Erratic Behaviour

[Bluemoon78]

Hi all,

I'm a little confused Though not sure if it something to worry about.

Very recently (last week or so) whenever I approach the tank my golden barbs and black widow start to swim around very erratically and then hide in the plants etc. This only happens when I walk up to the tank, not all the time.

They used to be very inquisitive and come to the front of the tank when I was near, although this behaviour is not apparent in the morning at feeding time!

Does anyone have any ideas, and is it something that I should worry about?

Just seems strange this has just started to happen.

Thanks very much,

 

[Teelie]

Sounds like they're just skittish. Are there any other people, pets or objects they might see moving around the room? Sometimes that kind of stuff startles them.

 

[Bluemoon78]

Thanks very much for responding Teelie,

Nothing has changed recently that can explain this skitting. Can't understand the sudden change...

The fish still seem to be fine and are not showing any other signs of distress so can only assume it is as you suggest, they've become skittish

 

[mikster]

Maybe they are just less used to you, When you first set your tank up you are always there looking it at because its something new, and the fish are new to there enviroment and are inquisitive about it more i guess which includes being inquisitive about you, maybe now they dont see you as often as before and just see you as something strange in the environment they are now settled into. Just one possible angle on it, my fish seem more scared of me now for some reason, my gourami used to take food out my hand and now he doesnt, no clue why.

 

[WILDER]

If they wasnt doing it before something is wrong.
Darting about can mean parasites to bad water quality.
And hiding away can mean something wrong.
Do you have cats in the house.

Darting
Water quality problems, skin parasites, drug side effects, stray voltage in the tank

 

[Tommy Gunnz]

Can you give us a better idea of how many and what types of fish you have? Also, what size tank and what type of set up such as a more 'open' type tank with few places for fish to hide, or are there many places?

Also, what type of lighting do you use and how do they turn on or how do you turn them on and off? Are they on timers? Is the tank in a room that is generally very dark if the lights are off in the room and on the tank or is the tank open to some natural light such as a window?

Also, is the tank located near or touching anything that would vibrate such as a TV stand or stereo speaker? While noise does not really travel well through water, if anything that makes noise like a TV or speaker is in direct contact with the tank or stand, the vibrations can be 'felt' in the water. I had a tank next to my TV's surround sound subwoffer at one time and my fish would just dissapear everytime I turned on the TV because of this effect. I moved the speaker like 3 inches away and the problem was solved.

I think you may have an issue with the lights just popping on in the morining and scarring the fish a bit. This can actually make the fish pretty 'skittish' all day and they only really feel safe when the lights are off. Try turning on another light in the room for a couple of minutes before turning on the tank lights. Or, if you have multiple lights on your tank such as two hood lights, turn one on, wait a few minutes, and turn on the other. If your fish run to the darker side, this would be good evidence of the phenomenon I am talking about. You may look into a timer for either the tank's lights, or for another light in the room to come on, slightly illuminating the tank a bit more, about half an hour before your usual feeding time.

Otherwise, I have heard that some more 'risky' stocking can create situations like this. A good example would be having a more aggressive fish that would rest more at night time, letting the other fish relax and swim about more. Then, when the lights come on, the fish get jumpy and stressed because it is a sign that the meaner fish is going to wake up. I thought this idea was a big joke at first until the article I read about it in used the ability of fish to know when you are about to feed them as an example of this learned behavior.

Hope this helps a little bit. I am just making some pretty big guesses here because I dont know your whole sitiuation. More info would help to get yourself a better, more pointed answer.

 

[Bluemoon78]

Thanks very much for your replies guys. Sorry I haven't responded sooner, been working away for a few days.

The fish are absolutely fine now

Sorry for not supplying more info at the start. Just thought there may have been some common reason for this....

Looked at the descriptions of the symptoms for lots of diseases / parasites etc but none matched, hence the question. Was a little baffled...
The water stats are fine and there haven't been any new additions (these fish have been together for around two years now). I have no other animals although my Dad has been around this week laying tiles....with a dog!
Think it may have been the little mutt now though thinking of it, too much of a coincidence

I will be upgrading the tank very soon to a 4x2x2, so will look at the lighting and think will have multiple lights in the tank - thanks Tommy Gunnz, never really thougt about it like that.

Again, thanks very much for your responses, very much appreciated. Hope I can help some day!

Cheers

Just re-read my post and want to point out the dog wasn't actually laying the tiles with my Dad.... just with him!!