If a fish starts hiding suddenly, it is best to try and get a good look at the fish and note its eating and other behavioral habits to ensure the entire community does not become infected. Illness – When fish start to feel sick, they may seek out hiding places to hide any weakness from potential predators and bullies.Keeping fish in a quiet area can encourage them to move about more freely, or else keep them acclimated to simple movements nearby so they get used to the stimulation and it won't worry them. This could be loud noises in the room, or people or pets moving near the tank. Threats – If fish perceive a threat, they will immediately retreat to a hiding space.Adjusting the currents can help these fish feel more comfortable so they can explore the whole tank again. Currents – Very small fish may be uncomfortable in strong currents from a new filter, oxygenator or bubbler, and may start hiding to keep away from the unnerving water movements.Switching to a larger tank or reducing the fish population can make all the fish more comfortable.
This can also increase territoriality and aggression, causing more passive fish to hide even more. Overcrowding – If a tank is too small for all its residents, fish may start hiding to avoid too much attention from their neighbors.As the tank stabilizes at the optimum environmental conditions, the fish should lose their shyness and stop hiding as much. This can include sudden water changes, temperature shifts, pH changes or chemical imbalances. Environmental Changes – Anything that alters a fish's environment can spook the fish into hiding.Adding more hiding spaces to the tank can encourage these fish to swim about more freely. Open spaces offer more room for potential predators to strike, with no cozy spaces to retreat to safety.
Open Space – If a large tank has too few decorations and too much empty space, even bold fish can start to hide out of anxiety and uncertainty.Adding more compatible species to the tank and increasing the number of fish can help these species feel safer swimming into the open. Loneliness – Fish that naturally gather in larger communities may start to hide if they feel isolated or alone in the tank because they no longer have the protection of a larger school.Another option is to rearrange the tank's décor to disrupt established territories so every fish has to find its own niche in the tank again. Separating fish that are more aggressive from passive species can help reduce this type of hiding. Bullies – A fish that is bullied by a larger, more aggressive fish will seek out hiding places to protect itself from unwanted attention.Within a few days, the fish should feel more secure with each other. Even long-time residents may hide when a new fish is introduced until they are all comfortable with their personal territories. Newcomers – If a fish was bold in the pet store tank but starts hiding when introduced to a community tank, it is simply uncertain in its new, unfamiliar territory.There are many different reasons why even the boldest aquarium residents may suddenly start hiding, including… There are ways, however, that aquarium keepers can help their fish feel safe and come out of hiding. While aquarium fish are rarely at risk from lurking predators, they have never lost their self-preservation instincts and will frequently hide in any uncertain situation.
Having a safe place to retreat provides comfort and security, and greatly improves a fish's chance of surviving in the wild. To protect themselves, fish will instinctively hide when they are uncertain, frightened, stressed or uncomfortable. Even more aggressive fish are often preyed on by larger fish in the ecosystem. By understanding why your fish are hiding, you can take steps to make them more comfortable and confident in your aquarium.įish are prey species, particularly the smaller varieties that are popular in aquariums. They can become skittish, however, and when your fish start hiding, you can't enjoy them nearly as much. Fish can be wonderful pets, amazing installations of aquatic art you can enjoy and even interact with.
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