50 Symptoms That Your Fish Is Stressed
Description
This article is from the Beginning Fishkeeping FAQ, by Thomas Narten with numerous contributions by others.
50 Symptoms That Your Fish Is Stressed
In short, stressed fish don't ``act normal'' (with ``normal'' defined
according to the species of fish). Once you've had fish for a few
weeks, you'll see that each species behaves in its own characteristic
way (that's why fish are fun to have!). Some fish tend to always stay
near the top of the water, others near the bottom. Some fish swim
continuously, others stay in one place. Deviation from their norm
usually indicates stress.
Common symptoms of stress include:
* Fish stays near the surface gasping for breath, indicating that it
has trouble getting enough oxygen (the concentration of dissolved
oxygen is highest near the water's surface). Possible causes
include low oxygen concentration due to poor water circulation,
toxins that have damaged its gills, high ammonia or nitrite
levels, etc.
* Fish won't eat, or doesn't eat as aggressively as in past.
* Fish stays hidden continuously and won't come out where it can be
seen. Possible causes: aggressive fish, insufficient cover (e.g.,
plants, wood, etc.) to make fish feel ``safe'' while swimming
about.
* Fish has nicked fins, open wounds that don't seem to heal.
Possible cause: fish is target of aggression. Normally, minor
nicks and cuts heal quickly. If they don't, stress levels may be
suppressing the fish's immune system.
* Fish has disease (parasites, fungus, etc.) Of course, the disease
itself is a major problem. But in most cases, a healthy fish's
immune system keeps it from getting sick in the first place. Thus,
getting sick is a sign that the fish is in a stressed state (or
had been until recently).
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