bogdanil

Hi, I have 2 male and 3 femail swordtails together with other kinds of fishes in a 70 litre tank for only 3 weeks. One of the male started acting strange recently. Just stays on the ground or hiding and opens his mouth repeatedly. I don't see any other changes on his body and he comes up for feeding. Sometimes the other male is chasing him. Should i get more femails? Or what other reason can cause this kind of behave?

Lucy

Hi bogdanil welcome to Fish Lore

It sounds like he may be feeling the effects of ammonia in his tank and an over stocked tank.

Are you testing your water for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates? If so, with what and what are your readings?

please read about the nitrogen cycle:
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Also, please read the profiles for the fish you have, the silver dollars
alone, fully stock your tank.
If you have a common pleco, they get huge and really need a larger tank.
Pleae don't add anymore fish to this tank, you really need to return some fish to the store or get a larger tank.

I'd start with a good water change and get yourself a test kit, if you don't already have one. The API is highly recommended and accurate.

Sorry for all the questions, the answers will help the member help you.

Good luck

sapphirebetta

same thing my betta does sits on the floor and opens his mouth

Laelanna

Lucy has a very good answer for you, and I would start there. You could also add an air stone to make sure they are getting enough oxygen.

bogdanil

Thank your for the answers! In the shop they said they all gonna be fine together for now because they are small and later if they grow bigger i can get a bigger tank. They checked the water quality for me, i was told it's fine (even though i didn't get the results), except the ammonia was high. I have already changed the 1/4 of water few days ago but i will repeat it today. They also said i don't need to get a test-kit but i will defenatley get one.
I have "air bubbles", is it supposed to be on non-stop during the day?
I would really want to good care of them. Thanks!

Callum The Cat

adding another 2 more female swordtails will help i think

Rock On! Callum

Laelanna

We leave our airstone (the bubbles) on all the time. Our fish love to play in the bubbles.

jdhef

You should not be adding any more fish until your tank finishes cycling. There is no way your water is fine if you have high ammonia. Ammonia in any amount is highly toxic to fish. This would be the equivalent of you doctor telling you your fine except you are being poisoned.

Also, you are extremely overstocked, and saying you can get a larger tank later is not a very good plan. You really need to get rid of some fish, or get a bigger tank now.

morganrules

i would listen to jdhef hes helped me through my tank cycle and but yes you are overstocked and like jdhef said your fish might be feeling the ammonia on him what are your water parameters.