Skittish Archers

[mjohns]

Hi all hoping somebody can shed some light on this problem of mine. I have two archers one is quite a bit bigger than the other, the biggest is approx 18cm.

The bigger one is worse for skittishness but i think they just both set each other off, eg. the little one flicks his tail and the big one takes off too and vise versa. During w/c quite often they will run into the glass or swim at the glass frantically then stop and sit there.

Im just wondering if this is normal archer behaviour (my other fish are fine) or maybe some paracite or something?

Thankyou all.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

How long have you had them? It sounds like they are very skittish. DO you have proper cover in the tank? Plants and rocks or anything they can feel more secure?

 

[mjohns]

Ive had the little one longer than the big one, ive had the little one probably 5 months and the big one 2 or so months.

I have perspex lids.

6x1.5x1.5 tank

I have added plants and driftwood, doesnt really seem to help.

Most of the time theyre fine, this behaviour only happens sometimes.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Hmm, they may just be extra skittish fish. Lots of fish that are skittish, they get settled in and lose the behavior. Although, sometimes soemthing sets them off. Which is what I think is happening in your case. Even once in awwhile my fish will freak out on occasion if theres a sudden noise or soemthing that suprises/shocks them.


Im thinking when one of yours freaks out the other freaks out too. In this case you just have to be extra careful and not spook the fish. I dont know what else to suggest. There could be ways to help corrrect some of this behavior.


Asking about parasites, are the fish flicking themselves on rocks normally, without being scared? Kinda like as if they are itching? Or they only bump objects and hit glass when they get spooked?

 

[mjohns]

Hmm, they may just be extra skittish fish. Lots of fish that are skittish, they get settled in and lose the behavior. Although, sometimes soemthing sets them off. Which is what I think is happening in your case. Even once in awwhile my fish will freak out on occasion if theres a sudden noise or soemthing that suprises/shocks them.


Im thinking when one of yours freaks out the other freaks out too. In this case you just have to be extra careful and not spook the fish. I dont know what else to suggest. There could be ways to help corrrect some of this behavior.


Asking about parasites, are the fish flicking themselves on rocks normally, without being scared? Kinda like as if they are itching? Or they only bump objects and hit glass when they get spooked?

I noticed that when the fridge flicks on (thermostat) both fish flicker a little, it makes a little noise but maybe theyre being shocked somehow? i dont know just a thought.

The fish are just scared their dont appear to be itchy or anything, just bump the glass and shoot around the tank when scared (eg. moving perspex lids, also when the water level is low)

I guess i can live with it as long as i know they are healthy

Thanks for you time and help.