Why Is My Goldfish Rubbing Against The Rocks? (Reasons+Prevention)

As a goldfish keeper, discovering your goldfish rub against the tank’s gravel might raise several questions in your head. So, why is your goldfish rubbing against your aquarium rocks? Let us find out:

External parasites like ich make goldfish rub against rocks. However, other factors like contaminated water and injuries can also make goldfish rub against the aquarium rocks. Consider providing favorable water conditions and a stress-free environment to prevent such issues for your goldfish.

The below article will discuss all the reasons behind your goldfish rubbing against the rocks. In addition, we will also learn to prevent such issues for your goldfish.

My goldfish is rubbing against the rocks

Your goldfish rubbing against the rocks regularly requires immediate concern as your goldfish might be suffering from external parasites like ich commonly known as white spot disease.

There can be many other reasons, like poor water quality behind your goldfish rubbing against the rocks.

Stress can also play a significant role behind your goldfish rubbing against the rocks.

If you discover your goldfish rubbing against the rocks regularly, you should take immediate action for the well-being of your goldfish.

Is it normal for your goldfish to rub against the rocks?

Your goldfish rubbing against the wall is not an alarming situation until they do it regularly.

Once you spot them scratching themselves regularly, you should take immediate action for the well-being of your goldfish.

Your goldfish might be suffering from white spot disease or stress.

Ignoring such a situation can lead to severe health issues, eventually leading to the passing away of your fish.

What are the reasons behind your goldfish rubbing against the rocks?

Here are the reasons behind your goldfish rubbing themselves against rocks:

  1. Poor water condition in the tank can make goldfish rub against rocks.
  2. Stress can make your goldfish rub against rocks.
  3. Your goldfish rubbing against rocks indicates external parasites.
  4. Your goldfish rubbing against rocks also shows injuries.

Poor water condition

Poor water conditions can make your goldfish rub against the rocks. Contaminated water can lead to a spike in the tank’s ammonia level.

A spike in the ammonia level can lower the tank’s pH level making the tank’s water highly acidic, affecting the gills of your goldfish, and making them rub against the rocks. 

Contaminated water can also lead to a drop in the tank’s oxygen level, making your goldfish gasp for air at the top of the tank’s water surface. 

Therefore poor water condition is the root cause behind several issues in your goldfish and can also lead to the passing away of your fish. 

Stress

Stress also plays a significant role behind your goldfish rubbing themselves against rocks. 

Unfavorable tank conditions like inadequate water parameters, contaminated water, and aggressive tankmates can make your goldfish suffer from stress. 

Other factors that can lead to stress in your goldfish are

  1. Low-grade Food 
  2. Lack of hiding spots 
  3. Overcrowded tank
  4. Overfeeding

Stress can also lead to loss of appetite in your goldfish, further causing digestive issues to your goldfish.

Excessive stress can also result in the passing away of your fish. 

Also read: What To Do If My Goldfish Is Stressed?

External Parasites

External parasites such as white spot disease can cause itching in your goldfish, making them rub against the rocks.

External parasites can make your goldfish suffer from significant health issues, eventually leading to the passing away of your fish.

Such issues mainly occur when you add your new fish directly to the tank without isloating them.

Adding infected aquarium decors to your goldfish tank can also make your fish suffer from health issues. 

Other types of external parasites that can make your goldfish rub against rocks are

  1. Fish Lice
  2. Gill Fluke 

Gill fluke and fish lice can cause itching in your goldfish, making your goldfish rub against the tank’s rocks.

Injuries

Injuries can also make your goldfish rub against rocks. 

Adding aggressive tankmates can lead to severe aggression in the tank leading to several injuries to your goldfish. 

Aggressive tankmates can also lead to excessive stress in your goldfish, eventually leading to the passing away of your fish.

How can you prevent such issues in your goldfish?

Here are the ways to prevent such issues in your goldfish

  1. Isolate new fish before adding them to the home aquarium.
  2. Provide good water quality.
  3. Provide adequate water parameters.
  4. Wash the aquarium decors

Isolate new fish

It would be best to isolate the new fish before adding them to your goldfish tank to avoid the risk of an external parasite in your goldfish.

Isolate your goldfish for at least ten days before adding them to your home aquarium.

It will be advisable to isolate your goldfish to minimize the risk of external parasites like white spot disease in your goldfish.

Also read: How To Cure Goldfish Ich?

Provide good water quality 

You should always provide good water quality to your goldfish to avoid the risk of such issues in your goldfish. 

Ensure to do perform 30% water change weekly to keep your tank’s water clean.

You can also add a water filter in your goldfish tank as it helps to eliminate all the harmful toxins from the water and keep your tank’s water clean.

Contaminated water can also lead to severe health issues like swim bladder disorder in your goldfish. 

Contaminated water can spike harmful toxins like nitrite and ammonia, leading to severe health issues in your goldfish.

ParticularGoldfish
Ammonia Levels 0-0.25ppm
Nitrate Levels 0-40ppm
The above table shows your goldfish ideal water requirements.

We advise you to check the tank’s ammonia level with the help of a API Ammonia Test Kit as it provides accurate result.

You can buy it from amazon API TEST KIT

Also read: Do Goldfish Need Filters?

Provide adequate water parameters

You should provide adequate water parameters to your goldfish for the well-being of your fish and to prevent such issues in your fish.

Inadequate water parameters can lead to shock in your goldfish, making your goldfish suffer from severe health issues, eventually leading to the passing away of your fish.

Particulars Goldfish
Water Temperature68-74
Ph Level7.5
The table above shows the ideal water parameters required by goldfish.

Therefore, you should always provide adequate water parameters for the well-being of your goldfish.

Also read: Can Goldfish Live In Dirty Water?

Wash the aquarium decors

You should always wash the aquarium decors before adding it to your goldfish tank.

Your goldfish tank decors can hold many parasites that can cause infections in your goldfish.

We advise you to wash your aquarium decors like ornaments and rock before adding them to your goldfish tank to avoid any harm to your fish.

You should isolate the live aquatic plants and the other tank decors for at least 3-4 days before adding them to your goldfish tank for the safety of your fish.

Also read: Do Goldfish Eat Plants?

Conclusion:

  1. There can be numerous reasons, like ich, poor water quality, and injuries behind your goldfish rubbing against the rocks.
  2. You should take immediate action if you regularly discover your goldfish rubbing against rocks.
  3. You can prevent such issues by improving water quality, providing adequate water parameters, and washing the aquarium decors before adding them to your tank.
  4. Contaminated water can lead to severe health issues like swim bladder disorder in your goldfish.
  5. You should always provide a stress-free environment to prevent such issues. 

Reference: ScienceDirect

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