Fish Speding Time At Surface And Not Eating Too Much

george4 · Jun 7, 2008

HI, my fish seem to be spending alot of time at the top of tank recently, especially when the light is off. I wouldnt say they were gasping at the top but keep surfacing! Also they are not eating as much as usual and the only thing they actively go for are flakes and blood worm. the tank is a 400 litre with largish fish, including silver sharks, parrot fish silver dollars and oscar who used to eat loads but now a lot of it gets left at bottom. water papameters are fine and i have an air pump. Any ideas what could be causing this . Thank you

jacko9901 · Jun 7, 2008

george4 said:
HI, my fish seem to be spending alot of time at the top of tank recently, especially when the light is off. I wouldnt say they were gasping at the top but keep surfacing! Also they are not eating as much as usual and the only thing they actively go for are flakes and blood worm. the tank is a 400 litre with largish fish, including silver sharks, parrot fish silver dollars and oscar who used to eat loads but now a lot of it gets left at bottom. water papameters are fine and i have an air pump. Any ideas what could be causing this . Thank you

have you got a air pump. if not get one

Honeythorn · Jun 7, 2008

You say you have an air pump. Do you mean a filter? or an actual air pump? If you don't have a filter then you need one ASAP, especially since you have large species which produce a lot of waste. Fitting a spray bar attachment to the outlet of a filter will keep the surface of the water moving and agitated, and this helps oxygen to mix with the water much better.

george4 · Jun 8, 2008

Hi, yes i have an air pump attached to 2 separate air stones either end of the tank . also have more than enough filtration. 2 tetra tec ex1200 with spray bars that are about 1 inch under water. how should spray bars be best positioned to improve the amount of oxygen getting into the water?

shelaghfishface · Jun 8, 2008

put them above the water line and direct the water across the tank ,so that it hits the water from above when returning

this is what i have done with my ex1200

george4 · Jun 8, 2008

oki doke will try that. wont it be really noisy tho ? i have to sleep next to it lol. would a lack of oxygen cause a loss in their appertite too?

shelaghfishface · Jun 8, 2008

think it would cause them to be lethargic, and yes it would be quite noisy, and you would probably find yourself making a few trips to the bathroom during the night :lol:

what about a new airpump and a massive airstone, that maybe the quieter version, or just learn to live with the niose of a waterfall in the same room with the spray bars, i have tanks in my room and i am used to it now,though will depend on you of course

shelagh xxx

george4 · Jun 8, 2008

haha thats a good point. i will try it and c how it goes. i would turn the air pump up but am reluctant to do so as my last lighting unit broke after only a few months and the manufacturer said this was due to condensation damage caused by the air flow being too high. sound correct?

shelaghfishface · Jun 8, 2008

i wouldnt have thought so, its a tropical tank at about 75 degrees, there is bound to be condensation, but i would ask in the scentific bit of the forum as that would be interesting to know,, manufactures will always find a "cop out clause"IMO, and definatly turn up the air pump while you are posting and waiting for replies to flood in, i have airpumps on full on all my tanks and have never had a problem with the lighting units, but i could be and quite often am wrong, so im sure ill be put straight if this is the case

ps or the hardware bit xxx