problem often gets worse at night.

I agree with what been said in hot weather need to get aeration into the tank, as bacteria can thrive in this sort of weather, best in warm weather to do abit more tank maintance, good luck.