My 75 is filled with large Africans (haps) and anytime I turn on the main light in the room with the tanks; the fish freak and slam into the sides of the tank. It is like the whole flock follows one scared fish until things calm down. I leave a closet light on all night in the room. My male Red Empress even injured his flank when he ran into a rock. Maybe I need a bigger tank for all of them. Somebody is going to get hurt! Any ideas? I try to move slowly in the room. It is OK in the Summer because the sun comes up early. This morning at 5:00 am, they really freaked.
Fish keep slamming into sides of tank?
- Thread starter tanapseudes
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maybe you can look into installing a dimmer switch for that room, that way you can slowly adust the light so they don't freak out but you can still see.
The fish are not new. They have been in the tank about a year.The dimmer switch may be a good idea. It is the room light coming on that is scaring them before the tank light comes on. Happy Thanksgiving
I might try a timer in conjunction w/ possibly some 'moon' lights. Set the timer to turn on & off just after sunrise & just before sunset. That might ease the darkness to light transition. Your regular room lights & of course the 'moon' lights will keep them from ever being in total darkness so less chance of shock. Give them a minute & their internal clocks will adjust. Most fish don't really need a whole lot of bright light, that's mostly for our viewing pleasure. Some are more light tolerant than others but none of them like sudden changes, it spooks them. Mine had to adjust to my dog's sudden loud barking when the doorbell rang, now it's like they don't even hear him. I'm sure they'll be fine. Didn't ask but will assume your water parameters are ok. (if not that could easily make your fish more sensitive) Good luck, "T"
I just always turn on lamps in the rooms to get the fish adjusted to light. Mine are pretty heavy sleepers ( :thud: ) and I hate to startle them!! Especially as they get bigger--sure can't deal with a busted tank first thing in the morning! 
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) and I hate to startle them!! Especially as they get bigger--sure can't deal with a busted tank first thing in the morning! :