File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Hello /an/ I was hoping someone could help me with this because I have no idea what's going on D:
Recently, one of my brothers fish began to stick out its nose out of the water. At first it was very funny, but it began to be creepy when you could touch its nose and it wouldn't mind. He would just stay there with its nose out of the water (btw it climbs to the top of the artificial plant only to put out its nose). So my question is, what's going on? It seems healthy but the nose is beginning to get weird and we're worried it might die.

Sorry for the bad pic and thanks in advance! :D
>> Anonymous
Sounds like it must be sick.
>> Anonymous
maybe there's not enough oxygen in the water for it
>> Anonymous
is that a gourami or something? they breathe from the surface. if not, make sure your filter is breaking the water.
>> Anonymous
Yes, I think it's called "honey gourami". We have another three gourami in the same tank (another honey gourami and two pearl gourami). But it's the only one who does that (it stays outside of the water for large periods). We've already changed the filter and still it keeps doing that =/
>> Anonymous
Maybe he just likes to chill with his nose out of the water.
>> FatOldBenzGuy
How old is the fish?
Gill parasites can be a reason: For example worms or isopods that infest the gills.
The fish does not get enough oxygen and starts breathing air.
>> Anonymous
Why do fish breath air anyway? I thought they couldn't breath air because they're...well...fish.
>> Anonymous
>>71473
Protip: Gills extract oxygen from water
>> Anonymous
>>71474Captain Obvious to the rescue

SO WHY THE FUCK DO THEY BOTHER BREATHING AIR????????????????????
>> Anonymous
>>71475
Same reason humans do, bodies rely on oxygen to not die. Some fish like grommies and bettas have lungs and are capable of breathing air mainly because thier habitats are stagnant pools.
>> Anonymous
>>71485

Alright. Now we're getting somewhere. My follow up question: Gold fish have no lungs (I suppose?), so why the fook do they try and breathe air?
>> Anonymous
Well, they're quite old now that I think about it (like 2-3 years). How can I know if it's parasites? I'm starting to think it could be that.
>> Anonymous
>>71491
It's like a dog begging for food. Once a goldfish get's used to an owner they may tend to react to it the same way any domesticated animal would.
>> Anonymous
>>71493

True, but that's not the issue. When Oxygen is low in the water, all fish seem to come to he surface to breathe air. Why do they bother doing that?
>> FatOldBenzGuy
>>71492
To my knowledge they have a maximum life expectancy of 3,5 years.
It may just be dying of old age.

Parasites can be found under the microscope.
The vet takes a sample of the skin or gills and views them.
Gill worms or isopods can be found that way.
>> FatOldBenzGuy
>>71497
When there is no oxygen in the water,
they try to get the oxygen of the air.
Simple.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
OP here. Thanks for the info. I hope the vet has good news about it then. If not, I'll try to let it live what's left of it's life as happy as a fishy could be :3

As a reward I want to share in a picture of my cute kitty. I just love her!!
>> FatOldBenzGuy
>>71510

Are you sure about the vet?
Buying a new fish might be less expensive.
>> Anonymous
>>71548
hey, if someone cares about their fish enough to take em to a vet, I say more power to em

it's a lot better than the people who neglect their pets and wonder why they get ill or die
>> Anonymous
>>71471
Good information. And, for it's worth, you're the only namefag I respect. <3
>> Anonymous
It is a problem with water quality, have you done a water test recently ?, amonia/nitrates and nitrites cause fish to lose oxygen from water, regardless if the fish is a labrynth fish or not ( can breath out of water ) they still need the oxygen from the water.
>> FatOldBenzGuy
>>72535
that would be true if all fish had breathing problems.
But since it is only one...
>> Anonymous
>>72535
Well we changed it to a smaller tank and it doesn't stay outside anymore. Only takes air when it has to. So I guess it could be the water and the fact that it is sick (still the other fish are alright so I think that it's sick).

Sadly, there are no vets in my neighborhood who run tests on fish. Guess we'll have to leave the little guy in a separate tank until we find a good vet.