Why do my goldfish look like they are gasping for air? ?

Question

My goldfish have been gasping for air i mena like sticking their heads up. I have a filter and airpump. If it's dissolved oxygen that is too little how do i increase it? and yeah

Answer 1

i am pretty sure they don't last forever you will need to buy more, and check ur air pump it may not be working properly

Answer 2

You buy more.

Chances are it is a water quality problem. Do a 50% water change (make sure to dechlorinate the water) and see if they improve. If so keep up daily water changes and get a water testing kit. Test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate the first 2 should read ZERO the second below 40.

Answer 3

I just had the same problem with my tank.  I had my water tested and my ammonia was off the charts.  I did water changes 20% every day until my levels were back down to zero.  The fish that were gasping for air died but I was able to save some of my fish.  I think my problem was that I was overfeeding them.  I would recommend that you get a test kit.  If it is because lack of oxygen I heard that if you take some water out of your tank it will make more bubbles giving the fish oxygen.  Good Luck I hope this helps.

Answer 4

buy oxygen tablets and use them once a month

Answer 5

go to your petshop and ask they might have some oxygen tablets!

Answer 6

Because they are gasping for air.  One goldfish requires a 20 gallon tank with 10 more gallons for each extra fish.  They should have a filter that is rated for twice the size of the tank.  It's good to leave the water down a bit in the tank to create a bit of a waterfall effect to add oxygen to the water.  Partial water changes of 25% should be done weekly along with gravel vacuuming.

Oxygen tablets are useless.  You need to maintain good water quality without relying on artificial means.

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Answer 7

Put your head in the fish tank and start blowing, the oxygen released from your breathe will save them of their O2 deprivation.

If that doesn't help buy oxygen tablets and be sure to check the water for any problems besides lack of oxygen (e.g. the nitrite, nitrate, acidity and such). Be sure to clean out the water sometimes if you don't have a working filter (symptomatically noticeable by growing filth on the walls of the container).