Fish exhibit different behaviors. Understanding what fish are trying to communicate through their behavior is essential.
The behavior could indicate inadequate feeding habits, territorial issues, illness, stress, or mating behavior.
In handling any of these issues, Understanding fish behavior is essential. You can take instant action. Here is the guide on what different fish behavior means.
Factors that Influence Fish Behavior
Here are the factors which can cause changes in fish behavior:
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors cause a massive change in fish behavior. Changes in water temperature, overfilled tanks, poor quality, availability of light, and plants can make a huge difference in fish behavior. The aquarium decoration and placement of the plants are vital in creating a natural habitat for fish behavior.
Social Dynamic
The social interaction of the fish with the tank mates can cause changes in behavior. Aggressive behavior of tank mates pressure the weakest one. There can be territorial issues. Another reason for this is the mating rituals of fish that vary from one species to another. For example, some fish showcase their colors, while others perform ritual dances to attract mates.
Common Behavior Patterns in Aquarium Fish
There are different common behaviors of fish that you can know about:
Feeding Behavior
The feeding depends on the type of the fish you have. Some fishes have fast metabolism and should be fed frequently. Some fish need to be fed one or two times a day.
The feeding times can depend on what kind of feeder the fish is. That can be a surface feeder, mid-feeder, and bottom feeder. If food remains in the aquarium after your fish have eaten for 2 to 3 minutes, it is a sign of overfeeding.
There can be other signs of feeding which can cause health problems for the fish:
- No interest in food after 5 minutes of feeding
- The growth of algae is an indicator that you are overfeeding your fish
- An increase in the amount of Ammonia is a sign of overfeeding
- Dusky water also indicates that you are over-feeding your fish
All these reasons can cause changes in the behavior of fish or can make fish sick.
Resting and Sleeping Patterns
Like everyone else, mammals and fish rest and sleep, and fish lie on the bottom of the tank or any object that makes it comfortable and secure. When a fish is asleep, its behavior does not rapidly change. The eyes are open because fish don’t have eyelids. Fish will sit still and give no response to the ongoing movements around them. A fish’s sleeping pattern can be different according to its species.
For example, diurnal creatures will be more active during the day and rest at night. On the other hand, nocturnal fish are more active at night and will spend the day resting. If the fish’s sleep cycle is disturbed due to transportation, aggressive mates, or poor water quality, the fish will sleep more in a good environment. To provide the best sleep cycle, set the timer on the aquarium to form a cycle of day and night. The bad sleeping behavior can indicate:
- Rapid breathing
- Change in fish color
- Odd swimming pattern
- Loss of appetite
Territorial or Aggressive Behavior
Fish can establish territory in the aquarium and will defend it against others. A common example of this behavior is Cichlid fish. Fish try to protect the shelter, food, and their partners.
You can eliminate the aggressive behavior by following steps:
- To tackle the aggressive behavior of the fish, knowledge about your fish species is important
- The beta fish’s aggression can be reduced by having only one male in the tank
- One effective way to reduce territorial aggression is rearranging the aquarium decorations to break lines of sight
- Break the sight of the fish by placing large rocks or plants
Schooling and Shoaling
The fish that tightly stay in groups and move together in the same direction with the same speed is called schooling.
When fish hang out in loose groups, just stay close to their kind, known as shoaling. To keep shoaling fish in the aquarium will give it a more natural and energetic look. To keep schooling, Fish together will make them feel more secure.
Breeding Behavior
The breeding behavior of the fish can depend on the species. Different spices have different breeding rituals. You have to know the breeding season of your fish. For mating, the mates can become more colorful to attract females.
They show their fins more. Some fish dance to attract their mates. They will be seen pairing, chasing, and courtship in their behavior. The breeding season can last for 2 months and could be changed according to species.
Signs of Stress or Illness in Fish Behavior
Fish can be assessed for illness through their behavior. There are different signs that show that a fish is stressed or sick:
- Off swimming patterns
- Loss of appetite
- Color change in the fish’s skin
- Rapid breathing
- Hiding behind the objects
- Rubbing against the aquarium
Handling of Stress or Illness in the Fish
- Try to Know the cause
- Check the water quality
- Monitor the behavior of other tank mates for bullying
- Check the filter
- Check the water temperature
Optimizing Aquarium Environment for Healthy Fish Behavior
Here are some points to optimize the aquarium environment:
Tank Setup and Maintenance
- Maintain the tank size for the species you have
- Make your tank big enough for fish
- Do not over-crowd your tank, as it can put your fish under stress and cause damage to the environment
Maintaining Water Quality
- Check the water quality periodically with the help of test kits
- Check the temperature and pH level of the water
- Install the filtration to eliminate Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates
- Change the water of the aquarium at regular times
Creating a Natural Habitat
- Try to provide more natural habitats for fish
- Place the live plants into the tank
- Use the suitable substrate according to the species of your fish
- Place rock to make plenty of hiding and resting space for fish
Feeding Practices
- Give only the quantity of food that your fish can consume within 2,3 minutes
- If your fish eat within two minutes, give them a little more
- Try to form a cycle of day and night to feed
- Turn on the aquarium light 30 minutes before giving them food
- Fish know the time when you feed them. They will start gathering around the surface for food at the same time daily
- The time spent on food consumption can be different for the fish, whether it is a surface eater or a bottom eater
Conclusion
Animals have their own way of communication, which is through their behavior. Differences in behavior can be the reason for so many factors. For a better understanding of the fish, know about the species you have.
Behavior differs from species to species. The behavior of the fish can be changed due to changes in the environment and poor water quality. To attract mates, territorial issues or signs of stress or illness can be present. To understand the change in behavior, try to know the cause of the behavioral change.
Behavioral change can be addressed by knowing the cause first, and an aquarist can further take action according to the need. Monitoring the fish is important to maintain their health and behavior. Aquarists should know how their fish behave so when they behave differently, they know.