What Are Some of the Reasons Fish Jump Out of Their Aquariums?

There are plenty of reasons fish might jump out of their tanks, such as poor water quality. Poor living conditions can also prove to be inhabitable for certain fish. When choosing different species of fish for your tank, make sure you choose ones that can thrive in similar living arrangements. There are many factors to consider when choosing your species. The staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a leading provider of fish tank supplies, list a few of the reasons your fish might jump out of the tank, as well as ways to prevent this from happening.

Hunting or Being Hunted

Different species of fish have various means of survival. For example, there are some fish whose diets primarily consist of insects. A low-flying insect or one that’s sitting on a low-hanging plant near the aquarium may pose a temptation, which could result in the fish jumping out of the tank to try and catch the insect. On the other hand, if a fish feels it’s being hunted by another tank inhabitant, its natural survival instincts may be to escape the predator by jumping out of the tank.

Too Low or Too High pH Levels

The potential hydrogen level, also known as the pH level, in your tank cannot be too low or too high, as it could cause your fish to become extremely ill, even resulting in death. A pH level that’s too low means the water is very acidic (poor water quality or too much CO2 added), whereas a high pH means the water is in an alkaline state. There are signs to look for in fish that let you know the pH level is off. Diseased fish are an example of being exposed to high levels of pH. Disease symptoms come in various forms such as tiny white spots all over the fish, fish scratching themselves on different surfaces, or even erratic, out of the ordinary behavior such as jumping out of the aquarium.

Temperature 

Temperature is another element that needs to be monitored. You don’t want the fish to be too cold, but an unmonitored tank could get so hot that it burns the fish to death. Fish may even jump out of the tank in search of a better temperature. Make sure to check the tank’s temperature even in mild weather conditions for a faulty heater. Invest in a good thermometer, tank heater, and aquarium temperature controller to ensure your fish are safe and comfortable.

Not Enough Oxygen

Although fish live in the water, they need oxygen to survive just like any other living thing. A tank that’s too low in oxygen will suffocate the fish, sometimes resulting in an escape attempt in search of more oxygen. A couple of ways to incorporate oxygen are placing a dense planting of live plants into the tank and, of course, agitating the surface of the water. Also keep in mind that when the water is dirty, there’s less oxygen in the tank. Remember to not overcrowd the aquarium if your aerator isn’t up to par.

Too Much Ammonia

Ammonia poisoning is very common in fish. Some of the symptoms to look out for are loss of appetite, gasping for air at the surface, lethargy, bloody streaks on the fins, inflammation, hovering at the bottom of the tank, and jumping out of the tank. A few ways to decrease the amount of ammonia in the tank are doing a partial water change, using a neutralizing solution, lowering the pH levels, and reducing the frequency of feeding. A very healthy maintenance we always do at Aquatic Warehouse is to add live bacteria every week or two with Nite-Out live bacteria:

https://www.aquaticwarehouse.com/bacteria/Microbe-Lift%20Night-Out-II%20Bacteria-4-oz

This excellent product rejuvenates tired bacterial stains and keeps the bio-fauna in top shape, which more and more scientists are finding is the key to a healthy aquatic environment.

There are a variety of supplies you need to keep the fish in your aquarium happy and healthy. Whether you’re looking for beneficial bacteria or an aquarium dosing pump, reach out to Aquatic Warehouse. Give us a call today at 858-467-9297.