Swordtail fish is one of the most popular freshwater fish that you can buy. They are unique in their appearance and personality, which is why they have become so popular. However, there may be times when your swordtail starts to act strange, like lying at the bottom of the tank. If this happens to your pet, then read on for some tips on what might be wrong!
Swordtail fish are active swimmers and swim along the midsection of the tank. So, if your swordtail is lying inactive at the bottom of your tank, then there is something wrong with the fish. If your swordtail fish is at the bottom of the tank and it’s not their nap time, then it’s probably their death bed.
There are various reasons why swordtails would be lying at the bottom of the tank. However, I am sorry to tell you that it doesn’t happen under normal circumstances. Keep reading to find out!
Do Swordtails Usually Lay At The Bottom?
Swordtails do not usually lay at the bottom of their tank. Instead, they like to swim in the middle or top regions of the tank.
If your swordtail is lying at the bottom of the tank, you should be alarmed as something is wrong with your swordtail fish. It might also be that they are pregnant because there’s a possibility for live fry (which can make them lay on their sides).
Swordtails fish sometimes go to the bottom of the tank to scrape off debris or algae. Likewise, this behavior can also be seen when they are sleeping. But they immediately come up.
So, if your swordtail is lying at the bottom for a very long time, you should have that checked out.
Why Is My Swordtail Lying At The Bottom Of The Tank?
There are several reasons why your swordtail might be lying at the bottom of the tank. One reason is that they may be pregnant or giving birth to live fry, which can cause them to lay on their side.
Another possible reason for a lying down posture could be that they have stress. If they have too much stress, some of them might lay at the bottom of their tank.
Here are some of the major reasons:
Pregnancy/Labor
Your swordtail may be pregnant if she lays on her side and stays in one location for a few minutes or more than an hour. Pregnant females will also be rounder and fatter than usual.
Stress
Swordtails can have stress if they are not getting enough food or being bullied by other fish in the tank. If this is happening, you may see your swordtail lie at the bottom of their aquarium and stay there for a few hours before moving again. It would help if you resolved this quickly with some time away from bad conditions.
Poor Tank Conditions
There are many reasons why your swordtail may lay at the bottom of your tank. One of those is because they might have a disease, such as Finrot or fungus on their fins. If this has happened and you don’t want to treat them with medication, it’s best to move them out of that environment to get them away from the bad conditions.
Diseases
Another reason why your swordtail might be lying on their side is that they have a disease such as Finrot, which can cause the fish not to move around much and lay at the bottom of their tank. If this has happened, you’ll need to treat it with medication by using a medication made for fish.
Bad Tank Mates
Another reason why your swordtail may be lying at the bottom of their tank is that they don’t like their tank mates, or you might not have any other fish in there with them. They might also feel threatened by larger and more aggressive species that are too rough on them and have to protect themselves.
What Should I Do When Swordtail Is Lying At The Bottom Of The Tank?
If your swordtails are lying at the bottom of their tank, you must fix these conditions as soon as possible.
The best way to do this is by moving them out and giving them a healthy environment with plenty of food for them to eat and hiding spaces.
Swordtails might also shift to the bottom of the tank when it is time for the final goodbye. If your swordtail is sick or old and about to die, they are inactive and lays at the bottom of the tank.
Do Swordtails Sleep At The Bottom?
If your swordtail is perfectly healthy and not pregnant, is it possible that they are just resting or taking a nap at the bottom?
Yes, swordtails sleeping at the bottom of the tank might seem strange, but it isn’t. Swordtail fish can’t sleep as humans do, but they will rest at the bottom of their tank for a little while when it’s time to.
Swordtails normally do this with the group they hang out with.
They’ll also stay there if they are stressed or feeling sick and not moving much because of this situation.
This is why you should avoid overcrowding your tank with too many fish and make sure to give them enough hiding spaces.
Why Is My Swordtail Acting Strange?
Your swordtail might be acting strange because they are stressed, bored, or have a disease that’s making it difficult for them to move around much.
If your swordtail is swimming strangely in the tank, the first thing you need to do is check ammonia in the water as there is a high chance that your fish has ammonia poisoning.
The effects of ammonia poisoning can be fatal, like clamped fins, swim bladder infections, etc., that disrupt your fish’s regular swimming routine. S,o it’s important to take immediate action.
You can treat ammonia poisoning by adding water with a small amount of aquarium salt. What you can do to fix this is changing the water, add more oxygen, and give them a bath in fresh water, so they don’t get worse. You also need to make sure that your fish has enough hiding spaces and some plants for cover. If not or if
Moreover, you should always provide plenty of places to hide in the tank and give them plenty of food to eat. Then, when they are feeling better, their behavior will go back to normal.
Conclusion
Swordtails lying at the bottom of the tank are very strange, and you should have them checked with an expert. Any reasons why your swordtail might be lying at the bottom of their tank are because they have a disease, such as Finrot or fungus on their fins. Another reason is that they don’t like their tank mates, and you should make sure to give them enough hiding spaces to feel safe in this environment.
To ensure that your swordtails are happy, provide them with all requirements.
