Hello everyone. I'm fairly new to the fish game and I have a 20 gallon setup. Currently I have 5 painted tetras (3 black and 2 white) and 6 serpae tetras. When the light is off I can see them swimming around all over the tank, but when I turn on the light they all go to the bottom corner of the tank. Any idea on what could be causing this? Any help would be appreciated, thank you!
Fish Hiding When The Light Is On
- Thread starter TCroker
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phoenixgsd
Fish Herder
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- Dec 12, 2011
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it might be because they feel safe in the dark and very exposed when the light is on, what decor and planting do you have for them to hide in?
Many tetra prefer "blackwater". The light may be too bright, making them feel vulnerable... Some floating plants would probably help them feel more secure, as it would cut the light entering the tank down. Also, adding MORE decor, or plants will greatly help them feel more secure. Taller decor, and stuff that provides "shade" would be appreciated by them, I believe.
N0body Of The Goat
Oddball and African riverine fish keeper
None of my currently fish active tanks (5 of 7) have lights turned on, as they have no real plants in them. A seperate tank that does have some Anubias in gets 6-8 hours per day. Many fish do not appreciate the modern bright T5s or the higher wattage T8s.
Your solution: Keep the lights off, or add a genreous amount of floating plants that will diffuse how much light penetrates the tank.
Your solution: Keep the lights off, or add a genreous amount of floating plants that will diffuse how much light penetrates the tank.
Also if the fish are fairly new, they just need to get used to their surroundings.
Maybe try a darker substrate too?
I have moonlight LEDS also, they come on for half an hour in the morning so the fish can adjust to light before main light comes on, then again in the evening when main light goes off, LEDs turn on with timer for the rest of the evening.
This way I can still see and enjoy the fish, my plants also get enough light during the day too and my fish don't get too much light.
Maybe try a darker substrate too?
I have moonlight LEDS also, they come on for half an hour in the morning so the fish can adjust to light before main light comes on, then again in the evening when main light goes off, LEDs turn on with timer for the rest of the evening.
This way I can still see and enjoy the fish, my plants also get enough light during the day too and my fish don't get too much light.
Thanks for the input. I currently have a T8 so I'm going to get a T5 for my lighting and I'll also get some frogbit to add some shade as well as get some different decor. Hopefully with all that my fish will swim around more regularly.
leighton_87
Fishaholic
You do realise that T5's are at least as bright as T8's (some people say brighter) - they are a lower wattage but more efficient and therefore produce at least the same light.
They will save you on electricity in the long run and are often reccomended for heavily planted tanks but would t want you to waste money expecting them to be less bright.
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