Swordtail fish is a freshwater fish that is popular among aquarium hobbyists due to its easy maintenance. They are pretty amusing, with vibrant colors and peaceful nature. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, which makes them resist stress and other diseases. However, if their habitat is not to their liking, they may exhibit strange behaviors like swimming in circles. So, what’s the reason behind swordtail fish swimming in circles?
If you see your swordtail fish swimming in circles, that might be an issue. Swordtail fish will show unusual swimming patterns like swimming erratically in a circle when the water quality is poor. When the tank water has elevated levels of toxins like ammonia, and when the temperature, pH, and hardness aren’t appropriate, your fish will start to swim in circles.
Apart from that, stress, diseases, looking for food, and saving themselves from the predators are other reasons your swordtail fish is swimming in circles.
In this article, we will discuss why swordtail fish portray such behavior and what we can do to prevent it, so stay tuned!
Do Swordtail Fish Swim Around A Lot?
Although it depends on the personality of individual fish, swordtail fish are hailed as active swimmers. Swordtails like to swim around the tank all day, exploring the territory and engaging with the tank mates.
Swordtails are called interesting due to their exploring nature. They love to wander around the tank, stay in groups with similar kinds of fish.
We haven’t yet seen a swordtail fish who doesn’t like swimming actively around the tank. This is one of the reasons why swordtail fish needs a large tank. A large tank gives them ample space to swim around. This will keep them happy and stress-free.
Why Is My Swordtail Fish Swimming In Circles?
As mentioned above briefly, there are many reasons your fish might be portraying such behavior. Let’s look at some of the possible causes in detail below:
Poor Water Quality
Poor water quality is a primary reason for almost half of fish problems. So if your fish exhibits strange swimming patterns, be sure to check the quality of your water first.
Generally, water quality issues include incorrect pH levels, toxins build up, inappropriate temperatures, etc. Of course, you should always have fresh, clean water.
The water should be well-oxygenated, and the filtration system should be valid. If the water quality is not ideal, you may see your fish is stressing out and swimming erratically in circles.
Ammonia Poisoning
Ammonia poisoning might be an issue if you see your swordtail fish darting or swimming into close circles for more extended periods.
A fish with ammonia poisoning will show symptoms like rapid swimming, swimming in circles, loss of appetite, lethargy, etc.
It would help if you always were careful about the elevation of toxins like ammonia and nitrate in your tank. Decaying matters in the tank, like leftover food, dead plants, and creatures, are why ammonia forms up in the tank. It is dangerous and severely deteriorates your fish’s health.
Stress
Stress is another reason your fish will start to swim strangely in circles. While under stress, swordtail fish will show signs like swimming up and down or in circles.
Various reasons can cause stress in fish. A completely new environment, inappropriate temperatures, low oxygen, aggressive tank mates are significant ones.
Stress can be fatal to swordtail fish as it makes them weak, susceptible to various diseases and infections.
Water Change
If you see your swordtail fish swimming in circles after you changed the tank water, you should know that you didn’t conduct the change correctly.
If you have recently changed the tank water, and your fish starts to swim erratically, it means you have disturbed their environment. Swordtail fish are sensitive to drastic changes in their environment as it takes them a while to adjust. This makes them go round in rapid circles.
Swim Bladder Disease
Swim bladder disease is associated with problems in the swim bladder of your fish due to inappropriate feeding that halts them from generally swimming in the tank.
A swim bladder is a gas-filled sac that helps your fish stay afloat. Swim bladder disorder occurs due to digestive problems like constipation. A fish suffering from this disease usually loses its ability to swim around, so they start to swim in unusual patterns like in circles.
Whirling Fish Disease
Whirling fish disease is a disease caused by the parasite Myxobolus cerebralis. The parasite usually attacks fish like salmon and trout. However, it may be seen in pet fish tanks as well.
The parasite usually makes tubifex worms the host in the initial phase. So, if you have fed your fish infected tubifex worms at any time, your fish might have caught the parasite.
It affects the skeletal system of your fish, causing them to swim in circles. This disease can be fatal as it damages the cartilage. Your fish might die because there is no cure for this disease.
How To Prevent Or Stop Your Swordtail Fish From Swimming In Circles?
Seeing your fish swimming in circles and pain can be disheartening. Here are some ways you can prevent it from happening:
Treat Ammonia Poisoning
It is crucial to check ammonia levels to prevent ammonia poisoning. But there are ways you can cure ammonia poisoning.
Conduct a 25 percent water change to balance the level of ammonia in the tank. Clean your filter because imbalanced circulation can cause ammonia elevation in the tank.
Then, regularly conduct another 25 percent water change until ammonia, and other toxins are at level zero.
Relieve Stress
Stress can be a significant reason for the unusual swimming behavior of swordtail fish. However, there could be many reasons your swordtails may become anxious.
It would help if you made sure to:
- Give it time to adjust if it’s a new addition
- Keep them with peaceful and active tankmates
iii. make sure to have well-conditioned water, filtration, current, etc.
Do Not Change Water Frequently
Yes, swordtails need clean water, and regular water changes are an essential factor to keep your fish healthy. However, frequent water changes can be fatal.
A fish needs almost a week or two to be able to adjust to new waters. So, changing water frequently will not give your swordtail enough time to adapt. In addition, this can deteriorate their health.
You should conduct about 25 percent water change once every two weeks is ideal so that your fish can remain healthy and stress-free.
Treat Diseases
Swim bladder disease or whirling disease could be the reasons that your swordtail fish is swimming erratically in circles. So, be sure to treat the diseases.
Quarantining the infected fish, salt baths, medications, and a healthy diet are some measures to cure fish diseases.
To prevent swim bladder disease, avoid giving your fish too much food. Avoid dry foods and food that dissolve in water. Keep your fish’s digestive system intact to prevent swim bladder disorder.
Similarly, you can prevent and cure whirling fish disease is by controlling the parasites from growing in the tank. Resort to healthy frozen food that is free of parasites.
FAQs
Does Swordtail Fish Diet Affect Its Swimming?
Swordtail fish might swim in unusual patterns like up and down or circles when not given an adequate diet.
Feeding your fish with infected worms, overfeeding them, not providing them enough can all affect the health of your fish.
Swim bladder disorder is caused by overeating and constipation. Make sure to feed healthy frozen food, wafers, pellets, and some vegetables like peas to prevent diseases in swordtail fish.
Conclusion
There could be many issues leading to your swordtail fish swimming in circles. The most common reason is ammonia poisoning.
It is vital to keep the tank clean and well-conditioned by testing and partially changing the water regularly.
Look after the habitat that you have provided for your fish and ensure that your fish are happy in it. I’m sure you will have a great time with your content, healthy fish.
