I'm back again, having problems with the same fish…
He's erratic and gasping for air, banging against the glass and decorations, kicking up sand and unearthing plants. Last time he got like this, the oxygen in the water was too low. But I keep the filter on at all times, making sure it agitates the surface, the temperature is fine, they're fed regularly and I tested the water it looks okay.
It's horrible seeing him like this I don't know what else to do.
He was given to me as a "rescue" sort of, so I wasn't prepared to have a fish this big but thought it woud be fine. I recently learned this tank is way to small for him, could that be the issue??
It's not overstocked, it has a few neon tetra and plenty of hiding spots. It's 58 Litres, and he's about… 10 cm long?
I can't afford nor have space for a bigger aquarium right now, so my best other option would be to sell/give him away to someone who is more equipped to care for him. But I can't know for sure if that will make him better?
TLDR: could the aquarium being too small cause this? Do I give him away?
Posted by Greedy-Dinosaur
6 Comments
I dont know what species of fish this is but if it naturally comes from fast flowing streams or rivers it absolutely needs more oxygenation than what the filter alone provides especially if its kept in a smaller than ideal aquarium.
Regardless Id buy an air pump for sure and in the meantime do a small water change with cold water.
I think you need to consider internal parasites.
Needs bookoos more flow
The last time I saw a fish do this, it was being electrocuted by the heater. Please unplug your heater and see whether he settles down
Your first mistake was getting a Chinese algae eater, it seems like they only exist to cause their keepers problems
Somethings stressing it out, so something is going on with the water. Oxygenation is unlikely a problem unless theres barely any movement which does not look like it. You may be having small ammonia spikes. Tank is probably too small for him to begin with, do a water change and observe but be prepared to rehome. Don’t play doctor, or overthink. Sometimes fish just don’t work out for reasons unexplainable. Every comment here is a speculation including mine.