Tigerbarbs/Rainbowsharks, swimming at top

I just started a new tank a few weeks ago, 6 Tiger barbs original and albino, 3 rainbow sharks, 3 catfish and 1 Plecostomus.
I've got caves and fake plants.

All of my fish have been acting pretty normal till a few hours ago.
All of my Tiger Barbs, and rainbow sharks are swimming at the top.
Not floating, just swimming at the top, with there mouths to the surface, breathing the air.

Is this normal?
Could it because i added a new rock?
Could it be because i gave them freese dried bloodworms for the first time today?


If you know what this means please help.

Thanks Monica.

Monicaiscool wrote:
I just started a new tank a few weeks ago, 6 Tiger barbs original and
albino, 3 rainbow sharks, 3 catfish and 1 Plecostomus.
I've got caves and fake plants.

All of my fish have been acting pretty normal till a few hours ago.
All of my Tiger Barbs, and rainbow sharks are swimming at the top.
Not floating, just swimming at the top, with there mouths to the
surface, breathing the air.

Is this normal?

No.

Could it because i added a new rock?

Maybe.

Could it be because i gave them freese dried bloodworms for the first
time today?

How big is the tank?

There could be a few reasons for this, but most
likely there's been a buildup of waste products
(ammonia is the usual culprit) in the water.
Especially in a new tank.

Do a 50% water change if possible, and vacuum
the gravel to remove fish poop and old food
particles. Smaller water changes over the next
few days if you can; then cut back.

You may want to invest in a water test kit from
your local fish store. It can warn you if your
water chemistry goes awry.

Googling on 'nitrogen cycle' may help explain
what's happening to the water chemistry of your
tank.

Frankly, it may partly be due to too many fish
too soon; aquariums need to stabilize in the
first few weeks.

**************

Another possibility is the type of rock you
put in. If it's from the fish store, it's OK.
If you picked it up from outside, did you wash
it thoroughly? It could have had any number of
toxic things on it. If it's composed of limestone
or other porous rock, it can affect the pH level
of the water.

A rule of thunb is this; take your rock, rinse it
off, let it dry. Pour some vinegar on it. If the
vinegar bubbles (reacts), the rock is NOT safe
for your tank.

Slate and granite are usually chemically inert,
sandstone and limestone are usually bad. Other
types of rock can be a gamble. Clay plant pots,
porcelain knicknacks (don't know about ceramic)
and plastic plants are fine.

Good luck with the tank; I hope the fish are OK.

Randy

Originally Posted by Randy Day

Monicaiscool wrote:
I just started a new tank a few weeks ago, 6 Tiger barbs original and
albino, 3 rainbow sharks, 3 catfish and 1 Plecostomus.
I've got caves and fake plants.

All of my fish have been acting pretty normal till a few hours ago.
All of my Tiger Barbs, and rainbow sharks are swimming at the top.
Not floating, just swimming at the top, with there mouths to the
surface, breathing the air.

Is this normal?

No.

Could it because i added a new rock?

Maybe.

Could it be because i gave them freeze dried bloodworms for the first
time today?

How big is the tank?

There could be a few reasons for this, but most
likely there's been a buildup of waste products
(ammonia is the usual culprit) in the water.
Especially in a new tank.

Do a 50% water change if possible, and vacuum
the gravel to remove fish poop and old food
particles. Smaller water changes over the next
few days if you can; then cut back.

You may want to invest in a water test kit from
your local fish store. It can warn you if your
water chemistry goes awry.

Googling on 'nitrogen cycle' may help explain
what's happening to the water chemistry of your
tank.

Frankly, it may partly be due to too many fish
too soon; aquariums need to stabilize in the
first few weeks.

**************

Another possibility is the type of rock you
put in. If it's from the fish store, it's OK.
If you picked it up from outside, did you wash
it thoroughly? It could have had any number of
toxic things on it. If it's composed of limestone
or other porous rock, it can affect the pH level
of the water.

A rule of thunb is this; take your rock, rinse it
off, let it dry. Pour some vinegar on it. If the
vinegar bubbles (reacts), the rock is NOT safe
for your tank.

Slate and granite are usually chemically inert,
sandstone and limestone are usually bad. Other
types of rock can be a gamble. Clay plant pots,
porcelain knicknacks (don't know about ceramic)
and plastic plants are fine.

Good luck with the tank; I hope the fish are OK.

Randy

The tank is a 10 gallo, i let the tank stabalize first, i started out with only three fish and just recently finished my collecton for this tank. So i don't think that's what it is.

I'll try the water change, and cut down on feeding.

The rock is granite, was washed thoroughly yes and is granite, but i'll take it out anyways.

All my fish stopped doing it about a hour later, so i don't know.

Thanks for you help.
Monica.

Monicaiscool wrote:

[snip]

Good luck with the tank; I hope the fish are OK.

Randy



The tank is a 10 gallo, i let the tank stabalize first, i started out
with only three fish and just recently finished my collecton for this
tank. So i don't think that's what it is.

I'll try the water change, and cut down on feeding.

The rock is granite, was washed thoroughly yes and is granite, but i'll
take it out anyways.

All my fish stopped doing it about a hour later, so i don't know.

If they stopped, maybe there just wasn't enough oxygen
for a brief period. If you run an air pump, could the
power have been off for a bit?

Glad to hear it was only temporary, though...