Fish Hide When The Light Is On

[Don Trinko]

I have this problem with my silver angels and my Discus. ( Seperate tanks) I think I caused part of the problem by netting other fish, water changes, and only turning the lights on when I'm in the room.
In the morning if I leave the lights out the Discus and Angels will come out and eat when I feed them. If I turn the lights on they will not come out and eat untill I turn the lights off and several minutes have passed by.
The Angels started doing this as they matured.
The Discus were not this way when I got them ( abought 2 weeks ago) I have had to do various things in the tank and I think that is why they are behaving that way. Te fish are healthy, active( with the lights out) and eat well.
Any Ideas? Thanks; Don T.

 

[cheesy feet]

I have this problem with my silver angels and my Discus. ( Seperate tanks) I think I caused part of the problem by netting other fish, water changes, and only turning the lights on when I'm in the room.
In the morning if I leave the lights out the Discus and Angels will come out and eat when I feed them. If I turn the lights on they will not come out and eat untill I turn the lights off and several minutes have passed by.

What wattage is your lights and how much cover do you have for the Discus/angels to hide under for shade and to retreat to.How many angels and Discus have you got,and whats the traffic like around the aquarium.Also,how long have you had them>

The Angels started doing this as they matured.
Strange...
The Discus were not this way when I got them ( abought 2 weeks ago) I have had to do various things in the tank and I think that is why they are behaving that way. Te fish are healthy, active( with the lights out) and eat well.
Any Ideas? Thanks; Don T.

Your probably right,they may stressed & scared.

 

[Don Trinko]

The lights are 20 watt flourecent. There is little traffic, mostly me feeding/looking at the fish. There are 4 discus in the one tank. (small 2.5") and 5 angels in the other. (2.5" body probably 4" with fins.) There are plastic plants in both tanks. I can see the Angels even if they hide but The Discus can hide enough that I can not see all of them. Thanks; Don T.

 

[Gatorbait]

It sounds like your Discus learned this behaviour from your Angels.

The Angels get scared when the lights come on and that alerts the Discus and they think there is something to fear.

I would start turning your lights on at the same time each day and leave them on for the same time each day.

If need be, you could get some dither fish, that will probably help but they may get eaten in time.

Feed them at the same time. Get them on a routine as set as possible so they will learn and not be so skittish.

Walk by the tank whenever you can. Don't stop just walk by it and keep walking.

When you turn the light on, walk up turn it on and walk away. leave them be for 5 minutes to settle down. Condition them that there is nothing to fear when the lights come on. You'll also be wise to keep aquariums in heavy traffic areas as this also conditios them to not be so skittish.

 

[cheesy feet]

It sounds like your Discus learned this behaviour from your Angels.

How could they,there not in the same tank

The Angels get scared when the lights come on and that alerts the Discus and they think there is something to fear.

I doubt it..

I would start turning your lights on at the same time each day and leave them on for the same time each day.

If need be, you could get some dither fish, that will probably help but they may get eaten in time.

With Discus this will do them more harm then good IMO.Try to see if you could get one more Discus,making a nice shoal

Feed them at the same time. Get them on a routine as set as possible so they will learn and not be so skittish.

Walk by the tank whenever you can. Don't stop just walk by it and keep walking.

When you turn the light on, walk up turn it on and walk away. leave them be for 5 minutes to settle down. Condition them that there is nothing to fear when the lights come on. You'll also be wise to keep aquariums in heavy traffic areas as this also conditios them to not be so skittish.

Discus IMO need plants,atleast i have found out.When i bought mine of a breeder he reccomended me to have potted amazon swords so they could rest/sleep on them.I didn't have them and my discus were really scared.I get some along with some mopani roots and walla they are not scared anymore.I would try this

 

[Gatorbait]

Discus IMO need plants,atleast i have found out.When i bought mine of a breeder he reccomended me to have potted amazon swords so they could rest/sleep on them.I didn't have them and my discus were really scared.I get some along with some mopani roots and walla they are not scared anymore.I would try this

Good thinking, cheesyfeet.

 

[Don Trinko]

Thanks for all the suggestions. This morning they came out with the light on and looked around. Last night with daylight I was able to get down on the floor near the tank. Three of them came to the front of the glass to check me out so I think they will be fine. Thanks; Don T.