Fish going to surface

[Luisn17]

Hello,

Unsure what could be happening here…..any ideas?I noticed my hippo tang after being feed and eating like normal. He was going to surface repeatedly for what appears air. The skimmer is on and nothing has been added to the tank: no new fish, coral, or CUC. What caught my attention is the consistency and the big splash he made in one of times he went up for air.

I thought maybe they needed more oxygen and I cranked up the MP40 to 80%. But 80% is way to strong for my corals and not a setting I have kept my pumps at ever.

Thanks

I added a video of him:

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello,

Unsure what could be happening here…..any ideas?I noticed my hippo tang after being feed and eating like normal. He was going to surface repeatedly for what appears air. The skimmer is on and nothing has been added to the tank: no new fish, coral, or CUC. What caught my attention is the consistency and the big splash he made in one of times he went up for air.

I thought maybe they needed more oxygen and I cranked up the MP40 to 80%. But 80% is way to strong for my corals and not a setting I have kept my pumps at ever.

Thanks

I added a video of him:

Some causes are low dissolved oxygen
High temperature
gill flukes or velvet (with fish eating well may discount this possibility)
Elevated ammonia and/or nitrate

Verify temperature and water readings and add air stone. MP 40 at surface will not provide the needed surface to air exchange an air stone will provide

 

[Fish Fan]

Sorry you're having some trouble here! I can't see your video (stupid MacBook lol!), but typically this behavior indicates a lack of oxygen in the tank. The skimmer is great for gas exchange, but possibly not enough for your tank. Do you have good surface agitation? Can you point your MP-40 so it's breaking up the surface?

I'm sure that the R2R fish medic guys will be along soon to offer their advice

Good luck!!

 

[Luisn17]

Hello,

Unsure what could be happening here…..any ideas?I noticed my hippo tang after being feed and eating like normal. He was going to surface repeatedly for what appears air. The skimmer is on and nothing has been added to the tank: no new fish, coral, or CUC. What caught my attention is the consistency and the big splash he made in one of times he went up for air.

I thought maybe they needed more oxygen and I cranked up the MP40 to 80%. But 80% is way to strong for my corals and not a setting I have kept my pumps at ever.

Thanks

I added a video of him:

Some causes are low dissolved oxygen
High temperature
gill flukes or velvet (with fish eating well may discount this possibility)
Elevated ammonia and/or nitrate

Verify temperature and water readings and add air stone. MP 40 at surface will not provide the needed surface to air exchange an air stone will provide

From the list you gave. The highest likely to be is low dissolved oxygen. I can almost certainly rule out the rest. Temp is 78.4, tank has been up and running for over 5 months. I QT all my fish due a velvet outbreak over 2 years ago and still have ptsd from it. I QT everything now.

I will have to move the mp40 closer to the surface. Thank you sir!

 

[Luisn17]

Sorry you're having some trouble here! I can't see your video (stupid MacBook lol!), but typically this behavior indicates a lack of oxygen in the tank. The skimmer is great for gas exchange, but possibly not enough for your tank. Do you have good surface agitation? Can you point your MP-40 so it's breaking up the surface?

I'm sure that the R2R fish medic guys will be along soon to offer their advice

Good luck!!

I upload the video to YouTube. I forgot I have the same issue on my iPhone.

 

[Uncle99]

Can’t see the video but my blue tang does the same in my 180g.
During feeding, cruises the water surface (and a hair above like a shark) then smacks the surface.

Been doing that 6 years now. But only during feed.

100% normal IME.

Why?
Not a clue.
I always thought he was communicating with me, asking for more food drop…..idk…

 

[Luisn17]

Can’t see the video but my blue tang does the same in my 180g.
During feeding, cruises the water surface (and a hair above like a shark) then smacks the surface.

Been doing that 6 years now. But only during feed.

100% normal IME.

Why?
Not a clue.
I always thought he was communicating with me, asking for more food drop…..idk…

You’re basically explaining what I just saw from him. I had this fish for over 4 years and this is a first. I started dosing nopox so any little change freaks me out.

 

[backbayreef]

Can’t see the video but my blue tang does the same in my 180g.
During feeding, cruises the water surface (and a hair above like a shark) then smacks the surface.

Been doing that 6 years now. But only during feed.

100% normal IME.

Why?
Not a clue.
I always thought he was communicating with me, asking for more food drop…..idk…

Too funny - my Swallowtail Angel does the same.

Actually, it occurs to me that our teenagers do the same this whole summer: helicoptering around the kitchen for food. Once well fed, back to video games and hibernation. They would drive my wife nuts but I’m cool with it since I’m (hibernating) at work all day! lol

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO needs more surface agitation that shown in the video. Perhaps think about getting a cheap powerhead that can be angled and aim it at the surface.

 

[Uncle99]

Check this surfer!
Does this all day for years.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I upload the video to YouTube. I forgot I have the same issue on my iPhone.

Not abnormal tang behavior and Porpoising at surface which again may point to dissolved oxygen. Air stone is essential opposed to powerhead in this circumstance

 

[Luisn17]

I upload the video to YouTube. I forgot I have the same issue on my iPhone.

Not abnormal tang behavior and I do see wrasse too Porpoising at surface which again may point to dissolved oxygen. Air stone is essential opposed to powerhead in this circumstance

Can I pump the air via the same method to bubble scrubbing? 15 mins or so a day?

 

[backbayreef]

Can I pump the air via the same method to bubble scrubbing? 15 mins or so a day?

I’m cheap so I typically point the return nozzles up a little at the surface for oxygenating, no need for more pumps. ;)

 

[vetteguy53081]

Can I pump the air via the same method to bubble scrubbing? 15 mins or so a day?

I dont see this being effective,. You can try but air stone connected to pump is best delivery

 

[Fish Fan]

Can I pump the air via the same method to bubble scrubbing? 15 mins or so a day?

When you say "bubble scrubbing", do you mean your protein skimmer? And if so, are you only running your skimmer for 15 minutes a day?

 

[backbayreef]

When you say "bubble scrubbing", do you mean your protein skimmer? And if so, are you only running your skimmer for 15 minutes a day?

I believe one can achieve “bubble scrubbing” by putting an airstone next to the wavemaker’s inlet or return pump. It’s cool! I’ve done this before, not sure if it makes any difference since I got plenty of surface agitation and an oversized skimmer.

 

[Luisn17]

Can I pump the air via the same method to bubble scrubbing? 15 mins or so a day?

When you say "bubble scrubbing", do you mean your protein skimmer? And if so, are you only running your skimmer for 15 minutes a day?

No, I meant adding the air stone in front of the main return pump and having the bubbles come out the returns.

I do it about once a month or so since supposedly is beneficial for the corals.

 

[Fish Fan]

I believe one can achieve “bubble scrubbing” by putting an airstone next to the wavemaker’s inlet or return pump. It’s cool! I’ve done this before, not sure if it makes any difference since I got plenty of surface agitation and an oversized skimmer.

No, I meant adding the air stone in front of the main return pump and having the bubbles come out the returns.

I do it about once a month or so since supposedly is beneficial for the corals.

Huh, I've never heard of that Thanks for the explanation!

 

[Luisn17]

I believe one can achieve “bubble scrubbing” by putting an airstone next to the wavemaker’s inlet or return pump. It’s cool! I’ve done this before, not sure if it makes any difference since I got plenty of surface agitation and an oversized skimmer.

No, I meant adding the air stone in front of the main return pump and having the bubbles come out the returns.

I do it about once a month or so since supposedly is beneficial for the corals.

Huh, I've never heard of that Thanks for the explanation!

Essentially this happens:

 

[backbayreef]

Essentially this happens:

Oh I know - done that before and got a sticker. I haven’t heard of any scientific evidences for doing so though. My water is crystal clear and little/no algae. If anything, it’s annoying to see micro bubbles later… for me, why bother? Just need more surface agitation, 24/7 bubbles! :)