For humans, stress can be hard to tolerate and cause illnesses in the long run. The same is true for your pet fish. When you find a stressed-out goldfish, you must know that your fish is in danger. That is why we try to provide a stress-free environment for our fish.
When a goldfish is in distress, it will show some signs and symptoms so that you can take necessary actions to relieve your fish from the stress triggers.
This article will guide you through identifying a stressed-out goldfish, the causes, and the ways to calm down a stressed goldfish.
What is stress?
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Stress is a survival mechanism. It is the fish’s way of responding to changes in its environment.
When a goldfish is stressed, it releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones help the fish fight or flee from stressful situations.
Stressed-out Goldfish signs and symptoms
Several signs and symptoms show a goldfish is under stress. Some of them are,
The fish may stop eating or eat less than usual.
A healthy goldfish will accept food anytime you offer them. However, a stressed-out goldfish may refuse to eat or only eat a small amount. If you observe your goldfish has less of an appetite, then it may be in distress.
The fish may become inactive and lethargic.
A healthy and active goldfish will swim around the tank joyfully. But a stressed-out goldfish will become sluggish and lie at the bottom of the tank. It will stop interacting with you and other tank mates.
The fish may have a change in coloration.
A goldfish’s normal color is yellow-orange. However, if the fish is stressed, it may turn pale or have a grayish hue. The fins may also become clamped down, and the body may be covered in white spots.
The fish may float at the water’s surface or sink to the bottom.
When a fish is stressed, it may lose its balance and float at the water’s surface. Or, the fish may sink to the bottom and lie there motionless.
The fish may breathe faster than average.
You can observe your goldfish’s gills to see if it is breathing rapidly. Typically, the gills should be just slightly moving. But if the goldfish is stressed, you will see the gills working hard and moving rapidly.
The fish may have red or bulging eyes.
If your goldfish’s eyes are bulging or red, it signifies that the fish is under stress.
The fish may have a swollen body.
A stressed goldfish may have a bloated body due to the release of toxins.
The fish may lie on its side at the bottom of the tank.
A goldfish lying on its side at the bottom of the tank is in severe distress and may die soon if not helped.
The fish may have clamped fins or be swimming erratically.
When a fish is stressed, it will try to avoid predators by hiding. The fins will be clamped down close to the body to make the fish appear smaller. The fish may also swim erratically in an attempt to escape the stressor.
The fish may have white patches on its body.
If you see white patches on your goldfish’s body, it is a sign of stress. The patches are due to the release of toxins in the body.
Causes of stress in goldfish
Many different factors can cause stress in goldfish. Some of the most common stressors are:
The tank is too small.
A goldfish needs at least 20 gallons of water to live comfortably. If the tank is too small, the fish will be cramped and have less room to swim. This can cause stress and lead to health problems.
The water is dirty.
If the water in the tank is dirty, it can cause stress and lead to health problems. Goldfish need clean water to thrive.
The tank water is too cold or too hot.
Goldfish need water between 68 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit to be comfortable. If the tank water is too cold or too hot, it can cause stress and lead to health problems.
Other fish are bullying the fish.
If other fish are bullying the goldfish in the tank, it will try to hide from the bully and become frightened. Fear is one of the primary reasons for your goldfish to become stressed.
A predator is chasing the fish.
If a predator is chasing the goldfish, it will always stay hidden somewhere to save itself. Since your goldfish is in great danger, it will become stressed and panicked.
The fish is not getting enough food.
If the fish is not getting enough food, it will become stressed and weak. This can lead to health problems and death.
There is too much noise or light in the tank.
Goldfish need a quiet environment to feel comfortable. If there is too much light or noise in the tank, it can cause stress and lead to health problems.
The fish is sick.
A sick goldfish is already weak, so it can not fight back when a stressor occurs. So, when a fish get infected with a disease, the sickness will cause the fish to become stressed.
The fish is being moved to a new tank.
If the fish is being moved to a new tank, it will often panic because it is not used to the new environment. When a fish is transferred to a new tank, it will become stressed and may even die if the move is not done correctly.
Inadequate hiding areas in the tank
If the tank does not have enough hiding places, the fish will become stressed. Goldfish like to hide when they are feeling scared or uncomfortable.
Incorrect diet
Goldfish are omnivore fish that need a lot of plant-based food. If they are not given the correct diet, they can become stressed.
Overcrowded tank
If the tank is overcrowded, the tank will get dirty faster, and the fish will not have enough space to explore around. This will cause your goldfish to get sick and be stressed.
Low oxygen levels
Goldfish require oxygen to live. If the oxygen levels in the water are low, it can cause stress and lead to health problems.
Can a stressed goldfish recover?
In most cases, stressed goldfish can recover when the stressor is removed. However, the goldfish may become sick or die if you don’t remove the stressor.
If you think your goldfish is stressed, check the water quality and temperature. You should also ensure there are enough hiding places in the tank. If you can not remove the stressor, you may need to consider adding a second tank.
How to calm a stressed-out goldfish?
If you think your goldfish is stressed out, you can take several actions to calm down your fish. Some of the stuff you can do are:
Add a water filter to the tank.
If your tank doesn’t have a water filter or the filter is broken, it will cause the water to get dirty soon. Adding a water filter will help keep the water clean and add oxygen to the water.
Add plants to the tank.
Plants will help keep the aquarium water clean and provide hiding places for the fish. So, if your goldfish is stressed because of water quality or lack of hiding spots, adding plants to the tank may help.
Change the water regularly.
If you don’t change the water in your tank regularly, it will get dirty, and the fish will become stressed. Changing the water will help keep the water clean and will also remove any toxins that may be in the water.
Ensure consistent water temperature in the tank.
Although goldfish are hardy fish that can tolerate extreme water temperatures, they still can not handle sudden fluctuations in temperature. So, if you are using an aquarium heater or air pump, make sure the temperature is consistent.
Add a bubbler to the tank.
A bubbler will add oxygen to the water and help keep the water clean. It is good to add a bubbler to the tank if the fish are stressed because of low oxygen levels or dirty water.
Add a second tank.
If you can not remove the stressor, you may need to consider adding a second tank. This will give the fish more space to swim and reduce the stress of being overcrowded.
Change the diet.
If the fish is stressed because of its diet, you can try to change the diet. You can try to give the fish more plant-based food or try a different type of food.
Give the fish time to adjust.
When a fish is first introduced to a new environment, it can take time for the fish to adjust. Give the fish several days to acclimate before trying to calm it down.
Treat the sick fish
If your goldfish has an illness, treat the illness. Once the disease is gone, the fish will likely recover from the stress.
Ways to prevent stress in your goldfish
While you can remove stressors from your tank, you can easily prevent stress in your goldfish by keeping a clean tank and providing a healthy diet.
You can also prevent stress by keeping the tank at a consistent temperature and not overcrowding the tank.
Finally, you can add hiding places and plants to the tank to provide a more natural environment for the fish.
Conclusion
Goldfish are beautiful, peaceful creatures that can make great pets. However, like all animals, they can become stressed.
When goldfish are stressed, they can become sick or even die. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize what causes stress in goldfish and how to prevent it.
Many things can cause stress, but the most common causes are poor water quality, lack of hiding places, and sudden temperature changes.
You can do many things to prevent stress in your goldfish, such as keeping the tank clean, adding plants and hiding places, and keeping the tank at a consistent temperature.
You can also try to change the fish’s diet if it is stressed because of its diet. If the fish is stressed because of its environment, you can try to remove the stressor or add a second tank. Finally, if the fish is sick, you should treat the illness.
You can help your goldfish live a long and healthy life by following these tips.
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