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why are my fish (cichlids) staying at the very top of the tank like their gasping for air2007-11-24 23:43:47Answers:

Dirty tank emergency. They ARE gasping for air. Stop all feeding. Put all the fish into a bucket or other aquarium with maximum aeration. Remove all decorations and rocks. Stir up the gravel like crazy, and get a large fine net and filter the water manually as much as possible. Then change about 40-50% of the water, using water from another tank if you have it. Put the fish back in. Change the filter mediums and add extra, and turn up aeration. You might have to add another filter. If you think you might, then do. Rinse off all rocks and decorations including any holes they may have and replace. Rinse out and replace filter medium daily, until soiling is light. After a few days start feeding again, but just enough. And no tubifex worms ever. Move quickly.

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not good, check the water temp it is probably too high, and increase airation, and change your filter floss, change out some water, about a fourth should do, do these things and you should be OK, it is one of those, but really you should be doing all that stuff anyways.

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Because they need air. your water could be old or your air bubbler is broken.

Fish need O2 just like you

Filtered water is best for the fish, no chlorine.

check your filter too.

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Sounds like they could be hungry or the water is not right in their tank.May want to do a chemical test on the water.I wouldn't wait to long if you like your fish.鈾?

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your tank is overcrowded, please install powerfull aerated oxygen pump. Try to change the water to 1/4 to new water.

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First of all most cichlids enjoy being at the top of the tank, but it sounds like they don't look to hot. I would suggest following some of the advice above. Take some water to the local pet store and have them check the levels of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. Also you should change 10 to 20 percent of the water. Make sure you have good aeration and a clean filter. Over time everything should adjust to normal.

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They need air. If the tank is over crowded, then the water needs to be changed more often. Or the filter is clogged or it's not big enough to function right. Sometimes adding an air bubble tube will help.

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Because the water is polluted. Like human beings fish also need Mineral Water.

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increase aireation do that now, then siphon off one third of the watter. rplace it with aged or declorinated watter clean the tank. THEN buy a container of aqua chem strips. use them to check alkalinity, ph, ect,ect. ythat should solve the fishes problem good luck

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That is a very bad sign. It probably means that there isn't enough air in the water. You should change the water and get a air pump and filter if you don't have one.