Oily film on surface

by **Finnegin'sMom** on Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:28 pm

Hi! I've noticed for the past 2 days that the surface water has an oily film floating on it. When looking thru the tank like a side view, Finnegin's water is crystal clear, but looking from the top, when the light catches it just right, it looks like an oil slick! I siphoned off and replaced with clean water; I also just put in a new filter bio-bag. He doesn't seem to mind it and I thought it just might be his own slime coat oils... but figured I'd better check just in case. As long as he can come up for air and not have this oily surface stuff impeding his ability to *breath* ... Anybody have any ideas as to what it could be? Thanks, in advance. All your advice has been great, so far.

by **liz2** on Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:51 pm

Some of my tanks have an oily film on the top, I really dont know what causes it. It just seems to be some of the fish, I change the water but it comes back. The fish arent bothered so I am not either..

by **Finnegin'sMom** on Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:58 pm

Thanks! He doesn't seem bothered by it, but I figured I'd better check in case it was abnormal. I certainly don't want any neglect on my part to be the cause of his demise! I got him in August and this is the first I've ever noticed the "oil" ... don't mind me... just an over-protective first-time *mother* LOL Happy Holidays!

by **KalandraJane** on Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:51 pm

It seems to be something that happens when there isn't enough movement on the surface, and in my experience only in open topped tanks. You can skim it off with a glass or a piece of kitchen towel, what I do though is position the filter outflow at the water's surface and the motion stops a skin from forming.

It's probably oils from uneaten food or poo breaking down (though it happens in my dwarf puffer tank, and they don't make much poo at all), or maybe dead bacteria.

by **Finnegin'sMom** on Fri Dec 03, 2010 1:24 pm

Thanks! I will try the repositioning. I know it's not uneaten food as the cause, because I feed Finnegin one pellet at a time and watch him eat. As for the poo, it might be, although I do siphon the pieces out whenever I see them, but I'm sure I'm not getting all. (He's usually very curteous and leaves it on a leaf so I can spot it easily! LOL) May be time for a vacuuming. Thanks again!

Oily film on surface

Oily film on surface

Re: Oily film on surface

Re: Oily film on surface

Re: Oily film on surface

Re: Oily film on surface