GT afraid of the light

[dthomasi]

Whenever I turn the light on in my aquarium, my GT swims into his cave (pictured in link) and stays there until the light is off. He might come out maybe once or twice all day. The light is not powerful, just a single aquarium fluorescent bulb from walmart (something like 1 watt per gallon I think) Has anyone had this problem? Any suggestions? After I turn off the light he comes out and enjoys himself.
Thanks!


http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97064

 

[mbunafishkeeper]

perhaps it needs to settle in a bit or maybe its scared because of something else it see's when the light is on??? just a guess.

 

[Tango374]

Place peices of paper or cardboard in between the light and your tank lid, dimming down the light output into the tank by 70-80%. Leave the light on for all hours that you are awake and let him get used to it. Won't take very long with that dim of light. After he's swimming around freely in it for a few days, increase the amount of light going through by 10-20% and repeat the process.

 

[dthomasi]

Alright I'll try that.
Thanks!

 

[Gunza]

my RD is the same, especially when he was in his old tank- whenever the light was on/day time he would hide in his cave, then at night time he would come out and stalk the smaller fishies in the tank. He is slowly getting used to the light in his new tank thou- where he is by himself - Good idea about dimming the light too!

 

[Headrush]

yeah thats a good ide a to dim the light IMO too!

When my Gt and JD were skittish I was turning the lights on in the mornign one day then middle of the day the next etc.... Once I started a routine they got used to it pretty quick. Now its on when I get up and off when I go to bed.

Works well.

Nice GT too BTW

 

[hbluehunter]

Mine did the same thing, i took out one of the bulbs and also left the light on a little more often so they could get used to it. They are fine now but it still shocks my lima for a second everytime i turn on the light. It just takes a little time.

 

[dthomasi]

Thanks for the ideas and the compliments on the fish. I think I'll do a combination of dimming the lights and make sure they are on/off on a set schedule.