Fish At Surface When Light Is Off

[Michelleuk]

Hi

Every morning before the light comes on at midday , my fish are at the surface looking like they are having problems breathing. Their mouths move fast. Also it sounds like thay are jumping out of the water.

I have put air pump on this morning, not making any difference.

Can anyone help solve the mystery??

Thanks

 

[cane76]

sounds like a water quality issue?
so when the light is on they are not struggling to breath?

 

[Fella]

Water parameters? Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate?

 

[Michelleuk]

no problems when light on.

i will do a test, but water has been perfect. I do water changes twice a month.

 

[cane76]

when did they start gasping at the surface?
test the water you may have problems

 

[Michelleuk]

i have lots of plants - would this cause it?

 

[Michelleuk]

Test results:

Ammonia = 0

Nitrate = 10

Nitrite = 0.25

 

[cane76]

but why are they ok when the light is on
it dont make no sense to me sorry
one thing i will suggest is you up your water changes to once a week

 

[Fella]

The nitrite should be nil so I'd check that test again to be sure.

With them gasping at night, it could well be due to the plants. I can't remember the exact phenomenon that happens, but I think it's something to do with the respiration in the plants.

 

[Michelleuk]

thats the bit that confuses me

how do i get rid of nitrite

 

[cane76]

The nitrite should be nil so I'd check that test again to be sure.

With them gasping at night, it could well be due to the plants. I can't remember the exact phenomenon that happens, but I think it's something to do with the respiration in the plants.

ive never heard of that before but i know nothing about plants i keep fish
so too many plants perhaps?

 

[caino]

at night my wcmm rest just below the surface of the water, but they dont gulp at the air or anything like that, i think thats just where they choose to "sleep", is it all the fish in the tank that do it, or just a selection?

 

[Michelleuk]

They were all up there earlier this morning - even the cardinals tetras which are very hardy.

As the room is gettin lighter they are coming down or it may be due to the air pump being on for a while??

about 5 still at the top.

 

[caino]

do you have any bottom dwellers?

 

[Michelleuk]

did nitrite again now = 0.25 - it changed