Clownfish swiming at top of tank (2024)

FAQs

Why does my clownfish swim at the top of the tank? ›

Check aquarium ammonia levels. Another reason for aquarium fish swimming at the surface may be poor water quality. Fish tank water can be crystal clear but deadly at the same time; toxic ammonia, produced by fish, and nitrite, a byproduct, are deadly at any level above zero.

Creating some surface movement, or installing an aquarium air pump or pond aerator with an air stone attached will often resolve these problems. Other reasons for fish gasping at the top of the tank include high ammonia or nitrite levels, high water temperature, overcrowding, and diseases.

When a fish is unable to control its depth, or starts swimming sideways, upside side down, or head or tail down, it may have "swim bladder disease." A fish with swim bladder disease can be a troubling sight to see, but it can be treated.

Is your fish shimmying at the top of the water, keeping its fins close to its body? This unusual behavior could be a sign of stress. Lastly, watch for what's known as 'porpoising'. This is when a fish darts up to the surface, then sinks back down, repeatedly.

If your fish are hanging around the water's surface and gulping for air, it could mean there is not enough dissolved oxygen in the water or the pond has a water quality issue. These problems can cause stress.

Increasing water movement is the quickest way to increase oxygen (O2) levels in a fish tank, as it allows more O2 to dissolve and carbon dioxide (CO2) to be released. This can be easily done using an air pump, performing large water changes, manually stirring the water, or placing a fan near the aquarium.

Use a swimbladder treatment such as Swimbladder Treatment Plus, that is designed to attack the bacterial infection that causes the problem. Work out how much treatment you need for your aquarium using the dosage calculator and follow guidelines carefully; taking note of any instructions or repeat dose measures.

The survival time for a fish with swim bladder disease depends on the severity of the condition and the fish's overall health. If the disease is mild and the fish receives proper care, it may recover within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if the condition is severe or left untreated, the fish may not survive.

How to tell if your clownfish are happy? ›

Happy fish are healthy fish that actively explore their surroundings, enjoy mealtime, have plenty of space for swimming, don't have any obvious signs of illness, and get along with their tank buddies.

Initially, all fish are given a quick dip in the formalin at a higher concentration, followed by continued treatment in a prolonged bath of formalin at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank (QT). The longer the fish are exposed to the formalin treatment, the more effective it will be at eliminating this disease.

A fish with swim bladder disorder can float nose down tail up, or can float to the top or sink to the bottom of the aquarium. Swim bladder disease is a very common illness within aquarium fish that results in the bladder not functioning properly causing the fish to swim upside down.

A fish with swim bladder disorder can float nose down tail up, or can float to the top or sink to the bottom of the aquarium. Swim bladder disease is a very common illness within aquarium fish that results in the bladder not functioning properly causing the fish to swim upside down.

When fish gasp at the surface, it generally follows that they are short of oxygen. Often this is due to other pollutants such as ammonia or nitrite interfering with healthy gill function in the same way that we might fight for breath in a smoky atmosphere or in the presence of noxious fumes.

“Glass surfing” is when a fish – such as betta fish, gouramis, and cichlids – repeatedly swims up and down along the tank walls. It could be caused by stress, boredom, defense of territory, and other reasons.