If you keep pet fish, at some point, you may have encountered an escapee lying lifeless outside the water. Fish jumping out of a tank is sometimes a one-off incident, but if it keeps occurring, this could point to an issue in the aquarium. Most species can leap above the surface, and it’s routine behavior for many. So, if you want to know why fish keep jumping out of their aquarium and how to prevent it, take a look at the crucial information below.
Many Reasons Can Cause Escape Attempts
There are many reasons why some fish keep jumping out of their tank. Sometimes, it may be due to a simple issue, like being over-excited at feeding time. If tank inhabitants regularly break for freedom, this usually indicates environmental stress. If a fish is under enough stress, it will leap from the water in search of a better home.
Here are the main reasons why pet fish become stressed:
- Overcrowding – If aquatic creatures don’t have enough space to swim around properly or safe areas to hide, they may look for a better environment.
- Bullying – Overcrowding also leads to bullying – and tank inhabitants may vacate the water as a defense mechanism.
- Poor water quality – Contaminants such as nitrates, chlorine, and ammonium caused by rotting food can reduce water quality and make the aquarium uninhabitable.
- Lack of oxygen – Fish can drown if they don’t get enough oxygen from the water.
- Unsuitable water parameters – Fish sometimes jump from a tank due to sudden water changes or if the water is too hot or cold, salty, or alkaline.
Jumping Is Normal Behavior for Some Fish
Jumping is standard behavior for many species, and most can leap above the surface. In the wild, fish leave the water for many reasons, such as hunting or seeking a more appropriate living environment. Fish from tropical countries can often breathe for short stints out of the water and jump from puddle to puddle to find a new home. Some surface hunters even have eyes that adapt to being above the surface. Overall, jumping out of the water is normal behavior in fish, but some are better at it than others.
Unfortunately, when domestic fish leap from their aquarium, they don’t understand how dangerous it is. In most cases, fish jump out of aquariums as a last resort to avoid something stressful in the environment. Luckily, it’s easy to identify and address these issues in a tank.
How to Prevent Fish from Escaping Their Tanks
The best way to prevent fish from jumping out of a tank is by providing a hospitable environment. This involves:
- Checking the water quality – Test the water quality with a kit and ensure parameters such as temperature are correct for the species. Use a tank thermometer to monitor temperature and add a bubbler to help create more oxygen.
- Keeping the aquarium clean – Follow a regular cleaning routine and avoid overfeeding. Use good filters and introduce tank-cleaning creatures such as snails.
- Not overcrowding – Monitor the community for bullying and ensure tank mates are compatible. Signs of bullying include chasing and tail-nipping.
- Using a lid – Most store-bought aquariums come with a lid, and universally sized aquarium lids are widely available.
- Installing plants – Plants create a visual barrier and deter occupants from jumping out of the water. They also provide environmental enrichment for fish. Choose floating plants such as salvinia and duckweed.
- Assessing the external environment – Fish have ears – and loud noises and bright lights can stress and startle them.
Fish That Are Likely to Jump From Tanks
Leaping out of the water is second nature to some fish, and they don’t think twice before jumping to their demise. Most top-dwelling species and ones who feed above the water are excellent jumpers because they depend on this ability for survival. Most fish can only jump a few inches above the surface, but others can leap several times their body length.
Even if everything in their environment is fine, if you keep the following aquatic creatures, they may still regularly jump out of the water:
- Barbs
- Betta fish
- Hatchet
- Loaches
- Plecos
- Rainbow fish
- Swordtails
- Tetras
If you keep the above species, you must have a lid on the aquarium or take other appropriate measures to prevent jumping, such as adding surface plants.
What Happens When Fish Jump From Their Tank?
Unfortunately, if you’re not around to save them, fish will often perish if they leap out of an aquarium. Some domestic fish can live longer than others out of the water. Bettas can live for up to an hour, but tetras, guppies, and goldfish may only survive for minutes.
If you find a dry, motionless fish outside the tank, it’s probably too late to save it. If the creature is moving and still wet – you may be able to revive it. You can place the fish back into the tank, but in the safety of a net, so tank mates don’t disturb it. Monitor it to see if it comes around, and if it recuperates but seems injured or unwell, seek veterinary advice.
Fish will jump from their tank for many reasons, and if you keep ones that are natural jumpers, you should add a lid or surface plants. If your pet fish keep dying or escaping, this may indicate an underlying problem in the aquarium – so you must assess the tank parameters when you discover an escapee.
