Is it normal that my fish float at the bottom of my tank?

19% Normal
26 Comments

Hey this is a questtion or call for advice to anyone who knows a bit about fish....Basically my fish keeps lying on the bottom of the tank with it's top fin down....I went to a local pet store and the told me it was maybe suffocating, so I fiddled around with my pump/filoter so it was letting mor oxygen into the tank and it still does it. Anyone know why?? Advice would be greatly welcomed as I have lost like 3 fish due to this weird problem. Is it normal? :( Thanks

Voting Results
19% Normal
Based on 31 votes (6 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 26 )
  • MissClaire
    12 years ago

    My goldfish (RIP) did that for an entire 2 years of his/her life.
    Fish losing their equilibrium and being unable to maintain their position is usually caused by swimbladder problems or swimbladder disease. This may result in the fish being unable to stay upright, swimming strangely or awkwardly and lying upside down in the bottom of the tank or in plants. Or the goldfish is floating upside down. Basically there is water in his swimbladder causing him to float from the swimbladder (which is underneith the fish.

    If swim bladder disease does have an infectious cause, your fish will be better able to resist this infection (and others) if your water quality is good. Regular water changes and water testing are a must.
    Pre-soak your flake or pelleted food. This will allow expansion to occur prior to the fish eating it, and will lessen the chance of impaction.
    There is no cure for it. Feeding medicated food (see bottom of page), adding salt to the tank, feeding peas, and raising the temperature to 76 degrees may help but only for a short time. Eventually the fish may be unable to eat and will have to be euthanized (lol euthanize a fish).
    You can also try to fast your fish for a few days - sometimes that can help.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    4
    4
      -
    • Violet_Heart
      12 years ago

      lol I love how you were serious, until the part about euthanizing a fish came up. x]

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      3
      3
        -
      • MissClaire
        12 years ago

        lol, yeah I guess I was pretty serious until then. My appologies as Swimbladdar disease is not a laughing matter ;)

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
          -
        • Violet_Heart
          12 years ago

          I had no idea fish could even get diseases! But yes..not a laughing matter.. =]

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          0
          0
            -
          • MissClaire
            12 years ago

            haha lol

            Comment Hidden ( show )
            0
            0
              -
            • Violet_Heart
              12 years ago

              ^-^

              Comment Hidden ( show )
              0
              0
  • Jweezee
    12 years ago

    I fell to the top of the stairs

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    4
    4
  • SoccerStud88
    12 years ago

    your fish is dead

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    3
    3
  • DannyKanes
    12 years ago

    Perhaps you are overfeeding your fish. Over feeding causes all sorts of problems.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • piman
    12 years ago

    That comment about sinking was hilarious. I can't believe he/she was the first to catch it! And you're really getting this worked up about your fish?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Decoder7
      12 years ago

      Did I say I was getting worked up? No.. If you actually read.."I have lost like 3 fish due to this weird problem" i'm more confused

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • aussiewolf
    12 years ago

    do you change the water in your tank? do you test the chemical levels? do your fish need warm water? what kid of fish do you have?

    did you also know that some pet shops purposely squeeze the fish when you buy them so they die not long after so you go back to the shop to buy more.... could be what is happening. maybe go to a different pet shop or a proper fish breeder and get advice / buy fish from them.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Decoder7
      12 years ago

      I have Medium sized goldfish, and he has purple eyes! O.o

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • aussiewolf
        12 years ago

        well goldfish can pretty much survive any temp or chemical level in your water so it probably is the place you are buying them from. try a different pet store / fish breeder and see how you go. if they still die then double check your water to see if it poisonous. good luck!

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • Clambones
    11 years ago

    I had fish once: it's a swim bladder problem. Maybe you can invest in an artificial swim bladder?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • domiadams
    12 years ago

    Google it!!!

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Jasaa
    12 years ago

    Maybe it needs some oxygen weed to get more oxygen in the water?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • CinnamonToast
    12 years ago

    I don't have a clue what the problem is, but in my experience fish are only upside down when they're dead. I don't know what you should do, but you clearly need to do SOMETHING, and fast.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • MythologicalMoose
    12 years ago

    Fadazz fish you got there (^ Lol ikr?)

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Sweetz
    12 years ago

    You left out what type of fish it was. Maybe its best to not buy anymore fish if you're not very much aware of how to properly care for em.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Decoder7
      12 years ago

      I have Gold fish...Erm I do know how to look after them thanks LOL!

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • emilydoll
    12 years ago

    :( I'm sorry. I will pray for your fish.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Decoder7
      12 years ago

      hahaha thankyou! :p

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      1
      1
    • flutterhigh
      12 years ago

      Oh thank god, Emily to the rescue.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    OK. So your fish are floating at the bottom of the tank.

    Jeez how i love this web site. I haven't laughed so much since granny got her tit caught in the mangle.
    .

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -2
    -2
      -
    • Decoder7
      12 years ago

      hilarious

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0