Problem with Ornates and my heater...

[Keeper of the Ropes]

I have a 20gal with 3 inch bichirs in it... 2 senegals, 2 ornates and a p. polli... lots of places to hide, plants to play in... nice tank to use as a grow out. I put a heater in the tank two days ago, and none of them pay any attention to it... except both ornates. They refuse to leave it alone, and do their best to squeeze between the glass and the heater halfway up the glass to rest for hours. Every time I see it, I shake the heater and they swim off only to return seconds later. What's the deal? Anyone have heat-happy ornates or have any ideas on how I can stop them? I obviously don't want them to fry themselves. I already had to turn the setting down on it so it only kicks on @ 68 degrees which isn't ideal by any means.

Maybe they're tryin to fake n bake and be pretty little ornate girls

 

[is300zx]

One thing you can do is make a heater guard so that your bichirs don't get heater burn. You can make one out of pvc and just put a bunch of holes in it so water can pass through your heater but not your bichir.

 

[beblondie]

option #1 heater guards
option#2 if its a totaly submersible heater do not suction cup it to the glass just letit sit
in the water

 

[Keeper of the Ropes]

Thanks guys - I'm going to try to guard & if that doesn't work I'll just let it float around.

 

[Vargur]

You could also add more suction cups so the fish cant get themselves behind the heater.