This is strange

[Joshuakahan]

I have 4 shell dwellers, ornatipinnis, and they had a 55 all to themselves and they were always skittish and hid anytime I got near the tank. I recently moved them to this 10 and they’re much more at ease and interactive and almost never hide. Guess bigger isn’t always better lol

 

[A201]

I think by dimming the lights a little, the fish's activity level might increase even more.
I keep subdued lighting in my tanks. It works well.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

A lot comes into play when analyzing fish behavior and many factors can be surprising but it is very interesting to think these things through and attempt to rationalize them. Good for personal growth in the hobby.

I wonder if the lighting also can play a reverse role. If the light inside the tank is brighter than outside, then it is hard for fish to see outside the tank, just like it is hard for us to look into a dark window and see anything when it is sunny bright outside... But they also feel vibrations of our steps approaching...

The light intensities matter of course. The larger the disparity, the larger the effect of one-way glass / mirror.

 

[Joshuakahan]

A lot comes into play when analyzing fish behavior and many factors can be surprising but it is very interesting to think these things through and attempt to rationalize them. Good for personal growth in the hobby.

I wonder if the lighting also can play a reverse role. If the light inside the tank is brighter than outside, then it is hard for fish to see outside the tank, just like it is hard for us to look into a dark window and see anything when it is sunny bright outside... But they also feel vibrations of our steps approaching...

The light intensities matter of course. The larger the disparity, the larger the effect of one-way glass / mirror.

I was thinking the reason they’re more comfortable in the smaller tank was because of them being tiny prey fish for larger fish and the 55 had. lots of space for them to have to keep an eye for. In this 10, they can see that nothing is stalking them. The lighting was about the same on both tanks. The 55 was in the garage and the 10 is in my kids room

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Interesting. The entirely different location can carry a lot of differences. Garages tend to have chemicals, gasoline, exhaust, detergents, lubricants, fertilizers, etc. etc. and traces of these can make it in the water via dust or vapor and I'd never know what reaction they'd evoke in the fish, except some level of stress can be logical. Reflections in the glass and movements outside the tank also play a role, as does the lighting schedule, etc. The set up inside the tank plays a role.

For all I know, you may be right about the lookout for predators, I simply don't know anything about this aspect, if it is real or not, hence, I rather think of things I can think of...

 

[Joshuakahan]

Interesting. The entirely different location can carry a lot of differences. Garages tend to have chemicals, gasoline, exhaust, detergents, lubricants, fertilizers, etc. etc. and traces of these can make it in the water via dust or vapor and I'd never know what reaction they'd evoke in the fish, except some level of stress can be logical. Reflections in the glass and movements outside the tank also play a role, as does the lighting schedule, etc. The set up inside the tank plays a role.

For all I know, you may be right about the lookout for predators, I simply don't know anything about this aspect, if it is real or not, hence, I rather think of things I can think of...

What just occurred to me was that the 55 was directly across from my 180 predator tank. They were about 8 feet apart but facing each other. Can’t believe I didn’t think of that lol

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Perhaps the predators like you said came into place, but also the fact that they are so small and they have a large tank to themselves, and therefore would most likely be looking out for predators such as you.

 

[Joshuakahan]

Perhaps the predators like you said came into place, but also the fact that they are so small and they have a large tank to themselves, and therefore would most likely be looking out for predators such as you.

Agreed, I’m thinking they were in flight or fight mode to a degree being so small in a larger tank in few numbers and seeing those predators across from them only added to it. I doubt they understood they were separated and probably just thought the predator fish were nearby. It’s amazing how much more at ease they seem now. They’re color is even a little better