Dweller are dwelling at bottom of tank

[sbloxy123]

Hello
I have a Green Terror and blood parrot in a 240l / 60 gal tank with Congo tetras and buenos aires tetras.
Water conditions are fine.
But the congos and buenos aires are staying at the bottom.
I use to have zebra danios which swam right at the top but they've all been eaten now.
Do you think this is why they are swimming low?? Do my dither fish need dither fish? Lol?
Thinking of giving them away and having more of a wet pet setup..
I have attached a low quality pic.
Thanks,
Stuart

 

[tlindsey]

Hello
I have a Green Terror and blood parrot in a 240l / 60 gal tank with Congo tetras and buenos aires tetras.
Water conditions are fine.
But the congos and buenos aires are staying at the bottom.
I use to have zebra danios which swam right at the top but they've all been eaten now.
Do you think this is why they are swimming low?? Do my dither fish need dither fish? Lol?
Thinking of giving them away and having more of a wet pet setup..
I have attached a low quality pic.
Thanks,
Stuart

View attachment 1348914

The current may be too strong for them made by the wave maker. I'm just guessing. How long have you had them?

 

[BichirKing]

The current may be too strong for them made by the wave maker. I'm just guessing. How long have you had them?

my thoughts as well! when I put a powerhead in my 55g the Buenos stayed at the bottom away from the current or hid behind the wood. took it out and they went back to their old ways.

 

[sbloxy123]

Thanks.. Its not the wavemaker. ive had them for 3 or 4 months now and they were out with the wavemaker on previously. The light is off now and they are out at the top again. It must be the light?! Really odd because they weren't phased before.
I would get more danios but as the green terror grows, they will get eaten even quicker! Lol
Maybe the terror doesn't suit small dither fish.?

 

[tlindsey]

Thanks.. Its not the wavemaker. ive had them for 3 or 4 months now and they were out with the wavemaker on previously. The light is off now and they are out at the top again. It must be the light?! Really odd because they weren't phased before.
I would get more danios but as the green terror grows, they will get eaten even quicker! Lol
Maybe the terror doesn't suit small dither fish.?

Ok great to hear it's the light.

 

[Gourami Swami]

I would try floating plants. They will block/absorb some of the light, and give your guys some shade, that does look like a bright tank with the white sand and rocks. Pothos can grow with the roots in the water and the rest out the back of your lid, or could try other floating plants like duckweed, water lettuce, to name a couple.

 

[sbloxy123]

I would try floating plants. They will block/absorb some of the light, and give your guys some shade, that does look like a bright tank with the white sand and rocks. Pothos can grow with the roots in the water and the rest out the back of your lid, or could try other floating plants like duckweed, water lettuce, to name a couple.

Thank you.. Really like your thoughts. Great idea, I've been thinking the tank too clerical!... Time to do some research into plants.
Will the tetras eat the floating plants? I'm happy to trial and error

 

[sbloxy123]

Thank you.. Really like your thoughts. Great idea, I've been thinking the tank too clerical!... Time to do some research into plants.
Will the tetras eat the floating plants? I'm happy to trial and error

I'll do the research into my eating question... Part of the hobby

 

[Gourami Swami]

Large BA tetras have been known to eat plants, but the floating ones less so I believe, at least the species I recommended. Water lettuce has big thick leaves, and is mostly emersed, though they may eat the roots. I think it would definitely be worth a shot though

 

[Stanzzzz7]

How big is the green terror? If its eaten the danios it's my guess the other tetras may be staying low to keep out of sight.
This is especially more likely in a small tank.
I've known green terrors eat fish as large as bleeding heart tetras, half grown b a tetras could also be on the menu.
I know they have speed on their side but it could still be keeping them from swimming in the open.