Fish have become frightened

G

grayson

AC Members
Oct 5, 2004
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Hello,

Hopefully someone can help. I have a 33 gallon tank with Platys and Swords. The tank has been set up since Aug and is completely cycled.

All has been well up until 2 days ago. I noticed 2 fish were acting "shy". One was a rather plump female who I thought might be having babies,which she was.

The next day (yesterday) all seemed well in fact I did the weekly maintenance - changing water etc. The fish were their regular friendly selves. In fact when I had my hand in the tank and few of them (I have 11 ) brushed against my hand.

I noticed something was wrong in the evening. They had all disappeared. Whenever I approached the aquarium they "freaked". Almost to the point of bashing themselves against the glass. I also have 3 corys and they are also "freaking". Up and down, up and down the glass. They did this when I first put them in for about a day or two and then settled down.

I don't know what to do. I turned the light off last evening in the hopes they would settle down a bit but it doesn't seem to have helped.

I thought maybe feeding them and standing in front of the aquarium while they ate would help get them used to me again.They will dart out for a nibble of food and then disappear again. A few of them will not come out at all - even to eat.I don't know what to do. The aquarium is in the living room and that's where I plan to keep it as I enjoy watching them..... or should I say DID enjoy watching them???

Can anybody offer advice as to how to get them calmed down ?

Thanks in advance.......grayson

PS There is only myself and another adult in the house so it's not like children are constantly poking at them through the glass.
 
did you make any changes too your tank (add new filters or anything?). it might also be internal parasites which were introduced somehow. They tend to make fish act funny...
 
Have you tested your water quality? That might offer some answers. Did you wash your hands with anything prior to putting them in the tank during maintenance? Did you introduce anything new to the tank (decorations, filters, plants)?

For whatever reason, they may have just been spooked by something and will settle down in a couple days when they realize they are safe from danger. My zebra danios had a similar reaction one night when I cleaned the outside glass on the tank. It must have made a sound inside the tank that completely freaked them out and all 7 suddenly raced for cover, wedging themselves into every nook and cranny and refusing to come out. It took a couple of days for them to calm down and now nothing bothers them.
 
Thanks for the advice. I now have one "brave" platy swimming about and the others will come out - briefly. A start. I'm trying to walk slowly in front of the aquarium and they still "freak out" but not as much - except "Brave Heart" ...LOL"

My ammonia is zero, nitrites - zero and trace nitrate. My pH is about 7.3. No change from several days ago. There aren't any new decorations/filters etc.

I think I'll just "play it cool" for the next few days and try not to move suddenly in front of the aquarium.

Again thanks for the advice. Any other stories are welcome. I was glad to hear that they can become frightened and come around again.

grayson
 
I keep my tank on a sideboard (25 gallons) in my kitchen. There is always alot of movement in their, my daughter is 18, plays head banger music, tv on etc... My platys love it and are always at the glass when they see movement.
pearl gourami are a bit shier and come to the window when its quieter and show themselves waving up and down for attention. The cories do their own thing not seeming to notice a hand or even the gravel vac, the albino has gotten sucked up a few times lol, but I always see her in time.

Platys are little Mexican attention seekrs, always looking for a handout.
I'm surprised yours are shy. Maybe something got into the water. Rinse your hands before yu put them in, and wash them only well after your done.
 
You might want to check your heater too, there is a possibility there is a stray electrical current in the water. That will cause the fish to freak out, I think I would too lol. Just unplug it, let it sit in the tank to cool more to be on the safe side than anything, and then take it out and make sure there aren't any cracks in the glass. If there is, its time to get a new heater.
 
First I want to thank everyone for the advice. My fish have "come around" a bit. You can now walk slowly in front of the aquarium and they don't freak. Now I have another problem that I know I brought on myself. Live and learn.

Here it is. Two of my females had babies and I decided I would have to over feed for a while so that food would drop to the bottom to feed them. I know...I know ...I can hear you all groaning from here :-) STUPID move - I agree. Now I have a "lovely" shade of murky white /grey throughout the tank. Bacterial bloom to be sure. The fish don't seem to be a bit bothered by this and remain healthy. Phew !

My ammonia is still zero, Nitrates - zero, Nitrites - trace and pH about 7.2.

The only product I can buy locally is Hagen / Nutrafin B- Clear. I tried half a dose of that as I read that using these products will cause the ammonia to rise. I've also read that doing nothing is best and it will go away in a few days. Ha ! The bloom in my tank is getting worse and worse daily. I can no longer see the back of the tank.

I have a Fluval 204 cannister filter. Last night I changed the carbon and replaced the sponge filters. I left the media alone as I need the "good" bacteria. I also changed 10 % of the water and vacuumed (python) a corner of the aquarium gravel where I thought some of the food might be sitting.

Questions - How long does this last and should I continue to python/vaccum and replace water ? I've also read that this is not wise.Should I try a full dose of Hagen B Clear ?

Oh yes...I am no longer feeing too much. In fact if anything I am underfeeding.

13 platys/swords in a 33 gallon aquarium. I've removed as many babies as I could and now the water is too cloudy to see them.

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

grayson
 
I think, 50% water changes bi-weekly or prn, as needed. Don't add anything to the water. Reduce feeding. (Is what I'd do, but wait for other answers please.)
My experience with platys tells me not to worry. These guys are pretty hardy. :)

There was no need to change the carbon unless it was 6 months old or crumbling (I think). Just rinse your sponge in the water you remove from the aquarium to take off the sludge, never rinse it under the tap. :)
 
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