Mohib321

Hi,

I have 3 balloon mollies and about 4 platies (along with some other fish and apple snails) in my tank and have noticed the mollies and platies gulping at the waters surface recently.

I thought that they may be doing this as a lack of oxygen in the water and so added an air pump for extra turbulance on the surface. I havent noticed the fish doing this before and have had them now for over a month.

Any idea why they may be doing this

Thanks

Jeff M

Was your tank setup new a month ago? Have you checked your nitrite levels? I would start with the nitrite test first.
Jeff

Lucy

It would be helpful to know what your readings are for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates to see where your cycle stands.

Are there any other symptoms?

How often are you changing the water?
I'd go ahead and do one now, (after testing) if you haven't done one today.

Alessa

you need to know all three, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Until then, I would suggest daily 50% water changes.

Those could be signs of ammonia/nitrite poisoning.

Mohib321

i bought a API freshwater liquid test kit the pH was around 7, and the nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia levels were low and well within the ranges stated in the manual. but i have noticed that there is a strong smell coming from the water and that they are still gulping at the surface.

any help plz??

pinkfloydpuffer

If there's any ammonia or nitrites showing at all I'd definitely do a 50% water change immediately, and every day until it's cycled.

Jess

Hi, Mohib321, it sounds like you need to change out 50% of your water immediately. Listen to Alessa, and Lucy, they know their stuff and want to help. Help them by posting your exact results from water tests. Best of luck. (from my experience, your fish shouldn't be gulping at the surface)

Shawnie

Hi mohib..everyones giving your great advice...ammonia and nitrites should always be 0 and nitrates under 20 is great....see if you can find some prime water conditioner as it will neutralize the toxins for 24hours until your next water change...I hope your babies do well! goodluck

Mohib321

i will do the water changes. my tank has been running for over two months now and the nitrogen cycle is complete. however is the water supposed to have quite a strong smell??

Lucy

No, it's not supposed to smell. What exactly are your readings?
What's your water changing routine and do you vacuum the gravel?

Fishies-for-me

The strong smell sounds like ammonia in the water to me...as stated above water changes are now your best friend....good luck.

Stevew4

Maybe too many fish in tank?

Fi$hFace

What are your exact readings? And how many fish exactly do you have in your tank? It sounds like you've got an amonia problem. I'm no expert but I was having a similar problem when I first started cycling my tank. I didn't do a "fishless" cycle and therefore my fish had to suffer through bouts of amonia. I would suggest doing a 50% water change daily adding Prime to the new water before you put it in the tank. The air pump is a good idea to ensure there is enough oxygen getting into the water. Also, if you're using water from your tap, make sure you test it too with the API test kit. I have to use store bought water because my tap water was testing positive for amonia. Do you happen to know anyone else who has a fish tank that is cycled? It would be beneficial to try and get some rocks or media from a cycled tank to help speed up your cycling process. Good luck!

Chase J

Sounds Like Ammonia Poisoning. What Are The Parameters?

haedra

This is from September, likely they have already dealt with the issue.

Lucy

Thanks haedra, yeah, this thread is pretty old.

Please check the dates on the thread before replying.

Chase J

oops lol kk jsut trying to help lol i feeel rather stupid now lol

Lucy

You shouldn't. Things like this happens.

Chase J

Thanks Lol. I guess you're right lol!

AmongthePuffers

Like everyone else, it sounds like your perimeters of the tank, if there not piping because of lack of oxygen. Some water changes are in order.

Lucy

I'm sure this issue has been resolved. Please check the date of the original post before replying. This one is from September 2008.
Thanks.