Fish Stress

Fish Stress is the Number 1 cause of problems in fish keeping!

The same way humans stress over different situations in life, is the same way fish stress over situations in their life, and I think that that have a lot more reasons to stress than we have; being that they are held captive in glass boxes for our entertainment instead of  living free in the rivers and lakes where they belong! However, there are many ways to relieve stress for your fish and to make your fish enjoy being with you!

Red Tail Giant Gourami

Cause of Stress

Fish Stress is caused by a number of reasons. Below are some of the most common reasons:

Improper Water Quality: Having water that don't match your fish's requirement's in regards to pH, temperature, and others conditions that are found in fishes natural home!

Poor diet: Feeding fish food that is not supposed to be fed to it!

Tank Design: If you tank design is not comfortable for your fish providing hiding spots and safety retreats it can surely cause stress! My suggestion when choosing a tank design that is least stressful for your fish is to try to imitate your fishes natural habitat!

Over Crowding Tank: Too many fish in your tank!

Bullying: If your fish is being bullied by other fish stress is sure to come!

Poor filtration: If your tank is not being filtered and cleaned properly it can stress your fish out!

External Stress: People tapping glass, putting hands in tank, chasing fish with net, etc.!

Signs Of Stress 

When your fish are stressed, they will not keep it a secret from your, they always show signs of stress! However, some signs are easier to  notice than others.

• Hiding: Often times fish hide when stressed!
• Not Eating
• Diseased or sick
• Torn fins
• Lack of color
• Lack of activity

Prevention Of Stress

There are many things to do to prevent stress:

• Make sure you have good water quality, meeting all needs and requirement of your fish!
• Make you fish comfortable, provide hiding spots and many things than imitate fish's natural environment like rocks and plants:
• Prevent bulling, removed all bullying, or bullied fish!
• Feed You Fish the appropriate diet for your fish!
• Be sure to have Perfect Filtration!
• Keeping Children from tapping on glass and bothering the tank!

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