Fish Gasping At Surface

[Black_Stalion]

Hi guys, im up my mothers and all her fish are gasping at the surface, ive treated them with anti-internal bacteria...

ph 6.8
ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels r perfect

is there anything else it can be? she's already lost alot of fish.

Thanks

 

[stang1]

Check your oxygen levels and make sure the filter isn't clogged. We had the same problem a couple of weeks ago and as soon as we unclogged the filter the fish were fine.

 

[diet]

im thinking is there enough oxygen in the tank?

is ther emuch aggitation of the surface of the water if not redirect the output of the filter so it makes alot of movement on the surface.

If its not that it will only help

 

[Black_Stalion]

that could be the cause as she hasnt got an undergravel filter just a fluval 3 (3ft tank) and another lil pump but not actual air bubbles...

 

[stang1]

You should be able to adjust the nozzle on the filter to create bubbles, this may well help.

 

[diet]

and u will be able to direct the flow so it almost comes out of the top of the water

 

[Black_Stalion]

looks like problem sorted as most of the fish r already coming down now thanks guys dont know y i didnt think of that lol

 

[stang1]

No problem.

 

[diet]

glad we could help

 

[John59]

Sorry to jump in like this but that may be the answer to my problem
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=177378
I am off to the lfs to get O2 test never thought of that as the cause i was blaming C02

 

[crazie.eddie]

You can't really find cheap O2 test kits. A simple, cheap indication is the fish gasping for air at the surface. What size is her tank? What size filter? How many fish? I hope someone performs water changes and gravel cleaning on her tank, especially using a UGF.

 

[Black_Stalion]

shes got a 3ft tank, with a fluval 3 internal filter, and another smaller filter... ive told her shes got to get an under gravel filter... water changes she does herself, only did a 50% change a few days ago...

fish: 1 clown loach, 3 neons, 5 harlequins, 8 guppys, 2 gouramis, 3 swordtails and a plec

fish are back to there normal selves now

 

[DarkEntity]

Id be looking at a decent external canister filter, not an undergravel. That with a powerhead for water movement would be far better than ripping the tank down to install an undergravel filter.

 

[Black_Stalion]

i got an undergravel filter on my 4ft aquarium with 2 powerheads either side, and a fluval 2 in the corner just to pick up any loose muck i aint had any of them problems (o ive also a bubble wall, which add's o2 to the tank)