Mine freaks out alot. Breaths really heavy seems whenever I come close to the tank, but when I am far away he's fine. Unlike my rtc x tsn hybrid which breaths rather slow. Scares me sometimes how slow he breaths. If you are that worried I'd say increase aireation. That's what I did for mine and it seems to freak less and breath a little easier. Still eats like a champ though mostly after lights out. Seems like mine's personality is more like some of the marble catfish I have had in the past than it is like the rtc.