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Bannerfish Laying On The Surface... Just Because? 7/31/07 Good morning, <I'll say!> A quick behavioral note/question... One of my two Bannerfish has had some odd behavior as of recently. He will come to the surface and lay on his side (and always in the exact same spot) in my 200gallon tank. <Weird> He swims on his side about an inch under the surface at the tail end of my water inlet manifold from the pump just above the water stream. He looks fine, is feeding fine, and is mostly swimming around the tank like the other fish. It's like he does this behaviour for about 5-10seconds at a time and judging by the time periods I watch the tank, I'd guess this behaviour occurs once or twice every hour? <Is strange... as in, uncommon, unknown to me> There's nothing on the glass or anything that he'd be checking out... I'm wondering if it is something to be concerned of? <Mmm, no, not likely> I recall hearing about fish possibly doing that for increased oxygen??? <Maybe something else...> However, the fish is breathing normally at a medium rate maybe 60gill beats/minute give or take 10. My water volume is circulated at close to 16X hour and I have a skimmer with high airflow. I'm thinking I have more than enough oxygenation in my tank. Water parameters: pH 8.2 Ammonia and Nitrites 0 Nitrates 15PPM and yes I am working on trying to lower these to zero.... Salinity 1.023 On a different note, these Bannerfish are quite the pesky little eaters. I attempt to stick feed my Snowflake Moray and they get right in there nose to nose with the Moray sometimes stealing food right out of his mouth. Just last night, both were in there with him going after the same piece of tiger prawn and something freaked the eel out as he went screaming to one end of the tank and back in a cloud of sand... proceeding to launch himself out of the tank against the wall about 3ft up... falling back into the tank and disappearing into his hole. He appears to be alright, but was breathing quite heavily.... He proceeded to eat the rest of his dinner after the episode by stick. Kinda freaked me out seeing this 30" eel launch himself... a good reminder that although 99% of the time he is slow and graceful... these suckers can really move when they want to. <Ah, yes... am out in their range currently, diving...> David Brynlund <The two species of Heniochus called Bannerfish are zooplanktivores that live most of the time in upwelling currents where this sort of food occurs... I am speculating that your Heniochus is sort of seeking this same sort of sensation at the surface discharge. Bob Fenner> Heniochus Concern, Too Much Fish, Too Little Space! 2/23/07 Hi all - <Hi Jim, Mich here.> I'm concerned about my Heniochus. He's withdrawn to the top corner of my tank - near the filter unit, and doesn't seem too adventurous, swimming the entire tank anymore. He's active enough - when feeding time comes, eating well. The tank water is fine - just did a partial change, checked everything and it's good. It's an established 60 Gal FOWLR, with a couple damsels, the Heni and a blue tang. <Too much fish, not enough psychological space.> Both the Heni and the tang are small - about 4 inches, with the Heni a bit bigger. I have the suspicion that the Heni is bothered by something. <Yes, likely his cramped quarters.> The damsels are afraid of the larger Heni & tang, so they're not the issue - and I haven't seen the tang display any aggression, either. There are no bite marks - no ripped or frayed fins on the Heni, so if someone is picking/bullying him, I don't know who it is. <Sounds like a good bit of stress in the tank with even the damsels in hiding.> I'm surprised, actually, because for the five months I've had the Heni & tang (got them the same day), the Heni has always been bigger and more "assertive" in the tank. I always thought he/she was the boss! So, I'm now wondering what's up? I've tried different foods, changed water, rearranged the rock - but the Heni still doesn't want to swim the entire tank freely anymore. It's as if he's sulking to the corner top or bottom, and is being pressured somehow. I had thought he was sick at first - but when it's feeding time, he's his old, assertive self, pushing his way into the feeding frenzy! I was wondering if this was normal? <Normal for a stressed fish.> Any ideas? IF you think perhaps the tang is pressuring the Heni - should I get another Heni to solve the problem <NO! Even more crowded!> or get rid of the tang? (HATE to do that!) <I know you won't like hearing this, so I am sorry, but both fish belong in bigger homes.> Any ideas or advice is most welcome!!! <Both of these fish should be kept in tanks that are at least 100 gallons. Like an adult sleeping in a crib, it just doesn't work very well. Have you considered upgrading?> Thanks! <You're welcome. -Mich> Jim Heniochus using Foxface for scratchpad? Hi Doctor, I have had
these two fish since they were quite small, and they have been two of
my most peaceful fish. Now the Heniochus acuminatus is about 5"
and the Foxface close to full grown, and all the suddenly the Heni
can't leave the Foxface alone. He continues to scratch on only one
side of the Foxface without damage to either fish. The Foxface
doesn't seem to mind, but occasionally he will raise his dorsal
fin. My Heni doesn't scratch against anything else, or show any
irritation on his skin. What gives? Thanks, Steve Tilotta <no
logical explanation that I know of short of a captive induced
anomaly/behavior. Although strange... it sounds like no harm has come
of it. I wouldn't be surprised if changing the rockscape or
adding/removing a fish doesn't stop the behavior. Kind regards,
Anthony> La Freak! (Heniochus going nuts in QT) Hello crew, <Hi
Scott F. here> I just purchased a Black and White
Heniochus. I got it home and floated the bag in my
QT. As I was trying to get him acclimated with the QT water,
he started thrashing about and ramming himself into the side of the
bag. He was literally freaking out. I thought it best to go
a head and put him into the QT right then. When he went into
the QT he headed straight to the bare glass floor. He has
been in the tank for about 20 minutes now and all he does is try to get
at his reflection. He rams himself into the floor and then
swims on his side against the floor of the QT. He's not
trying to scratch, he's just swimming dragging his mouth on the
floor mostly, trying desperately to get to his
reflection. What should I do? <Here is what I would do. I
would keep the tank dark, and try to put dark construction paper or
cardboard on three sides. What you are trying to do is keep
the reflection to a minimum and keep the fish calm.> Should I go
ahead and put him into the main tank where there's substrate and
probably won't do this, or should I just leave him and hope that he
calms down. <No, do not cut the quarantine period
short. It could result in potential serious consequences for
the rest of the fishes in terms of potential illnesses,
etc. Not worth it!> He's obviously breathing very
rapidly. I hope he won't go into to shock and die or
something. Please if you can, get back to me with some
insight. <Well Vince, hopefully this well help him calm
down. Do monitor water chemistry in the QT to make sure you
are not dealing with elevated ammonia or nitrite
levels. Conduct small frequent water changes to keep water
quality high in the QT tank and observe the fish
carefully. Good luck. Regards Scott F.> Vince Heniochus 9/22/05 Ok, what's the max
size on Diphreutes? <Up to about 7 or 8 inches in length and at
least that tall, Adam J.>
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