My fish is not breathing and feels hot. Is my aquarium heater broken?

You can float it in some warm tap water but it will need to come out of the bag before oxygen levels drop and waste levels rise. Hot water bottles or a light over the tank may also keep temps out of dangerous ranges until you replace the heater. Buy two and keep a spare ready just in case.

Thanks for reaching out about Nemo and including photos. There is no evidence of Ich in the photos. Have you tested water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates? Correct problems. If having difficulty breathing (slow gill rate) add an air stone. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out. Pale gills are a serious concern. Providing additional oxygen is necessary for anemic animals to continue to deliver oxygen to organ. An airstone and pump will help, but an oxygen bottle would be better. As for a cause, a gill biopsy would be the first stop to rule in/out parasites or bacterial gill disease. Test and correct water quality. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Nemo. Have you tested water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates? Having difficulty breathing is a common cause for raising to the surface to breath. Gills can be damaged by poor water quality, disease (parasites, bacteria, viruses), toxins and more, so determining a diagnosis will help with a treatment plan. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Correct water quality, provide more oxygen via an airstone. Good luck.

I am sorry your goldfish passes away. IT is most likely nothing you did wrong. I would be concerned that the fish was sick before you every purchased it. Sometimes from local pet stores the fish are sick and the stress of transport can cause them to pass. I would contact the pet store and ask them if they have had any other fish pass away. I am so sorry for your loss

Sorry to hear this, sadly I think he might not be able to make it... when they do start to float around like this it means they are passing away. Have you had him for a long time ? Did you have any concerns ? Has anything changed recently ?

Check the temperature and make sure the water is not too hot (heater defective?), check the pH and also the hardness and make sure they are within the parameters needed for your fish. Change 1/3 of the tank's water. Check the filter and make sure it is not plugged up with a lot of food and poop. Rinse the filter in warm water (same temperature as the water in the tank) so you do not kill off the good bacteria which keep the water clean. Check Nitrite(toxic) and nitrate (not toxic) levels. All this should help you ensure the perfect environment for your fish. If you do not have way to oxygenate the water you may want to extend the return pipe of your filter to the surface or above the surface of the water in order to make it integrate oxygen from the air.