[goldfish98]

I just did my first 20% water change on my 10 gallon tank, and when I was done, the fish started going crazy. They are rapidly swimming all around, going near the top, and one of them is shaking a bit while swimming. Is this normal?

 

[Romad]

I wouldn't call it normal per se but they could just be stressed out from the experience. Leave the lights off and leave them be for a while and see if they calm down.

 

[jaysee]

Fish are often more active after a water change. Are your fish abnormally so? Can't tell - it's difficult to determine based on words because of differences in interpretation.

Could certainly be stress from the water change. No reason to not do them though - the fish will get used to it.

 

[goldfish98]

Yes, they are abnormally active, and they are still shaking. One is still attacking the other to. I'm a bit worried. I think if they die, I won't be getting any more fish. I am worrying myself sick over them...

 

[Agent13]

I'm noticing you saying your "first" 20% water change... which leads me to ask how did you do it? Water conditioner? Was the water too hot perhaps? To cold? Explain how you went about it. Also what kind of fish are they?
For an African cichlid all these behaviors would be normal after a water change... but for most other fish I don't think so.

 

[goldfish98]

We left a few jugs of water out until it reached room temperature, then I put denominator into the jugs. I used a large cup to empty the water, and then I poured the new water in.

 

[jaysee]

You've gotten a lot of good advice in your threads. I'm certain at least a couple people told you to not make any purchases until you do your research, but you did the opposite. Fish keeping can be really easy and enjoyable, or it can be really hard and frustrating. If you are going to continue to make uninformed purchases, then you are going to continue on the hard road and will likely quit the hobby. I think you should draw upon the experience and wisdom of the forum if you want to succeed in the hobby. I hope you don't take this advice negatively, but I've been following your threads and that is my assessment of your situation.

Like I said, fish are usually most active righ after a water change. That could easily be considered abnormally active. Shimmying is not a good sign - hopefully just stress related. If it's stress it should subside.

The fish are fighting because you only have the 2. Both are group oriented fish and both should be in a larger tank ( if I recall correctly you have a 10 gallon).

 

[goldfish98]

I do agree with you, but I wasn't the one who bought the fish, my mom did. I also agree with you about needing a larger tank. The fish have calmed down quite a bit now.

 

[goldfish98]

Would getting them some friends make them any happier?

 

[jaysee]

Getting more..... Let's look at it this way. You live with a roommate in a cramped apartment, and so you get irritated with each other and start fighting. Inviting a bunch of people over will "solve" things in the short term, but ultimately those extra people are just going to exacerbate the problem because the cramped apartment is just that much smaller. Not only that but you would get irritated with your guests as well - it would be a very stressful situation for sure.

 

[goldfish98]

Then how can I calm them down?

 

[jaysee]

If you can't get a larger tank and you can't return them, then you can try putting in a divider.

 

[goldfish98]

They stopped fighting, but they still seem a bit nervous because of the water change. One shakes quite a bit while swimming. I don't suppose I did something wrong?

 

[Tolak]

Don't know if I've seen the results of water tests here. If you have a shop test your water write down the numbers, fine or good tells us nothing. Unless you're doing something crazy water changes shouldn't bother the fish, and from reading back I'm seeing nothing out of line. Increased activity after a water change is pretty normal.

 

[goldfish98]

The fish are doing well, but one is still shaking. I have a feeling it's because of the other fish. Tomorrow, I am going to get a liquid test kit, another hit in Platy, and possibly a bigger tank.

 

[goldfish98]

They didnt have any more hi fins, so I got two green lantern platys so they can school together. They have been staying together, and the other fish really dont seem to care too much, but they are still getting used to the tank. I will post a follow up tomorrow.

 

[keepsmiling]

The fish are doing well, but one is still shaking. I have a feeling it's because of the other fish. Tomorrow, I am going to get a liquid test kit, another hit in Platy, and possibly a bigger tank.

What were the results of the tests?

 

[goldfish98]

Sadly the store we went to (the only one open at the time) only sold one liquid test kid which was out of my price range. I got test strips for now, but once I get the money I will get that liquid kit.

 

[keepsmiling]

Just start out with the API Nitrate kit, it's around $6-8