Aquarium Fish Swimming Sideways? Upside Down?

Your aquarium fish might be swimming on its side or upside down because of the water parameters. Fish aquariums need a cycle which includes beneficial bacteria to consume nitrifying bacteria. To jumpstart your cycle you can always buy a used filter pad from a fish store to jumpstart your cycle. Aquarium fish are most commonly swimming upside down or sideways because of water parameters.

Your aquarium fish could be sick due to parasites or fungus. It is very common to buy aquarium fish that already have parasites in them when you buy them. You can treat the parasites inside of your aquarium fish using medication‘s in the hobby.

The first step to figuring out why your fish is swimming upside down is look at the other fish. If the other fish seem to be fine it is most likely just that particular fish that is sick. If the other fish look to be sick or swimming in a weird behavior then chances are it’s your water parameters.