Fish staying at top of water

[Casual aquatics]

Fish hanging out at top of water??? Genral go to is lack of oxygen or too much water movements literally just done water change tanks cleaner then it’s been in a long time embarrassing to say but just not sure about to do water test hope I didn’t throw cycle some how @admins, admins anyone have idea @Daniel @cory

[Daniel]

It almost always one of 2 things:

• Lack of oxygen
• Lack of oxygen caused by too much ammonia in the water

So if I were you, I would attack both problems:

• Add an airstone
• Add a little salt because salt allows the gills to pass oxygen in the presence of ammonia

[Daniel]

Sometimes the raw water that comes in with a water change isn't as good as the water it is replacing. My water right out the tap has very low oxygen because it comes from well water.

[Casual aquatics]

Update: done ammonia test it is high should I do 50%change again or salt to make Gill process easier

[Matt_]

Agree with @Daniel, it is most likely low oxygen if you are not running an airstone or water quality issues if your fish do not normally hang out at the surface.  If you just did a water change make sure that you use enough dechlorinator if you are on city water because they may have started using chloramines in the water this time of year.  Recommend performing tests for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate on the tank and tap water.  You may be adding ammonia from the tap water which makes changing the water less effective.

[Daniel]

Start with a tablespoon of salt per 25 gallon. Then water change if you are sure that the water is good (while trying figure out where the ammonia is coming from).

[Casual aquatics]

Ammonia is up at 2.0 so needs changed the cause of it is still at question don’t see dead fish maybe a little access waste? Food etc I did recently add a canister from a previous tank idk if that whats caused it everything was fine before that the canister the day before was cleaned and new media added to it

[Casual aquatics]

Just now, Daniel

Start with a tablespoon of salt per 25 gallon. Then water change if you are sure that the water is good (while trying figure out where the ammonia is coming from).

Should I add salty first or change water first

[Daniel]

I would add some salt then change with known good water. You can always go back and add a little more salt if needed.