Arowana Gone Nocturnal!

[EmrePekdeniz]

Hi folks,

This is my setup:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=380485

Previously, I had a problem with my juvie arowana (9'') being extremely skittish and refusing food for a week. That problem is over now. However, it has developed a rather disturbing habit. My arowana has gone nocturnal! When the lights are on, the fish retreats to its safe spot behind the island and waits all day long. Occasionally it swims out, studying the room intently, then withdraws again. When I return home, I sometimes catch my arowana quickly running away as soon as it spots me. When the lights are off, the fish comes out and starts swimming as normal, looking for food.

How do I avoid this kind of behaviour? My water parameters are fine, I have zero ammonia and less than 1 mg/lt nitrate, thanks to my water hyacinths. Temperature 28-29 C. There are some tankmates, but they are all smaller than the arowana.

 

[realfish]

No expert but in my opinion the larger the tank the better and having a group seems to cause them to be less skittish. Major draw back to this is the need for larger tanks.

 

[Bderick67]

Your aro won't come out in the day because it is does not feel secure. As I stated before the shape of the tank and the shallow water only contributes to this.

 

[EmrePekdeniz]

I've done what I could, including removing the large pleco, and the arowana's mood improved somewhat. I can sort of handfeed it now, and it no longer dashes/jumps like mad. The way it runs away from me (except feeding time) hurts my feelings though, lol.

 

[Fai]

My Aro had developed that behavior as well .. hide all day and roam while lights were out. Did it for a month and then naturally became normal. No idea why; but love its elegance dominance in the tank.

 

[jclyde13]

Your aro won't come out in the day because it is does not feel secure. As I stated before the shape of the tank and the shallow water only contributes to this.

+1

My Aro had developed that behavior as well .. hide all day and roam while lights were out. Did it for a month and then naturally became normal. No idea why; but love its elegance dominance in the tank.

Also +1

To the OP: I saw in you other thread that you were considering getting a TT of fire eel, but you would have to get rid of either species after a few months (they both grow to 36"+ and need a much larger/better footprint). Your tank would be great for most bottom dwelling fish under 14", though (like small/medium-sized catfish, any of the spiny eels of the Macrognathus genus, the smaller upper-jaw bichirs, etc.)

 

[EmrePekdeniz]

My Aro had developed that behavior as well .. hide all day and roam while lights were out. Did it for a month and then naturally became normal. No idea why; but love its elegance dominance in the tank.

That's interesting! Arowanas in nature aren't nocturnal AFAIK so I assume they must return to normal sooner or later.

To the OP: I saw in you other thread that you were considering getting a TT of fire eel, but you would have to get rid of either species after a few months (they both grow to 36"+ and need a much larger/better footprint). Your tank would be great for most bottom dwelling fish under 15", though (like medium-sized catfish, any of the spiny eels of the Macrognathus genus, most upper-jaw bichirs, etc.)

Thanks for the advice. I'm planning to remove the arowana by summer, that's one reason I got the other babies, so that they can grow by the time the arowana leaves.