Black and White Chromis problem

[thedandandandy]

Hello all. When I woke up this morning, I noticed one of my chromis was acting a little odd, at first it was simply swimming by the heater, active etc, but not straying from the heater. Now, it's keeping to itself at the very top of the tank in the corner. The water tested fine. And while it does make random laps throughout the tank, it acts odd and eventually goes back to the heater or to thus corner.

I just introduced two clownfish to my tank, but my other black and white seems fine with them, so I don't know if it's that, or what. But it's acting pretty stressed. Is this something I should just keep an eye on? He is still interested in food and doesn't nip at the clowns. Any advice?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Hmm hard to say right now but if he is eating he should be fine. Does sound like he is being bullied though.

 

[thedandandandy]

I wonder if it could be that the temp was low. I noticed it had dropped so, I turned the heater up slightly and he acted normal once the temp raised a couple degrees. Once the water got warmer, he acted like the happy normal fish I've been seeing. The temp dropped again once it got colder outside and now he's back in the corner. So I've turned the heat back up a bit. I'll see if that's the problem.

I sure hope he's not being bullied. I haven't seen anything yet, but I'll cross my fingers and knock on wood that it's just a temp change that's in order.

 

[Dowtish]

What kind of heater are you using? and how many degrees in temp are we talking about?

 

[thedandandandy]

Hi Chris,

He acts like this when it gets to 70f-72f, but when it's around 75f-78f, he's fine. I don't know the brand or specifics on the heater at the moment, but under the temp setting, it has 50w. Which im assuming means 50 watts. But, I could easily be wrong on that.

 

[Dowtish]

You should definitely not be having swings of that amount. This can stress any fish or coral out to the point of being fatal. I highly suggest buying an eheim jager heater. You won't have a swing of more than a degree, unless you let the house temp drop by 10 degrees or so. They are a little more in price, but are very trustworthy.

 

[thedandandandy]

Okay rookie move here. Somehow the the glass piece of the thermometer slipped down along the metal case that holds it. This case also is what the temperature lines were etched on. So when the glass part slipped, it looked like it was a few degrees lower than it actually was. So I've been messing with the heater based on the fact it looked like the water was refusing to heat up. I'm guessing the temp will even out now. Hah.

 

[JackoChang]

A few things, you shouldn't go by the temp markings on the heater (they can be off), if your house temp is affecting your tank that much either insulate the tank our get a bigger heater.

Edit: I should read the post more thoroughly.

 

[Paul_N]

Hmm hard to say right now but if he is eating he should be fine. Does sound like he is being bullied though.

+1
How many chromis do you have? They are notorious for picking on the runt of the group. There are actually a couple other threads on this subject.

 

[thedandandandy]

@jack
Yeah if the temp keeps doing the same fluctuation problem, I'll get a better heater.

@Paul
There are two Chromis in my tank. I've had them for a couple of months now, and while they have chased each other and darted at each other every once in a while, this hiding action is completely new. Plus, when it does calm down and swim around like normal, it will chase the other one just as much. Which I have to admit, is funny to watch, but I just wanted to make sure he was okay. I think I'll get more live rock to create more of a break in the line of sight and more hiding places. I'd much rather him feel safer in the rocks over being cooped up in the corner.

Also, I think I read someone that they are happiest in schools of 3 or 5. Should I get another black and white?