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Everytime i feed my fish till they re full i would see them gasping for air afterwards.
Can anyone explain to me why they do this? Because this is probably the first time I ve seen any fish that does that after they have round bellies full of food.
I have also noticed that they display similar behaviour if they re under some stress like high nitrate/nitrite/ammonium levels.
btw the only fish that act like this is the flowerhorns.
help!

How are the oxygen levels in the tank?
If you're not running an airstone in the tank you might want to try it to see if that helps any. If you haven't got an airstone on hand and are running HOB filters you could try lowering your waterlevel by an inch from the outflow...the added fall will increase oxygenation.

^_^ [hr width='40%']"Cause you can't jump the track,we're like cars on a cable
and life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button girl,
So cradle your head in you hands
And breathe, just breathe..."

So, what are the water parameters? You've made the good observation that they behave this way under stress... so are they under stress? You'll find ammonia is the biggest cause of breathing issues as it effects the fishes gills. Airstones will help, but you need to monitor the problem to try and find the cause.

friedrice
You state that "the only fish that act like this is the flowerhorns" As you stated it is only fish that it happens to, therefore you should be able to rule out all water problems. I did say "should" What do you have in the tank with it, is it a M or FM, size of your tank, filtration and airration.

I have never heard of the fish so I did a little google search and no mention of this behaviour at all. Here is a recommended food list, other than the pellets and tablets all are of a soft moist mature. If you are feeding to much dry food this again "could" be a problem.
FOOD: Live; snails, fish, earthworms, insects; chopped meat; vegetables; spinach, peas, lettuce; pellets; tablets.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Thankyou, i think you have just nailed my question! as in answered it!
I have been feeding them pellets(ie dried food for a period now) because i have ran out of food for them, it is also because i have been extremely busy and i know this is no excuse.
However thanks for you recommendations Keithg, Jester and Babel, your help has been invaluable.


Also my water conditions are in top condition, i know this because i regularly clean my tank, and i find testing water conditions obsolete after 9 year of fish keeping..if you get my drift

Last edited by friedrice at 22-May-2005 03:16

friedrice

Thank you glad I could help. It often pays to do a Google some times you never know what you will find.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW