Back Of The Tank

shortymet55 · Jun 25, 2008

Why do all my fish hang out at the back of the tank. I have 4 Rasboras and 9 Cardinal Tetras in my tank. They both stay in groups and swim back and forth behind all my plants. Its annoying. There always hidden.
THanks

Colin_T · Jun 25, 2008

They are stressed out and don't feel secure. The plants offer them a place to hide. Make sure you have a backing on the tank and don't stand too close ot the tank. In time the fish will adjust to their new home and should spend more time out in the open. Poor water quality (ammonia or nitrite readings) will also cause them to hide among the plants.

shortymet55 · Jun 25, 2008

This is for my old tank. There are plenty of plants I hope. I mean they act happy. They eat well, they swim as a group. And my water stats are normal. 0 ammonia, 0 Nitrites. One more thing. They do spend most hte time in the open. I have plants on the left and right and alittle fake wood thing in the middle, they stay in the open center, just in the open behind the wood thing,

Colin_T · Jun 25, 2008

If the fish tank is in a quiet room where not many people go past it, that could be a problem. If the fish spend most of the time without any movement around them they tend to become shy whenever anyone goes near them or the tank. This can be overcome by moving the tank into a spot where more people move past it. Alternatively have a television on during the day. the light and movement from the tv shows will help the fish settle down and become more relaxed when people actually walk past the tank.

piranha_tim · Jun 25, 2008

When you turn off the light do you find they use more of the tank?

shortymet55 · Jun 26, 2008

hmm, thats a very good test, the lights thing. Also, they are in my room, which is empty when Im away. However, most the time I spend at home is in my room on my computer, which is near the tank.