As an aquarist discovering your goldfish, unusual swimming behavior can raise many questions in your mind. So, why is your goldfish swimming in circles? Is it normal? Let us find out.
Ammonia Poisoning is the primary cause behind your goldfish swimming in circles. However, many other factors like unstable water temperature and stress can make your goldfish swim in erratic patterns. Consider providing good water conditions and adequate water parameters to prevent such issues.
In the below article, we will discuss the reasons and preventions behind your goldfish swimming in circles.
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My goldfish swimming in circles
Your goldfish in circles indicates significant unfavorable tank conditions that require immediate action.
The primary reason behind your goldfish swimming around in circles is ammonia poisoning. Ammonia poisoning can affect the gills of your goldfish, making your goldfish swim in circles.
However, there are many other reasons, like keeping your goldfish in a bowl and unstable water temperature can also make your goldfish swim in circles.
Also read: Ammonia Poisoning In Goldfish
Is it normal for your goldfish to swim in circles?
It is not usual for your goldfish to swim in circles as it indicates severe issues in your goldfish.
Ammonia poisoning in your goldfish can burn the gills of your goldfish, make your fish lethargic and make your fish gasp at the water surface.
If you discover your goldfish swimming in erratic patterns, you should immediately take action to prevent significant health issues in your goldfish.
Also read: Why Is My Goldfish Lethargic?
What are the reasons behind your goldfish swimming in circles?
Here is the reason behind your goldfish swimming in circles:
- Ammonia Poisoning
- Unstable water Temperature
- Placing your goldfish in a bowl
- Illness
- Stress
Ammonia Poisoning
Ammonia poisoning is a condition when the high level of ammonia in the tank affects your goldfish.
Overfeeding, improper cleaning, and overfeeding can lead to ammonia poisoning in your goldfish.
Ammonia poisoning can affect the gills of your fish and make it suffer from several health issues, eventually making your fish swim in erratic patterns.
Your goldfish showing lethargic behavior, gasping for air, laying at the tank’s bottom, swimming erratically, and clamping their fins to their bodies indicates ammonia poisoning in your goldfish.
However, you can treat ammonia poisoning in your goldfish by performing a 50% and by stopping feeding your fish for several days.
Unstable water temperature
Unstable water temperature can make your goldfish swim in erratic patterns.
If you place your goldfish in too hot a water temperature, your goldfish will become hyperactive due to increased metabolism and start swimming in circles.
Inadequate water temperature can also lead to significant health issues like losing appetite and constipation in your goldfish.
Also read: What Is The Ideal Water Temperature For Goldfish?
Placing your goldfish in a bowl
Placing your goldfish in a bowl can also make your fish swim in circles. Your goldfish require ample space for their healthy growth and development.
A bowl offers limited space making your goldfish suffer from stress and swim in circles.
The shape of the bowl also makes your goldfish swim in circles. Unfortunately, you cannot add a water filter, air pump, and other aquarium essentials required for the growth of your goldfish in a bowl.
In addition, goldfish are messy fish and will produce a lot of waste, contaminating the bowl.
Contaminated water will eventually lead to a drop in the bowl’s oxygen level, making your fish gasp for air at the water’s surface.
Poor water quality can also lead to significant health issues like constipation, loss of appetite.
So, avoid placing your goldfish in a bowl for the well-being of your goldfish.
Also read: Can Goldfish Live In A Bowl?
Illness
If your goldfish is suffering from bacterial infections and parasites, it can make them swim in circles.
External parasites like ich can lead to itching in your goldfish making your fish swim in circles.
The primary cause of white spot disease in your goldfish are as follows:
- Adding new fish to the tank without isolating them
- Infected decor items in the tank can make your goldfish suffer from white spot disease.
- Infected water in your fish tank can make your goldfish suffer from white spot disease.
However, you can treat ich in your goldfish by providing chemical treatment to your fish
Also read: How To Cure Goldfish Ich?
Stress
Stress can also make your goldfish swim in circles.
Stress caused due to poor water conditions, inadequate water temperature, and aggressive tankmates can make your fish swim in erratic patterns.
Other causes of stress in your goldfish are as follows:
- Low-Grade Food
- No hiding spots in the tank
- Overcrowded tank
- Improper feeding schedule
Excessive stress can also lead to the passing away of your goldfish.
Also read: What To Do If My Goldfish Is Stressed?
How can you prevent such swimming behavior of your goldfish?
Here are the ways to prevent such swimming behavior of your goldfish
- Provide good water conditions
- Create a stress-free environment in the tank.
- Provide adequate water parameters for your goldfish.
- Avoid placing your goldfish in a bowl.
Provide good water conditions
You should provide good water conditions in your goldfish tank to prevent such goldfish swimming behavior.
Improper water quality can lead to a spike in the ammonia levels leading to ammonia poisoning in your fish and making them swim in erratic patterns.
You should perform regular water changes to maintain the tank’s quality water.
We advise you to add a water filter to the tank as it helps eliminate all the harmful toxins from the water and keep the tank’s water clean.
It would be best to keep eyeing the tank’s ammonia level for the well-being of your goldfish.
We suggest you use the API Test kit as it delivers accurate results.
You can buy it from Amazon API TEST KIT
Also read: Do Goldfish Need Filters?
Provide a stress-free environment
You should provide a stress-free environment to your goldfish to prevent such swimming behavior of your fish.
You can provide a stress-free environment in your goldfish tank in the following ways:
- Provide adequate water temperature in the tank ( 68-74°F.)
- Maintain adequate water pH level. The ideal pH level of your goldfish tank is 7.5.
- Provide lots of hiding spots in the tank.
- Do not place your goldfish with aggressive tankmates.
- Avoid overcrowding your goldfish tank.
- Make a feeding schedule for your goldfish and follow it regularly.
Also read: Do Goldfish Need Hiding Places?
Provide adequate water parameters
You should provide adequate water parameters to your goldfish to prevent such swimming behavior of your fish.
Inadequate water parameters can shock your goldfish, making them swim in erratic patterns.
| Particulars | Goldfish |
|---|---|
| Water Temperature | 68-74°F |
| PH Level | 7.5 |
| Ammonia Levels | 0-0.25ppm |
| Nitrite Levels | 0 ppm |
| Nitrate | Below 40ppm |
Avoid placing your goldfish in a bowl.
You should avoid placing your goldfish in a bowl to prevent such swimming behavior.
Bowl offers no space for your goldfish to swim, eventually affecting the growth of your fish.
You should provide a big-size tank for your goldfish’s proper growth and development.
| Types of Goldfish | Minimum Size | Maximum Size | In A 10-Gallon Tank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comet Goldfish | 2 inches(5.08cm) | 12 inches(30.48cm) | 1-2 small Goldfish |
| Shubunkin Goldfish | 9 inches(22.86cm) | 18 inches(45.72cm) | 1 small Goldfish |
| Sarasa Goldfish | 4 inches(10.16cm) | 14 inches(35.56cm) | 1-2 small Goldfish |
| Common Goldfish | 4 inches(10.16cm) | 14 inches(35.56cm) | 1-2 small Goldfish |
| Fantail Goldfish | 6 inches(15.24cm) | 8 inches(20.32cm) | 1-2 small Goldfish |
Therefore, we advise you to add one gallon of water for every inch of fish for their well-being.
Also read: How Many Goldfish Can You Keep In A 10-Gallon Tank?
Conclusion:
- Your goldfish swimming in circles indicates unfavorable water conditions in the tank.
- It is not usual for your goldfish to swim in circles as it can lead to severe health issues in your fish.
- Ammonia poisoning is the primary reason behind your goldfish swimming in erratic patterns.
- However, many reasons, like unstable water temperature, illness, and stress, can make your goldfish swim in circles.
- You can prevent such swimming behavior of your goldfish by providing good water conditions and a stress-free environment for your goldfish.
Reference: ResearchGate ResearchGate