fish gather at top of tank

[Pete7]

It's hard to say, there are a lot of possibilities mentioned. But a few others might be water params. Since they are gasping for air or breathing heavily, I doubt it's an ammonia spike. It can't hurt to check.
Another possibility could be water temps. When water is cool, I've noticed sometimes my fish will look to warm up near the light.
But I think the strongest possibility is looking for food. Is that area a typical feeding spot?

Anyway if I see a change in behavior I check everything to be sure.

With the 2 filters going as soon as i put food in it spreads around the tank, but id say most of it does head in that direction. All water check are fine but i have noticed it seems to be the calmest part of the tank where the flow is probably at its least. I dont know if that would make any diffrence, but thinking of it the food does seem to stay in that corner longer than anywhere else in the tank.

 

[Toiletcar]

With the 2 filters going as soon as i put food in it spreads around the tank, but id say most of it does head in that direction. All water check are fine but i have noticed it seems to be the calmest part of the tank where the flow is probably at its least. I dont know if that would make any diffrence, but thinking of it the food does seem to stay in that corner longer than anywhere else in the tank.

I feed mine at the right side of the tank. If mine see me across the room, they all flock to the upper right of the tank lol. They won't leave for a while. They all eventually go back to lower levels of the tank.

 

[Pete7]

I feed mine at the right side of the tank. If mine see me across the room, they all flock to the upper right of the tank lol. They won't leave for a while. They all eventually go back to lower levels of the tank.

My acara comes to the right front side of the tank and im sure he watches us while we watch tv. Ive probably never noticed their behaviour as much because my tank was in a diffrent room. Now its in the main room i get to watch alot more, i notice all the fish follow the acara around the only slight problem fish is the firemouth. She can harrass the rainbow from time to time, no real biting just chasing

 

[Toiletcar]

My acara comes to the right front side of the tank and im sure he watches us while we watch tv. Ive probably never noticed their behaviour as much because my tank was in a diffrent room. Now its in the main room i get to watch alot more, i notice all the fish follow the acara around the only slight problem fish is the firemouth. She can harrass the rainbow from time to time, no real biting just chasing

That could be it-the firemouth. They will harass other fish without damaging them. Sometimes keeping even larger fish at one end of the tank. I had this happen when a firemouth kept a 13" melanura at one end of the tank.

 

[Pete7]

That could be it-the firemouth. They will harass other fish without damaging them. Sometimes keeping even larger fish at one end of the tank. I had this happen when a firemouth kept a 13" melanura at one end of the tank.

Normally id take it to the lfs but it was the 1st fish i purchased when i had a smaller tank. While theres no damage to any fish i might see how she goes. All the others go top corner for a break lol

 

[Pete7]

 

[Pete7]

View attachment 1276560

Not the best pic as i was some distance away

 

[Toiletcar]

Normally id take it to the lfs but it was the 1st fish i purchased when i had a smaller tank. While theres no damage to any fish i might see how she goes. All the others go top corner for a break lol

I don't see why you should take it back. As the others grow, things will change.
Looks like you have a lot of hiding spots and nice looking tank btw.

 

[Pete7]

I don't see why you should take it back. As the others grow, things will change.
Looks like you have a lot of hiding spots and nice looking tank btw.

Thanks ive put lots of places to hide but they all seem keen on the one place lol i mix it up when i change the water so none of the fish get to claim a certain spot in the tank. Its worked so far