So, I just moved recently and during the move, I lost a srbd due to it being scared in the holding tank and swimming like a bullet into the lid and dying. Well, now I have the tank set up in my living room of my new house, whereas it was in the basement at the old one. Anytime someone walks by the tank when the lights are off the srbds flip out. Last night I heard a fish hit the lid really hard and I woke up this morning to find another srbd. I've also had issues with them jumping out of the tank in the past. They've managed to make it out of the tank through the tiniest openings in the lid. None of my other fish are anywhere near as skittish as these guys. Anyone else have issues with srbds?
Skittish SRBD
Started by
Guest_AMcCaleb_*
, Jun 09 2014 02:42 PM
15 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_Erica Lyons_*
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Posted 09 June 2014 - 02:50 PM
Can you share a photo of your tank? It's possible that adding plants may decrease the scary open area and help the fish feel more at ease. Ceratophyllum is an example of a bushy plant that would cushion the blow of head hitting glass.
#4
Guest_AMcCaleb_*
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Posted 09 June 2014 - 05:17 PM
I have a video of the tank that I just put together this weekend. I posted it in the photography section. I've got ludwigia that reaches to the surface but that's it. I'm just curious because none of the other fish seem anywhere near as skittish.Can you share a photo of your tank? It's possible that adding plants may decrease the scary open area and help the fish feel more at ease. Ceratophyllum is an example of a bushy plant that would cushion the blow of head hitting glass.
Day5FishTanks. Any other native YouTubers on here?
#5
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 09 June 2014 - 08:40 PM
Usually they settle down pretty quick. They also adapt better to tank life if collected as juveniles. Try putting some less skittish fish in with them? I have also had very weird behavior in the past when I had a faulty pump, and stray voltage. Also the fact that the tank lights are off, and the room lights are on, assuming here, then the fish have a very good view of the room compared to when the tank lighting is on. I don't know how long you have had them, but I think time will help. Plants may help break up the "scary" human image as it approaches, and also make them feel more comfortable, but "cushion the blow"? Not sure about that. Either way, structure or plants may help to avoid the freak out. I rarely find SRBD with plants, so I don't think you are lacking important habitat, but more plants surely won't do any harm.
#6
Guest_AMcCaleb_*
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Posted 09 June 2014 - 09:33 PM
I've had them since they were juveniles. I got them from Zimmermans last fall. The two that died have died in the past couple weeks which I think is largely due to the move but even before they've always been quite a bit more skittish than the rest of the fish.
Day5FishTanks. Any other native YouTubers on here?
Day5FishTanks. Any other native YouTubers on here?
#9
Michael Wolfe
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Posted 09 June 2014 - 09:58 PM
ha... the yellowfins are probably scaring everyone by rushing to the front of the tank everytime they see a person and begging for food... just kidding, I love those guys.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#11
Guest_AMcCaleb_*
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Posted 09 June 2014 - 10:38 PM
Maybe it's just the jumping. I mean my other fish will spook a little bit when someone moves past them quickly but these guys just head straight for the lid. I was really just curious I the skittish thing was species wide or just for me
Day5FishTanks. Any other native YouTubers on here?
Day5FishTanks. Any other native YouTubers on here?
#12
littlen
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Posted 10 June 2014 - 05:58 AM
Clearly, if they're hitting the sides/top of the tank---you're tank is too small! *wink Time to get that 500 gallon acrylic tank you've always wanted!
All joking aside, how many SRBD do you currently have? I have a whopping 2 MRBD and see them spook more readily than other shiners. Nothing severe like you're describing. But they are the first to flee in the same settings you're describing; tank in living room, tank lights off, room lights on, people walking by. My thoughts would be to add more conspecifics. Safety in numbers although mixed species schools usually quell a lot of the flight response of even the most timid.
So who really needs an excuse to get more fish!? I say, get more fish as that 500g is going to look mighty empty with only ~50 animals in there.
All joking aside, how many SRBD do you currently have? I have a whopping 2 MRBD and see them spook more readily than other shiners. Nothing severe like you're describing. But they are the first to flee in the same settings you're describing; tank in living room, tank lights off, room lights on, people walking by. My thoughts would be to add more conspecifics. Safety in numbers although mixed species schools usually quell a lot of the flight response of even the most timid.
So who really needs an excuse to get more fish!? I say, get more fish as that 500g is going to look mighty empty with only ~50 animals in there.
Nick L.
#13
Guest_AMcCaleb_*
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Posted 10 June 2014 - 06:11 AM
I started with 6 juveniles in September, I lost the first one to jumping out of the tank back in December. I almost lost another one but just happened to be there when it jumped out and was able to get it back in the tank in time (that was January). And then I've lost two more in the last few weeks from hitting the lid, one in the holding tank and one in their permanent tank. So now I have 3 left. And a 75 gallon is about all I have room for at this point.
Day5FishTanks. Any other native YouTubers on here?
Day5FishTanks. Any other native YouTubers on here?
#14
littlen
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Posted 10 June 2014 - 11:18 AM
Like I was half joking---hit up Zimmermans for another 8 to 10! They will certainly feel more comfortable being in a larger school of their own species. That is honestly the first thing that I would do, in addition to what others have suggested.
Nick L.
#15
Guest_harryknaub_*
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Posted 11 June 2014 - 05:19 PM
The SRBD that I brought back from the convention are in a tank with no light fixture. They just receive some filtered natural light and they have acclimated well so far. Of course, they like just hanging in the current.
#16
Guest_mikez_*
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Posted 14 June 2014 - 12:24 PM
Like I was half joking---hit up Zimmermans for another 8 to 10! They will certainly feel more comfortable being in a larger school of their own species. That is honestly the first thing that I would do, in addition to what others have suggested.
That was also going to be my suggestion - as well as a bigger a tank as you said above.
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