Maybe this has something to do with it? Did a test strip and it shows ph 8.4. Total alkalinity 300. Total hardness 300 which shows very hard. Nitrate levels were safe. How can I get these numbers down? And could that be why two of the three fish are constantly bugging out?
Fish swimming against the glass
- Thread starter Texas321
- Start date
Does your water come from the tap like that?
As mentioned before, they aren't stressed, they're excited. That's how they beg for food.
Not sure why they do that, I also have a fish (VATF) that does it quit often. So I put a power head parallel with the front of my glass. He still does it but not as often.
PH, the only way I've done it is by add R.O water. I've tried using chemicals but ph would always swing back up.
PH, the only way I've done it is by add R.O water. I've tried using chemicals but ph would always swing back up.
Yep from the tap. I do agree that fish do that when excited. All my cichlids and oscars have always been that way. But these fish are doing it basically non stop and from my exsperiance and everything I've read it's not like pickerel to do that. They don't dart around and swim all over the place. Plus where they come from I would think the water naturally would be soft. Swamp type areas with a ton of vegetation and wood.
My Balas do the same thing. They both swim up and down the glass, even when they don't see me. I think it's because they see their reflections and are trying to school with them. I don't know much about pickerels, but maybe it's doing the same thing. Maybe it doesn't like the water and it's trying to escape. You'll need an RO/DI unit if it's the water.
Here in GA I have trouble keeping hardness and alkalinity up. I find getting the water perfect to be the hardest part of the hobby. By the time my hardness and alkalinity are fine my pH is very high.
My Lei aro just did it again yesterday and cut the front of his mouth. I think he was mad that I didn't feed him in the morning and when I saw him in the evening he went bonkers hitting glass.
It's all fine until something gets hurt...I hate the sight of it.
It's all fine until something gets hurt...I hate the sight of it.
I just want to throw my 0.2 cents in here for what its worth...
If the fish is glass surfing constantly in one corner / area of the tank then it could maybe mean the fish is stressed out, especially if its doing it to the point where its getting hurt and still not stopping...
On the other hand, if its just something it does very randomly, then i agree it could be due to other reasons such as excitement or possibly seeing its own reflection...
If the fish is glass surfing constantly in one corner / area of the tank then it could maybe mean the fish is stressed out, especially if its doing it to the point where its getting hurt and still not stopping...
On the other hand, if its just something it does very randomly, then i agree it could be due to other reasons such as excitement or possibly seeing its own reflection...
I believe it is stress. It's just non stop even when all the lights are out. I had one awhile back that didn't do it anywhere near like these but all it took was one time. Swimming against the glass and just took off and ran into driftwood and it never recovered. Eyes got cloudy, couldn't eat or swim right. It has to be the water conditions I think. Not sure how to correct it though. I think it has to to with the hardness of the water because where I'm at it's just always extremely hard.
