m189

So this is my second small fish tank.

I set up a small 10g low tech planted tank for a single paradise fish. The tank had fully cycled for a month before the fish was put in. All the water parameters looked fine and the java moss and crypts were growing well.

I bought a small 1.5 inch paradise and all he seems to want to do is frantically pace the sides of the tank as if he is looking to escape. I don't get it...unless Paradise fish are always this way.

Also, though he has been energetically flying around the edges of the tank for four days now, he has hardly had a bite to eat. Any suggestions. I planned on keeping him solo, but will tank mates ease this fish?

He hardly eats, swims like crazy for four days straight now, and does not seem happy.....any suggestions

-M189-

Lucy

Welcome to Fish Lore
When you say your water parameters look fine, what are the exact readings and what test kit are you using?

m189

I'm using a 6-in-1 test kit (Jungle quick dip).....I know not the most accurate, but I figured it should be in the ballpark.

in [PPM]
nitrate: 0
nitrite: 0
GH Hardness: 75
chlorine: 0
alkalinity:80

pH:7.2

Temp: 72 F

These are grossly rounded to the nearest color on the chart, but they seemed fine to me.
Thanks for your reply!

-M189-

Lucy

Yeah, invest in a good liquid test kit like the API master kit. Well worth it, IMO.

Does your test include one for ammonia?
In between the time you cycled and the time you added your fish, did you feed the tank in order to sustain the cycle?

m189

Since I have a lot of plants I did a silent cycle. I never did get an ammonia test kit to go along with the 6-in-1, but the tank certainly took care of nitrites fast...so I figured it was fine. It's weird, the fish seems to get more colorful and healthy looking every day (not pale and scared when he first came from the fish store), but as he starts to look better, that also means he just swims faster saround the edges of the glass like he is trying to escape. Since he is a paradise fish, I guess it could be that he sees his refection and wants to fight or chase that. Maybe he'll slow down when he remembers he has to eat.

I'll probably get an ammonia test kit in the near future to double check that parameter, but I'm starting to think this is just this particular fish. Either hates being caged or wants to really ...really chase his reflection.

-M189-

m189

I just read this in the gourami forum...

"all paradise fish need to be in at least a 20 gal. long tank...they are very active swimmers and need at least that much room to swim" (rifter098)

maybe my tank is too small and he wants to swim...except he is only 1.5" (ok 2" with his tail)

-M189-

Lucy

I'm not familiar with the personalities of the paradise fish, but both the things you mention might be true.

When I first got my DG, he did the same thing. Up and down the sides and pacing for a few days until he got settled in. At the time, he was the only fish in my 30g.
I remember being a little concerned too. lol

m189

Thanks for the help!

-M189-