Rattliffc12

My Jack Dempsey is making great steps. He now swims all over the tank. The thing is, he is mostly only active when the hood light is turned off. I would have thought with him being an older fish that he would have been used to a light on. When I turn the light off he immedietly comes out (even if I am standing right infront of the tank). He also hits the food the instant it touches the water when the light is off, and will not eat if the light is on. I want to acclimate hime to the light but I am not sure exacly how to do it. As of now my routine is to turn the light on when I wake up at 7am and leave it on until I go to bed around 1am, when i turn it off. If anyone has experienced this I would appreciate any information. I have had him for three weeks now, by the way.

Also just a sidenote, new 60 gallon tank is on way for him to have all to himself!!!!

pH:7
Temp:80
Nitrates: 15
Nitrites:0
ammonia:0

Shawnie

is it the light or the human interaction? or both? you can attempt to get a lamp to set up near his tank to get him use to t hat then turn on the tank lights after a few mins..or you can teach him the light isnt harmful..the way I would do this is fast him for a day or two, then after that turn on the lamp , then 10 min later the tank light, then 5 mins or so after the tank light comes on , feed him something he adores....always try to feed him in the morning after fasting him, when you first turn on the lights....im glad hes getting a new tank!!!! congrats!