Danios panicking

[Eunen_de]

My Danios used to be pretty laid back even though they had nowhere to hide. After they got a bigger tank with hiding spots they began startling occasionally and hiding. They seemed OK in the 20g (again not many hiding spots) with the Betta but the 20g got a crack in it when my younger son ran into it so I had to move them. The move must've stressed them because the next time I came in the room they flipped. Started bouncing off the walls, then clumped together. The poor Betta came down to investigate and got pinned in the corner by panicking Danios, then he got scared and nipped one in the face (not hard- there isn't a mark on her). I yanked him out just in case. Then the Danios all hid and hyperventilated for 15-20 minutes. I thought they would all have heart attacks (except the young one who was least panicked and came out pretty quickly). I had to turn the lights out to get it to stop.

I have never seem them so bad and they keep doing it everytime I walk in the room! That's a pretty long memory. Is having to move them or do anything in the tank going to be this stressful for them all the time now? Is this normal as they get older? Did I just luck out and get Danios with panic attacks?

Karen

 

[Lateral Line]

Moving fish often upsets them, it can take a while for them to settle again. Keeping the lights off helps.

If they have been moved into a larger tank, they may well feel less secure. Big tanks with open spaces are scary for small fish as large predators lurk "out there", indeed, you may well see them shoaling tightly together as this is the normal behaviour in threatneing environments.

I'm sure they'll settle given time. How long is it since they were moved?

 

[Macracantha]

Sometimes it takes days for fish to settle down after being netted and moved etc...you are doing the right things...I'm sure they'll settle soon!

 

[Iron Man]

I've never had a fish that didn't truely hate my guts and fear my every move shortly after moving it....ok besides goldfish.

As long as you are feeding them regularly...they quickly forgive...some sooner than others. Just be patient...and try to avoid having to move them again (although it was an accident this time).

David