Home

>

Fish

>

My Fish Stay at the Bottom of a Clean Tank, Are They Ok?

My Fish Stay at the Bottom of a Clean Tank, Are They Ok?

Updated On May 28th, 2016

Pet's info:

Image profile

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

Cleaning the filter and changing the water may have upset the nitrogen cycle in your tank. This is due to removal of beneficial bacteria which convert ammonia (from waste, food, urine, etc.) to nitrites. Water and filter changes can be stressful as well. If you have the means, test your tank water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels. Adjust accordingly using conditioned water or additives that will bind harmful compounds. You can also submit a water sample for testing. Moat pet stores or professional aquarists will do this for free or for a nominal fee.

Vote icon

25Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

See More Answers

Related Questions

Hello, my dog Raven has been itching for awhile. I have been giving her Zyrtec allergy medicine for 2 months but I’m not sure if that’s been helping. Just the past 4 days I have started giving her Salmon Fish Oil Omega 3 with Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil from Zesty Paws. I have given her those supplements before but stopped months ago. I noticed today she has these red bumpy spots under her belly and some other spots she has flaky skin. All these spots are near her back side under/top. Thank you.

Thank you for using Boop by Petco. From your picture it appears that Raven has a skin infection. This usually occurs secondary to allergies as they lick and scratch leaving the skin more susceptible to yeast and bacteria. I would recommend a vet visit to get her on appropriate antibiotics and possible a medication for allergies. There are many treatment options to try for an itchy dog.

Read More

Fish has white fluffy stuff on gills and eyes as well as what looks like fin rot. We’ve lost almost all the fish in our aquarium… we thought ick initially and have dosed Melafix but it doesn’t seem to be working. They won’t eat, they’re either laying on the ground or floating at the top of the tank gasping ): we have a large tank with several peaceful species and now we’re down to just a handful of fish left. We are devastated.

Hi and thanks for your request. this ''fluffy'' material on the skin fish is likely a oomycetes (a fungus basically) called Saprolegnia. This is a secondary proliferation due to a primary infection which could be due to a variety of causes unfortunately. From the pic white spot disease (ich) dies not seem to be present. Given the high mortality incidence it is absolutely necessary to check water parameters and make sure they are normal and take the moribund fish (and the dead ones) to your local veterinarian for (euthanasia if needed and) necroscopic examination. Your local veterinarian will be able to tell what is going on or possibly prescribe some treatment (likely antibiotics or disinfectants).

Read More

My fish has a bump on his head I’ve been using Pimafix and meta fix treatments and not sure what to do now

Hi and thanks for your request This is likely due to lymphocystis which a self limiting and resolving lump caused by a viral infection (iridovirus). The lump may take several weeks to disappear but it will eventually and spontaneously. Please check water parameters as they should be kept within normal limits.

Read More

Zoey has some dry skin causing dandruff, last time I took her to the vet the vet suggested incorporating fish oil into her diet but to be sure it was specifically for cats. Are there any recommend brands of fish oil for cats or specific fish? Just trying to find the best for her. Thanks!

Hmmm. Not sure the train of thought your vet was on. I commonly recommend fish oils, any fish oil supplement will work. There is no specific amount, though the biggest side effect is greasy stools. If you notice that, then you decrease the dose. It can take several months for you to see a change after starting fish oils. You can find a pet product at a pet store, or just use one from the human supplements section of a pharmacy or other store.

Read More

17-month-old neutered rescued male. Very itchy lesions on head behind ears. Three vet trips. Steroid and antibiotic shots. Skin scrape. No answers. Changed food from chicken. Grain-free fish only. Revolution Plus most of his life. Indoor only. Only pet. Does not appear to affect appetite or energy level but seems to get depressed. Wears cone 24/7. Hates!! Help!! I love my baby so much and he is miserable. Vet can not help.

Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. I'm sorry that multiple trips to the vet have not helped. Unfortunately, not everything is easy and cut and dry. Sometimes advanced diagnostics are needed to find out the problem. My best guess is that this is an autoimmune disease. You would need to have that skin biopsied to get an answer. This is my best guess based on what you have stated. It is difficult for me to say much else without the whole medical history. You didn't mention but I'm guessing there is no ear infections? Any blood testing done? This could be a food allergy but what you need to do is use a food with a hydrolyzed protein. A novel protein, like fish, is not likely to help. With hydrolyzed diets the protein particles are too small for the body to react to them. With any diet trial you have to be 100% sure he doesn't eat anything but the new food. No treats, no people food, nothing. If after 8 weeks on a hydrolyzed diet he is not significantly better then it is definitely not a food allergy. You will need a prescription from your vet OR you can order it from my website and I will authorize it for you. ( https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198943_Home.pml?productId=114505 ) He could have otitis media which is an inner ear infection (behind the ear drum) that would only be seen with advanced imaging though. I suggest you do a hydrolyzed diet trial. If no resolution then you should take him to see a veterinary dermatologist. I suggest this one - seems to be close to the zip code you provided: ( https://www.dcaseattle.com ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Read More

My betta fish has fin rot, it’s progressing very fast. Within a day there’s a noticeable difference. He’s in a 55 gallon glofish tank(I tried multiple dividers and he kept escaping with no injuries) yesterday I put some betta fix medicine but it took the whole bottle, didn’t even get the desired dose for the tank. I have a 10 gallon for the betta but the stuff for nitrogen cycle is in the mail and I know it can take a long time. I’m not sure what to do. Thank you!

It may be easier (and more economical) to use a one or two gallon vessel to use as a "hospital tank". Use the water from the main tank initially and change the water in the smaller tank every couple days. For the small amount of water, you can use a water conditioner such as Prime (by SeaChem). Find it in your local Petco. A bit of StressCoat will also aid in recovery. Maintain pristine water quality and proper temp (78F to 80F) to aid in healing. Make sure he continues to eat normally as well.

Read More

image

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Filed Under

Sponsored