Tigrinus Climbing the Walls - Something Wrong?

[cunniculus]

I've had my tig for about 6 months. He seems to be doing fine. I'm pretty sure he's eating (though competition is tough right now).

Anyway, he was in a 10 gallon when I first got him at 3". After a few days he started "climbing" the aquarium walls. Just like a stingray, he swims with his belly against the glass all day with his nose in the air.

I moved him to a 75g (temporary housing before his next home - 210g) and he started climbing after a day of being in the tank. All day and night.

What's going on with this guy? He seems healthy but his behavior is kind of weird. Anyone see this in tigs before?

Thanks

[piranha45]

chasing his reflection. all fish do it, especially after large waterchanges or changes of environment

[M|L]

Actually that's a normal behavior as far as I know.

Infact, I just received a baby tigrinus 15 minutes ago and it's now doing the same thing.

I had a tigrinus last year which display the same behavior. I wouldn't worry too much as long as the fish is healthy and eating.

[cunniculus]

I don't think so. This is constant. For hours and hours and days and days. It's just like what the ray does when he's hungry.

And there shouldn't be any reflection at night and he was up all night doing it.

[piranha45]

they're a nocturnal specie, tho i dunno if that means they have nocturnal-quality vision. anyway my cats always did it too, if my other fish can chase their reflections i dont see why catfish cant...

[cunniculus]

That's comforting MIL. How long did you have the older tig that did the same thing? Do you know if it stops when they get older?

I can't imagine they do it all the time when they're 20" long! ;)

[cunniculus]

I also heard of a friend's tig that did the same thing right before it died. I doubt that this is indicative of a problem because he's seems fine but still climbs and has been doing it for months!

[M|L]

The old tigrinus I had stopped doing that after a week or so after I got him. But everytime he feels scared or threatened, he'll "climb" the tank walls again.

I think by providing a nice hide-out for the fish will help.

[rayman45]

dont worry
they all do that
i owned 5 of them
'all did it

[cunniculus]

Thanks for the suggestion, Ming.

I'm starting to feel stupid for worrying about it, I guess. I just like the pics of everyone's big tigs lying on the bottom looking cool!

[aapl76]

Thanks for the suggestion, Ming.

I'm starting to feel stupid for worrying about it, I guess. I just like the pics of everyone's big tigs lying on the bottom looking cool!

hi!!! what i suggest is that you place a driftwood or hideout for your tig. maybe i am wrong, but when a tig display e belly dancing trend, it indicates that she might be stress. this happened when my tig was about 6" and she was surrounded by giants...she started the belly dancing trend. i added in some hideouts for her and it solved all my problems.....cheers!!!! hope that it helps... :)

[redtailfool]

its normal they do scale the walls or try to push the edge of the aquarium.
Provide some hiding spots like the guys said.

[cunniculus]

aapl76: Thank you for your suggestion and information about your tig. I will be moving mine to a larger tank soon where there is more room for him and I will make sure he has some place to hide. I hope the suggestion works. I will keep you guys updated

[Aimhigher38]

I think that normal too...Ive seen my tigs do that all the time too....I used to have a big one that did the same thing and never had any problems with him...

[aapl76]

aapl76: Thank you for your suggestion and information about your tig. I will be moving mine to a larger tank soon where there is more room for him and I will make sure he has some place to hide. I hope the suggestion works. I will keep you guys updated

no worries.. :welcome: ....i removed the hideouts when she was about 10"...after that, all seems well for her....hope that it will work out for ya too....any pixs of her????? :)

[freeform]

like what aapl76 mentioned, you need to put in some wood or rock for your tig to hide. its under stress bro. last time mine did this...... it died after a few days. be careful.

[cunniculus]

all good suggestions and I'll follow the advice given. No pictures yet (no camera :( ) but I'll try and get a friend to shoot some shots. Can't wait till he blows up!

[ezman]

hi!!! what i suggest is that you place a driftwood or hideout for your tig. maybe i am wrong, but when a tig display e belly dancing trend, it indicates that she might be stress. this happened when my tig was about 6" and she was surrounded by giants...she started the belly dancing trend. i added in some hideouts for her and it solved all my problems.....cheers!!!! hope that it helps... :)

yes, i strongly agreed with what he has mentioned!!

When Tig's starts doing this....that means the little fellow is stress or frightened....therefore, the best is find a hidout for the little fellow....once he has settled down, you wont get to see the tig doing the climbing again......

[balton777]

chasing his reflection. all fish do it, especially after large waterchanges or changes of environment

lol I was searching Tig info and read this post. I guess by now you must know where a Tigrinus' eyes are located so it can't be seeing it's reflection on the glass when wall dancing lol.

[wonword]

for some reason I thought they did this because they love current, and if there is no current they do this to stimulate swimming against a current. But all catfish love hiding spots, so provide hiding spots for him, but if he still does this after he has options, and is still eating well and the water quality is good, i wouldnt worry about it.