Does not like light

[TheSharkKeeper]

My fish only comes out when the tank light is off. Does any one know why? Are most bottom feeders nocturnal? I have a florescent light and white gravel, could this be making it too bright?

 

[UP UP AND GUPPY]

YES!!! White gravel when hit by light causes it to be brighter and makes your fish seem pale. My suggestion is to get darker gravel, the lighting should be fine but maybe try to find something thats a little dimmer but still to where you can see the fish. Yes, most bottomfeeders are nocturnal.

 

[JAWS69]

YES!!! White gravel when hit by light causes it to be brighter and makes your fish seem pale. My suggestion is to get darker gravel, the lighting should be fine but maybe try to find something thats a little dimmer but still to where you can see the fish. Yes, most bottomfeeders are nocturnal.

Dito. I wish they would tell people this in the store but then again, i wish they did ALOT in the store

 

[UP UP AND GUPPY]

Dito. I wish they would tell people this in the store but then again, i wish they did ALOT in the store

Honestly. The only bright substrate I think you can get away with is sand but I never used ir so I dont know. But aswell as you I need to switch my white gravel because I didnt know what I know now.

 

[TheSharkKeeper]

Will a gravel change effect the bacteria much? Is it possible to change gravel without "starting over"?

 

[Lotus]

A gravel change will probably disrupt the bacteria and give you a small ammonia/nitrite spike, especially if the tank is new.

Lots of hiding spaces often make fish feel more secure. You might try that before you change the substrate.

It would be helpful if you said what fish it is

 

[UP UP AND GUPPY]

Well do you have ornaments? If you do the just change the gravel. Keep some of the water to keep the bacteria good and what not and you should be fine. Keep us posted.

 

[TheSharkKeeper]

I have 1 rainbow shark, and yes I have a artificial log that he loves. Does any one have a link to some online instructions to change gravel?

 

[TheSharkKeeper]

Never mind about that link, I think I found some info. Thanks every one for the help!*SUPERSMIL

 

[zoo minsi]

if you change the gravel get some pantyhose and take a bunch of your old gravel and scoop it into them then tie it off and put it into a bucket of your tank water then once youve emptied and reset it up put the ball of old gravel inthere for awhile to help re-establish your tank. atleast thats what ive read.

 

[jasnfeller]

b4 changing gravel...

-create atleast 3 caves
-put some fake plants in there
-think about a dither dish)fish to distract a semi-aggressive fish(i.e. use some cherry/tiger/panda/rosey barbs) your shark will comeout to "defend" it's territory

hope that helps