Fish freak out when you walk past the tank?

[Super Nova]

Hello,
My two mollies always freak out and jump and dash when someone walks past the tank, and I’m afraid they’ll injure themselves. Is there anything I can put on the front of the tank other than a towel or something that entirely covers the fish? Please let me know if anyone has any ideas, or had the same issue. Thank you

 

[Byron]

This is quite common. It depends upon the placement of the aquarium; if the tank is located in a place where there is some human activity, the fish tend to become used to it, and not see the appearance of a person as a threat. My tanks are in a dedicated fish room, so when I go in the fish do tend to disappear; once I'm there for a time, they are fine. The other aspect is tank décor; fish in tanks that have less "stuff" tend to be more skittish; floating plants, substrate-rooted plants (real or artificial doesn't matter), décor like chunks of wood, etc, all create a more natural environment so fish tend to be less skittish.

Having said that, I wold be concerned if there is actual banging into the tank walls or cover, as this is a bit excessive. There isn't much you can do other than make sure there is lots of "stuff" in the tank. And floating plants really do have a benefit here. Tank lighting is also not that appreciated by fish. Which reminds me of the light...make sure it is not too bright. And don't turn it on and off repeatedly; tank lighting should be on for a period of "daylight" and off the rest of the time, so it is again more natural.

 

[Colin_T]

Have you checked the pH and water chemistry?
A lot of fish get nervous in acid water or if there is ammonia, nitrite or high nitrate readings.

-----------------------
Don't hang towels or blankets over tanks unless there is a power failure and you are trying to keep the tank warm.

-----------------------
In the morning open the curtains or turn the room lights on. Wait 30minutes or more before turning the tank lights on.
At night turn the room light on. Then turn the tank light off. Wait 30minutes or more before turning the room light out.

-----------------------
Besides what Byron said about plants, you can have a small television on in the room opposite the aquarium. You don't need sound but the flashing light and movement on the screen can help fish get use to having people around.
You can tie streamers to the front of a fan and have that come on randomly during the day. If the fan is oscillating (moves left to right and back) that is even better. You can improve this even more by having a mobile in the room so the fan blows that as well.

 

[IHaveADogToo]

Do you live in an upstairs apartment? Or is your tank located upstairs, or above a basement, or in some other kind of location where footsteps can travel through the flooring?

Think Jurassic Park.