Why Are the Fish in My Tank Acting Skittish?

Not all aquarium species behave the same. However, under the right conditions and with the right fish tank supplies in the aquarium, they’ll ease into their habitat and exhibit behavior that makes them look comfortable. In an established tank with a healthy ecosystem and the right mix of species, fish will swim, feed, and even mate according to their natural instincts. Some species tend to be more shy than others and prefer hiding, but you should still see them swimming around during feeding time. There are various reasons fish may become skittish, and some of them are related to the ecosystem conditions.

Lonely Schooling Fish

When you add species such as neon tetras and zebra danios, you should be mindful of their schooling nature. These fish are happier in groups of at least three to five. A single one will go into hiding, and two of them will just dart around from one hiding spot to another. The advantage of tetras and danios is that they’re small, so you should stock your tank with at least four to enable their schooling behavior.

Weaker Species Avoiding Bullies

Predator tanks are a subset of the freshwater and reef tank hobby. These are habitats stocked with aggressive species that tend to be territorial and won’t get along with smaller species. Just about all cichlids are aggressive, which means they’ll go after their smaller tank mates, thus making other species nervous. Cichlids aren’t a problem in very large tanks because they can establish their territory and other species will respect it. With plenty of rocks and decorations, territorial fish will retreat to their claimed spots instead of fighting.

Outside Noise and Vibrations

Fish never get used to loud noises. You should expect all your aquarium species to become skittish when loud music plays or when doors slam shut. The best way to avoid this situation is by choosing a quiet space for your tank. If you have an air pump that makes a lot of noise, try to dampen it by setting it on foam and also covering it with foam.

Boring Tank

Imagine how fish in a tank feel when they have nothing but open water and no plants, substrate, rocks, or decorations. When fish are subject to this surreal habitat, they’ll first start swimming frantically before retreating to the corners of the tank and darting across the water when they see beyond the glass walls. All fish enjoy exploring their habitats. It’s what they live for, and you should do your best to accommodate this instinct. Live plants are the best decorations, but you should also add substrate and a few rocks.

Change in Water Quality

Even though most aquarium species become lethargic when sick, some of them react nervously to a change in pH or registering even slight amounts of ammonia. They may exhibit this behavior for a few days before lethargy and lack of appetite sets in. Test the chemistry of your water when you notice sudden behavioral changes.

One of the most essential parts of keeping fish happy and healthy in an aquarium environment is ensuring you have all of the essential supplies to maintain the tank. At Aquatic Warehouse, we carry everything you need, whether it’s an aquarium dosing pump, temperature controller, filtration, LED lighting, or nutritious food. Take a look at our website to see what we have to offer, stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or give us a call with any questions at 858-467-9297.