My fish keep opening and closing their mouths ... why are they doing this?
I have a 20 gallon aquarium with 1 black moor goldfish, 1 oranda goldfish, and 2 snails. My fish keep openingand closing their mouths. They are also coming to the surface like they are hungry. I have only have my aquarium for 4 days and the water is cloudy and it smells. I tested the water today and found that the pH, hardness, and alkalinity are high, but the nitrate/nitrite and ammonia are normal levels. Do I need to do a water change and get an air pump?
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Not just an air pump, but a large filter.
The water is cloudy because it's most likely starting to cycle - that and the amount of ammonia two goldfish will put in the tank can be very toxic. There's no oxygen in the tank and they are being poisoned by their own waste. They're going to the top for air.
Definately a water change as soon as possible and a filter as soon as you can.
Keep up on the water changes until you can get a filter and the water quality under control. Forget the kit you have for testing the water and bring it to a lfs to have it tested.
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I would suggest some aquarium salt along with the water changes to help with the stress they are under along with a water conditioner if you're using tap water
Your tank really should have been cycled for about at least 1-2 weeks before you added anyfish and your water is really bad you need to just let it cycle but your probably going to have some fish die since they really shouldnt be in there right now ..
hope they all make it:)
please vote best answer if i helped you
Source (s):
fish keeper for 4 years
you need an air pump and a filter, without these your fish can't survive. clean your tank every 3 weeks and buy ZIP drops. put in the ZIP drops every time you add water to your tank (4 to 5 drops per gallon)
Source (s):
I am a fish owner.
Two reasons why they do that. They breathe in oxygen and filter through their gills .. ...... the water is too warm and oxygen is low so you need to increase the aeration and keep the water cool.
They are passing water through their gills, in other words they are breathing
They are breathing you weirdo !!!
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