I recently bought 10 goldfish that had been living together for the last yr from someone. I bought all their equipment, and all their food and conditioners/cleaners etc. I had to empty out the water to transport and move the fish into a bucket for 4-5 hours before I could set up the tank back home and put them in. I know the tank is cycling, so I understand the fish are stressed...but I noticed that if the lights are off in my room (I don't have any windows in it, since it's split with a friend and his side has the windows), the fish actually do happily swim around the tank. As soon as I turn on any light (even putting my cell phone close to the tank), they immediately sink to the bottom, huddle together and hide behind a plant. I know the fish can be stressed by a rapidly changing light levels as they do not have irises, but I left a low light on for 4 hours while at work today and when I came back they were STILL hiding and stressed. What is going on? I want them to live happy! HELP!
2007-04-17 14:41:47 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Just give them more time. They make take several days to settle in and start to act normally. You are also correct that the stress of cycling the tank can also affect behavior so don't expect them to act completely normally until the tank is cycled and they are all settled. I would suggest you continue with the low light and allow them to adjust to that first before adding any additional light.
MM
2007-04-17 14:52:23 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They should be adapting in about a week or two. Low light on a daily basis,for 4-8 hours will be OK. Give them some plants and small rocks for hiding.
2007-04-17 23:21:20 · answer #2 · answered by DAGIM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not the light its the tank cyling. Ammonia is a huge stressor coupled with nitrite, they can kill. Change your water daily or every other day until you get nitrate readings and zero ammonia and nitrite. Don't touch the filter for the first 6 weeks. If you do it right, it will cycle in 3 weeks. Feed half rations every other day until tank has cycled.
2007-04-17 21:47:59 · answer #3 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ur fish r still not accustom to ur tank n its environment.u just leave ur light on 4 a few days maybe it could be better after that.
2007-04-17 21:51:32 · answer #4 · answered by robert KS LEE. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
10 goldfish? I hope your aquarium is at least 100 gallons otherwise they'll get stress out and that will affect their health greatly.
2007-04-18 17:37:17 · answer #5 · answered by Dragon2323 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
your aquarium must be HUGE for 10 goldfish... they shouldn't be afraid of the light... ask the store
2007-04-17 21:53:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you should turn the light on until its used to it... Or call the vet...
2007-04-17 21:45:24 · answer #7 · answered by BamfBby<3 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sorry....LMAO
2007-04-17 21:46:20 · answer #8 · answered by be_hopeful_4_today 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋