So...we have a 45 gallon fish tank. We did the whole cycle through yada yada yada. Anywho, yesterday we went and got our fish. One in which is a catfish. Hes not HUGE but hes a good size one. Not a baby. Well, earlier I smelt something funny. Like something rotten. The closer I got to the fish tank the worse it was. So put my nose up to the water and low and behold that was it. It STINKS. My house now stinks. What did I do wrong? Is it the catfish? 

I am by far a fish person... But I've never had this problem. Not even with 6 tanks in my house that are 45-65 gallon tanks.
I CAN tell you it is NOT the catfish. They don't smell anymore fishy than any other type of fish.

Check your filtration, make sure there aren't any dead fish stuck anywhere... 

Andrea,
Thats what I thought about first was a dead fish. Thats what it smells like BUT all fish are accounted for. Ugh! The smell is horrible but mostly I dont want it to kill the fish! 

I highly doubt it will kill the fish. Every tank has a "fishy smell" when you stand right over it, but you shouldn't be able to smell it otherwise. If it is stinking up your house, there is definitely something going on... lol 

Yea we have another tank and of course it has that "fishy smell" but this is beyond it. Im at a loss. 

Hmmm. Is your filter system working properly? Have you cleaned your gravel and such?

I don't think our tank (we had one in the States) has ever smelled. 

My husband came home at lunch along with a friend and checked the filters, vaccumed gravel and did a little water change. However, its still bad. *Sigh* I am bummed. 

We just got the fish last night so the gravel was not bad or anything. It hasnt even been 24hrs with fish in it. It was fine until we added fish. 

Would charcoal help with the odor? 

A few other ideas-do you have live plants? Could those be rotting? How about overfeeding? And, is your filter the right size for the tank? 

You forgot to give the fish a bath! You need to take him out and wash him well...then the smell will go away. 

Maybe the fish are allergic to the water? lol

Are you sure its the fish that is making the house smell.


We just got the fish last night so the gravel was not bad or anything. It hasnt even been 24hrs with fish in it. It was fine until we added fish.

Have you ever had fish? Maybe its just really strong if you haven't ever had any fish 

Have you ever had fish? Maybe its just really strong if you haven't ever had any fish

No, something is definitely wrong if she can pinpoint a smell to a fish tank. Ours never smelled at all. Maybe a bit of an odd odor if you were standing with your nose hovering above the water, but even that wasn't stinky. 

Well, I talked to some people and they recommended charcoal. So we put that in and we will see how it goes. Someone mentioned it could be the pellets for the catfish that gave off that smell but who knows! Hopefully, this works! 

Please tell me that you went out and grabbed a couple chunks of Kingsford! 


OMFG....I laughed so hard I farted!!!! 

Yea Mr. God thats totally what I did. No, im not that dumb. I know what charcoal is for a fish tank. However, Im sure there is someone out there that has done that:)