Fish Huddle In Corners

[brooksie]

I am not sure what is going on with my fish???
30 gallon
3 platys
1 swordtail
1 dwarf grami
6 neons
1 algae eater
2 septia tetras
some live and fake plants
piece of drift wood
The problem is that the platys and septias huddle together in the corner next to some plants. They swim out when they feed and at night. They have been doing this for a while. It is so weird cause they come out at night and to eat. They seem scared. The neons and algae eater seem fine and swim around. All my water tests are 0 and they tank has been cycled for some time. They all look fine. No visible signs of illness. Any Ideas out there. Please help!!!!!!!

 

[phlawed]

usually when fish hide under plants or in corners it is becuase of the light or possibly one of the fish is preditor to it. I think some others will be able to handle this in more detail. Are there any caves or peices of wood they can hide under besides the corners covered by plants?

 

[brooksie]

usually when fish hide under plants or in corners it is becuase of the light or possibly one of the fish is preditor to it. I think some others will be able to handle this in more detail. Are there any caves or peices of wood they can hide under besides the corners covered by plants?

Yes they hide under a few plants in the corner. I recently upgraded my light hood to a double bright. It went from a 30 watt tank to a 60 watt tank. I didn't think the light would bother them. I got the new light fixture because my plants needed more light. The plants kept dying so I got more light. I don't think there is a predator among them. The algae eater sits right next to them in the corner sometimes. Maybe I will try and put my old hood on and see what happens. I really wanted to have live plants, but I don't want to sacrifice my fish for them.

 

[The-Wolf]

Fish are skittish and shy could be an indication of....

1) Poor watery quality. check water params

2) High levels of organic pollution. check filter is clean, not gunked up

3) Ectoparasite infestation. check for parasites, look at gills

4) Early stage of bacterial disease. watch for flashing/flicking rapid gill movements etc

however it could also be they are just not used to your new light level, in which case they will get used to it in time.

 

[silver tipped]

Hi,

I have a platy and she too hides under the filter. However she is pregnant and about to give birth any day, so she is just getting away from it all.

What kind of algae eater do you have? I used to have 2 gold algae eaters AKA cjinese algae eater and they terroised my platies.

You mention that the algae eater 'sits by them'. Could he be bullying them?

I agree with The-Wolf, check your water and filters ect but also check the algae is a nice one.

 

[brooksie]

Hi,

I have a platy and she too hides under the filter. However she is pregnant and about to give birth any day, so she is just getting away from it all.

What kind of algae eater do you have? I used to have 2 gold algae eaters AKA cjinese algae eater and they terroised my platies.

You mention that the algae eater 'sits by them'. Could he be bullying them?

I agree with The-Wolf, check your water and filters ect but also check the algae is a nice one.

It is a chinese algae eater. He sits different places in the tank and sometimes is near the platys. I never see them fight or chase each other. All my water and filters are good. Do fish stores usually take fish back? I have had the aglae eater for a few months.

 

[silver tipped]

Hi,

My cae's started off ok with the other fish then as they grew became quite aggressive. They would chase the other fish away from certain patches of the tank. I have read that if there is not enough algae in the tank they will attack the slime coat and even the eyes of other fish. They also grow quite big - 10" or so. I only had a 15g tank so I was never going to be able to keep them anyway.

My lfs took mine back without any questions. I just explained that they were becoming to aggressive.

I think that the best algae eaters, if you want them, are ottos or bristlenose.