Molly & Platy fish need for air?

[Kelly Preussner]

I have 2 black mollies & 5 platy fish. Sometimes they just sit at the top & seem to be eating the air. They will do this for a long time & then not go to the top for days it seems. Is this normal?

 

[JuiceBox52]

They do that sometimes but if its prolonged it could be a problem. Next time you see them doing this for long amounts of time test the water just in case. Do you have co2 running in your tank?

 

[Kelly Preussner]

It is not a prolonged amount of time. I had an air stone but we recently moved & I don’t have a place near my tank for the air pump so now just the filter. It is an over the tank filter so water flows in from the top.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Its probably fine then. All fish will come up for air sometimes

 

[Salty&Onion]

What are your water parameters? This often can be and indication of ammonia or nitrite or high nitrates.

 

[Kelly Preussner]

Thanks!!
water levels are all good. Ammonia & nitrite are 0. Nitrate ranges from 5-20. 20 is right before water change

 

[Colin_T]

It is not a prolonged amount of time. I had an air stone but we recently moved & I don’t have a place near my tank for the air pump so now just the filter. It is an over the tank filter so water flows in from the top.

Buy some more airline and plug the pump in at the power socket and run airline to the tank.

Post a short video showing the fish gasping.

It could be gill flukes.
Add 2 heaped tablespoons of rock salt, sea salt, or swimming pool salt for every 20 litres (5 gallons) of tank water. Keep salt in the tank for 3-4 weeks.

When you do water changes, add salt to the new water to keep the salinity (salt level) in the tank stable.

 

[Salty&Onion]

Thanks!!
water levels are all good. Ammonia & nitrite are 0. Nitrate ranges from 5-20. 20 is right before water change

Nitrate levels are a bit high. They need to be below 20ppm. How often do you do your water changes?