Health guide, not a diagnosis · Serious
pH or temperature shock
Also called ph shock, temperature shock, acclimation shock
Signs
- Fish suddenly dark, clamped or lying on the bottom
- Loss of balance
- Usually right after a water change or adding fish
Cause
A fast change in pH, hardness or temperature, for example a big water change with very different water.
What to do
Do not swing the water back quickly. Keep the tank stable, dim the lights and make the next water changes small and matched in temperature.
If a fish is badly ill, talk to an aquatic vet.
Prevention
Match temperature and test pH before big water changes; acclimate new fish slowly.
Medicines used for it
Always read the label first
Species often affected
0 species