Why do I have skaters?!

[traco]

I prepped my 65 gallon for going bare bottom for my baby discus. I spray painted the bottom with 3-4 good coats of spray paint, pebbley looking, cream color. Looked good.

Now I have my babies in there since Monday. Lights off, they swim around all over the tank, lights on, they skate along the bottom nose down! What gives? I did the "proper" procedure to prevent this but it still happened! Am I destined to have no lighting on the tank? All I have for lighting is a single fluorescent 25 watt tube, that's it.

Very discouraging.:(

[Ryan Smith]

They're still settling in. Once they start eating well and getting used to you, hopefully that will change. Let them acclimate.

[grelot]

When I get new fishes they usually do this for a day or two and then it stops. They probably were used to be in very crowdy tanks at the breeders/seller place and are now nervous of being a small group.

I got some last week and it was the same as you. lights off they were swimming everywhere and lights on they were skating. The second day I decided to turnthe lights on anyway and when I came back from work they were all ok

[AmberC]

Yeah I think they just need a little bit of time still. If they are comfy without the lights, then perhaps leaving them off for a couple more days then trying again? (After some good FBW meals :D) I'm sure they will stop! :)

My tank bottoms are not painted and non of mine skate along anymore. It was only the first few days so that is probably the case with yours too.

Just remember, patience! Its hard.. Kenny gave me a knock on the head when mine came in because I turned the tank lights on. I hadn't even thought about it really, just habit in turning them on and Kenny was like.. Turn em off! lol

Amber

[Ryan Smith]

I wouldn't leave the lights off. I leave my lights off for the first day and that's it. If the fish are upright and swimming, and they are healthy, I don't see a reason to keep them in the dark. They have to get used to it being on at some point -- may as well do it now.

I'd turn the lights on and feed them. Don't be shy about walking right up to the tank and going about your normal feeding/wc routine. They will adjust.

Ryan

[traco]

I know it is an adjustment for the little ones going from lots of fish to just 7. Jason keeps his lights on 24/7 so I should just bite the bullet, keep the lights on, go about my daily routine, and hopefully they will come around.

[April]

yeah.;just leave them on . they'll forget. and go about their business.
my tiny babies have the shop flourescents on all the time. but then..they had that since they were eggs.
i think also..they feel small in that big tank. keep feeding..and they will fit soon. : )

[traco]

Thanks everyone. I also had the lights not on much as the white pigeon is the only one I have not seen eat yet and he seemed more at ease without lighting and hopefully he would eat. Temp is 87, would putting the temp up a bit and adding some salt help?

[t_j]

I had the same thing happen to me it lasted a couple of weeks though but after that they where fine swimming around and eating like pigs. Like every one else said just keep those lights on and do every thing like you usually do and they will come around. Good luck!!