Where Should They Be

[squishy_1984]

Hello all
I have 3 swordtails, 4 corydoras and 6 cherry barbs. Most of the time they are swimming about at the bottom of the tank, was wondering if they prefer the bottomof the tank or wether theymight not like the current at the topof the tank. I have a fluval 2 filter with the water jet spraying from the right hand side accross the tank. Would it be better to get a spray bar an get the water as calm as possible?
any help is appreciated.
jon

 

[Durbkat]

How long have they been in the tank? Well the cherry barbs and swordtails are suppost to be somewhere in the middle and top of the tank and the corys are suppost to be on the bottom.

 

[squishy_1984]

swords about a month and a half, coreys 3 weeks, and the barbs went in today

 

[Durbkat]

Well thats normal, the swords are probobly alittle scared of the new comers and the barbs are swimming on the bottom probly because they are new and are alittle scared. Were the swords swimming around the tank in the middle or top before you added the new fish? What is your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph levels?

 

[squishy_1984]

they swim mostly at the bottom. they come up for feeding
ph about 7,
amonia 0
nitrate 40
nitrite 0.5.

had angels in there for a while and they kept the mid section busy but now they're not in there looks like theres no depth to the tank

 

[Durbkat]

Were the swords swimming around the tank in the middle or top before you added the new fish?

What about this?

 

[squishy_1984]

they have always been the same.
they venture up a bit and then shoot straight back down to the bottom

 

[diademhill]

they have always been the same.
they venture up a bit and then shoot straight back down to the bottom

Corys & cherry barbs normally stay near the bottom. Corys will zoom up to the top for air now & then, cherrys only come to the suface for food or if upset. Swordtails normally stay nearer the surface .
Of course. in a river of lake this would put them feet apart but in a tank they will close to the surface or substrate wherever they swim.

 

[squishy_1984]

thanks for the feedback.
much appreciated

jon

 

[tttnjfttt]

they swim mostly at the bottom. they come up for feeding
ph about 7,
amonia 0
nitrate 40
nitrite 0.5.

had angels in there for a while and they kept the mid section busy but now they're not in there looks like theres no depth to the tank

Barbs are notably sensitive to bad water quality. Your nitrates are fairly high, and more worrisome is the nitrIte reading. This should always be zero. I know my tiger barbs go nose down the second there is a slight problem with their water. Try doing some water changes. That should liven things up

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I agree with tttnjfttt, try not to take out more than 60% of water a day and to always use dechlorinator on the water as well though . Nitrites and ammonia should always be 0, while nitrates should be kept preferably under 40- small frequent water changes will lower the ammonia and nitrites, while adding live aquarium plants can lower the nitrates as they naturally absorb them .

 

[squishy_1984]

thanks for the info, will get on it right away. Ill keep an eye on them an report back if there are no changes.
Jon

 

[Katchan]

2 other things to consider as well

sex of your swordies? if they are all male you are in for some aggression between them, this can cause them act out of character (ie swim at the bottom not top). most live bearers do best with 1 male to about 3-4 females.

Do you have any plants/driftwood/ornaments in your tank? By breaking up the bottom a bit you encouarge the fish that are mid/top level swimmers to swim at there normal level most of the time.

nb - in a tank that size you will probably find the swordtails at least utilising most levels of the tank where in a larger tank they would stick to the upper level more

Andrew