Fish Gasping, Hiding, or Not Eating? Check the Water First
Fish gasping, hiding, or not eating may be reacting to water problems, social stress, or illness; check their environment promptly. A symptom is a clue, not a diagnosis, and testing the water first can prevent the wrong treatment and help a veterinarian find the real cause faster. Fish & Aquariums › Health In This Guide What should you check first when a fish seems sick? Why is your fish suddenly gasping? Why is your fish hiding or not eating? Do white spots always mean ich? Should you add a general cure before testing the water? When does a quarantine tank help? What should you tell a fish veterinarian? When should you stop watching and seek urgent help? How can you collect useful evidence without stressing the fish? How do you avoid turning the hospital tank into another problem? The bottom line Sources & further reading Photograph: Damitr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 . Resized and headline added; this adapted image is shared under the same license. Illustrative ...