Open top tank fish do's and don'ts

[Aussie_hippie_2]

I keep open tops and I've only had one fish jump, my female betta. But it was while feeding and she tends to get a little over excited. She was fine, if a little shocked lol

 

[american_badger]

Bettas are notorious for jumping. I had one for about a day with a hood on the tank and he somehow managed to get out between a very small hole next to the filter. My poor roommate found him under my desk all dried out like a potato chip.

 

[Madcrawdad]

I'll second the swordtails and bettas as jumpers...in addition I'll add Chinese Algae eaters

 

[Aquaken]

thanks Deddo I didn't think the temp diff would make them sick. Of course my house is 74 degrees it can't be THAT bad

 

[hendrixpujols11]

I would also suggest that a fish will jump for a reason. That could be food or it could be water quality / tank conditions or even bullying / territory disputes.

curiosity. some fish are naturally curious

 

[legendaryfrog]

The Labyrintfamily have a different system breathingsystem. They go to the surface of the tank every 2 or 3 minutes to inhale air. The air above your tank should have the same temperature as your water, otherwise they will get sick. The air above an open tank is most likely to be very different (temperature) then your watertemp. So Labyrintfish like goerami's are better of in a hooded tank

can someone please add to this?

would a temperature difference of 3-5*F hurt them?

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Do you have any scientific backing on the Labirynth statement? Because I'd REALLY like to hear it. Even in SE Asia the water would be colder then the outside air. This sounds like bull.... to me.

 

[Madcrawdad]

I've heard that it's a good idea to keep fry tanks of labyrinth breathers covered while the labyrinth is developing to prevent possible problems, but never heard it for mature fish...

 

[Lady G]

sharks.....rainbow, redtail, balas, ect....

 

[bkw1982]

from experiance i would say bettas.........my betta was flaring at me durnin feedin so i opened my mouth as wide as i could and moved slowly toward the tank.....well in the end Cheese(my betta) won. he jumped straight out the water and tried to bite me....scared the crap out of me, GF gotta big kick out it, and i hav a new respect for Cheese. :help: ( i can hear him stalkin the tank at night, he's goin to get me )