What are some good indicators of stress in fish and what are the methods of dealing with the stresses?
Signs of Stress in Fish
- Thread starter OgreMkV
- Start date
change in colouration, white faeces, not eating, change in behaviour (fish usually at mid-bottom where fish is at surface for significant period of time), clamped fins, undue aggression, heavy respiration, hiding, zipping around like a lunatic...I'm sure there are more.
the answer is probably not as simple as following a certain procedure, as much as it is to remedy the underlying cause of the stress - water parameters, tank size, stocking, tank mates, decoration/aquascaping, diet, insufficient oxygen - or to identify the illness and treat.
the answer is probably not as simple as following a certain procedure, as much as it is to remedy the underlying cause of the stress - water parameters, tank size, stocking, tank mates, decoration/aquascaping, diet, insufficient oxygen - or to identify the illness and treat.
Loss of color, loss of appetite, they aren't as active, they hang out by the heater or maybe they are hiding more than usual. So many signs of stress. A good way to deal with stress is to remove the stress. Maybe another fish is being a bully, too much movement around the tank etc. I sometimes add a little extra Prime if my fish are stressed. Something going on in your tank?
Unusual behavior such as clamped fins, staying in one spot--often on bottom of tank; gasping for water/air; pale color; difficulty swimming properly. I'm sure others will give you more.
1: Always check parameters of water chemistry
2: Has filter stopped working?
3: Has fish been harassed by any others?
4: When was last time you did a pwc?
5: Check to see if something has been put into the tank that is not welcome--accidental dumping of food, container or item of toxic contents . . .
**Best advice, think clearly, analyze, act quickly
There's a start . . . .
1: Always check parameters of water chemistry
2: Has filter stopped working?
3: Has fish been harassed by any others?
4: When was last time you did a pwc?
5: Check to see if something has been put into the tank that is not welcome--accidental dumping of food, container or item of toxic contents . . .
**Best advice, think clearly, analyze, act quickly
There's a start . . . .
Rapid gill movement is the first sign of stress. It's a good indicator that oxygen is low and most likely your other parameters are out of whack. Lethargic swimming or resting on the bottom and gasping or gulping air from the surface are also signs of stress.
I was heading for a more general thread, but here's what's going on.
One of my female gold gouramis is having white, stringy poo and she seems to hide a lot or hang out at the surface a lot. She's not being chased alot by the make, just a little bit.
Now one of the paradise fish (almost 2 months in the tank) is acting weird, sitting on the bottom.
These are somewhat isolated incidents and I left the light on too long yesterday (home alone with the 6 month old)... so the paradise might have just been getting tired.
Anyway, I did a PWC Sunday morning. Water params are Ammonia back to zero, nitrates, 0, nitrites 0 (I have live plants), hardness 120ppm, alkalinity 80ppm, pH 6.4 (always been there).
The only difference is the addition of the three gold gouramis. The male has been quite aggressive towards the two females. After feeding (everyone does eat, I make sure that they all get something) the male goes hyperactive trying to herd the females into the corner and keep them there.
The female with the poo problem is mostly very docile and does as told. The other female is pretty aggro right back at him. I think her caudal fin has a small tear in it.
I'm going to do two things today.
1) Get the QT setup and running. I will probably put the male in it too see if the female stress is reduced that way.
2) rearrange the tank decor to break up sight lines and such. You can click on the 'my tank' link to see a pic and what I'm planning.
Thanks guys.
One of my female gold gouramis is having white, stringy poo and she seems to hide a lot or hang out at the surface a lot. She's not being chased alot by the make, just a little bit.
Now one of the paradise fish (almost 2 months in the tank) is acting weird, sitting on the bottom.
These are somewhat isolated incidents and I left the light on too long yesterday (home alone with the 6 month old)... so the paradise might have just been getting tired.
Anyway, I did a PWC Sunday morning. Water params are Ammonia back to zero, nitrates, 0, nitrites 0 (I have live plants), hardness 120ppm, alkalinity 80ppm, pH 6.4 (always been there).
The only difference is the addition of the three gold gouramis. The male has been quite aggressive towards the two females. After feeding (everyone does eat, I make sure that they all get something) the male goes hyperactive trying to herd the females into the corner and keep them there.
The female with the poo problem is mostly very docile and does as told. The other female is pretty aggro right back at him. I think her caudal fin has a small tear in it.
I'm going to do two things today.
1) Get the QT setup and running. I will probably put the male in it too see if the female stress is reduced that way.
2) rearrange the tank decor to break up sight lines and such. You can click on the 'my tank' link to see a pic and what I'm planning.
Thanks guys.
lol rwilliams
re Ogre's Question - just noticing that your ammonia is "back to 0"...if you've got ammonia in there that's going to not help, if that's even close to good grammar. Keep up with the water changes and testing, as you know already.
I'd add some more cover to the tank; rocks, driftwood, tall plants too for vertical cover (real or fake). In a counter-intuitive way, with a lot of fish, the more shelter/cover the more secure they feel as they know there is always somewhere to flee too if necessary.
re Ogre's Question - just noticing that your ammonia is "back to 0"...if you've got ammonia in there that's going to not help, if that's even close to good grammar. Keep up with the water changes and testing, as you know already.
I'd add some more cover to the tank; rocks, driftwood, tall plants too for vertical cover (real or fake). In a counter-intuitive way, with a lot of fish, the more shelter/cover the more secure they feel as they know there is always somewhere to flee too if necessary.