alll my fish seem healthy but are breathing very fast....(tropical fish)?

[KatherineM]

i bought new fish and i have had these fish for about 2 days now and they are all swimming and eating normally but their gills and mouths are moving fast like they have no air.
i have a very big filter and the water is at the right Temperature and the ph is slightly slightly to alkaline but is that the problem?

 

[clint]

How many did you buy at once, how big is the tank?

Ammonia can be getting high and that lowers the O2 levels in the water.

Get a ammonia test kit, you probably need to do a water change.

your local fish store will most likely test your water for you, but in a new tank this needs to be tested daily, better to just get your own test kit.

 

[Sam]

maybe they are a little bit stressed out.
they need to comfort their self with their new home.
as long as its behavior is normal than its okay.
just feed them as usual but not too much.
when they are getting used to their new home they'll be fine.
but try not to disturb or scared the fish as this can also stress the fish and would probably die.
do not turn the light 24 hours.
maybe 8 hours a day should be fine.
also, try adding a little bit of aquarium salt.
it can help reduce the fish's stress plus kills bacteria and parasite.
but not too much salt as it could har your fish.
hopes this help.

 

[fishobsessedt]

Hi,
To better assess the issue we would need to know what type of tropical fish they are (example - mollies, betta etc), how many of each fish you have, and how big your tank is. From what you have said, I'd say it is not an ph level issue but exactly what described - 'like they have no air'. Your fish sound like they don't have enough air flowing through their water. To temporarily solve this (and this should only be for a few hours maximum until you can buy an air pump) you will need to move the filter in the tank (provided it is an internal hanging filter) so that the outflow of water skims across the surface of the water in your tank to provide a rippled water motion. You will however need to buy a air pump ASAP, and a air stone and a clear tubing (provided at all pet stores) and connect the tubing to the pump and the other end to the air stone and put the air stone in your tank. The pump should be placed higher then the top of the tank if possible in case of a power outage, otherwise the back flow of water will end up on your floor. The air pump will provide your tank with oxygen so your fish can breathe.