Fish jumping

[biggie4jets]

Okay, so I am not sure if it’s just me, but I’ve had several saltwater tanks before and never dealt with fish jumping out of the tank. My tank now, had it about a year and 3 months I’ve lost 3 fish due to them jumping out of the tank. What gives? Maybe it’s my new dog going into that room wanting to outside in the morning, maybe it’s me going into that room in the morning when the tank lights are off to leave for work, I’m not sure. And yes, I do have a cover, but there is a 2-3 inch gap between the cover end and my tank end due to a hang on fuge. I was going to make a diy cover for that area, but just wondering if anyone else had bad luck with fish jumping out.

Every fish I’ve lost aren’t known to jump either which is even weirder.
1) Potter angelfish
2) Midnight Clown
3) Another black and white clown

 

[pcon]

I’m a big proponent that we should consider tight fitting lids part of a complete life support system. Just like lights and filtration. It is our responsibility as aquarists to prevent fish deaths, we know fish can jump, lids are a simple and effective way to prevent unnecessary deaths.

Do _____ Jump?!?!?

YES unless it's a seahorse or a starfish, then just maybe. An open top tank is a risk to the fish inside. Some people are okay with that risk some are not, but it is up to the aquarist's equipment not the stocking selection to ultimately prevent fish jumping. This has been your snarky FSA...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Terri Caton]

I have a rimless tank and three fish have committed suicide.

It was a tank I rescued and I’m waiting on a top I ordered for it. So sad to find them like that.

 

[bryanfuel]

Any other aggressive fish in the tank that could be bullying the others into running?

 

[Terri Caton]

No. They’re with even less fish from the same tank as before.

One was a large diamond goby. Ended up 1/2 way across the room!

 

[Terri Caton]

I’m a big proponent that we should consider tight fitting lids part of a complete life support system. Just like lights and filtration. It is our responsibility as aquarists to prevent fish deaths, we know fish can jump, lids are a simple and effective way to prevent unnecessary deaths.

Do _____ Jump?!?!?

YES unless it's a seahorse or a starfish, then just maybe. An open top tank is a risk to the fish inside. Some people are okay with that risk some are not, but it is up to the aquarist's equipment not the stocking selection to ultimately prevent fish jumping. This has been your snarky FSA...

www.reef2reef.com

Agree. I’m working on it. Put something on top temporarily to prevent more deaths.

Not pretty but it works.

 

[bryanfuel]

No. They’re with even less fish from the same tank as before.

One was a large diamond goby. Ended up 1/2 way across the room!

Back when I did freshwater, I found a dried up crayfish body behind a bookcase a year after it disappeared!

 

[Terri Caton]

Back when I did freshwater, I found a dried up crayfish body behind a bookcase a year after it disappeared!

I was looking for one and found another too. Both behind the tank against the wall.

Then the goby who was not only across a big room but behind a couch.

What the heck?!

I’ve never had a rimless tank before so I’ve never had this happen.

 

[Dierks]

If you need any help with making a new screen cover I can help! Drop me a line here! Simple to make a part that can bend around your overflow. Let me know if I can help!

Minnesota - Screen Top Parts

I want it to have the mounts/lip built in so it will lay against the tank without needed any other pieces to keep it from falling into the tank, if that makes sense

www.reef2reef.com

 

[TheOne]

No. They’re with even less fish from the same tank as before.

One was a large diamond goby. Ended up 1/2 way across the room!

I have lost two diamond gobys to jumping out. I really hate tops on rimless aquariums but I decided to have an acrylic one custom made to prevent anymore jumpers.

 

[Jesterrace]

Okay, so I am not sure if it’s just me, but I’ve had several saltwater tanks before and never dealt with fish jumping out of the tank. My tank now, had it about a year and 3 months I’ve lost 3 fish due to them jumping out of the tank. What gives? Maybe it’s my new dog going into that room wanting to outside in the morning, maybe it’s me going into that room in the morning when the tank lights are off to leave for work, I’m not sure. And yes, I do have a cover, but there is a 2-3 inch gap between the cover end and my tank end due to a hang on fuge. I was going to make a diy cover for that area, but just wondering if anyone else had bad luck with fish jumping out.

Every fish I’ve lost aren’t known to jump either which is even weirder.
1) Potter angelfish
2) Midnight Clown
3) Another black and white clown

All fish are potential jumpers. IMHO the concept of Jumper vs Non-Jumper is a myth. A tank without a lid is just an accident waiting to happen.

 

[TheOne]

Here is my custom made top.

 

[Greybeard]

I ran an open top for 2 years. Had a clown jump early on, said that if I lost any more to jumping, I'd put a cover on it... had a spotbreast angel jump, nearly two years later. Jumped the night I was having a party... a little noisy, I guess.

I long defended open tops against the hoards that were telling me I was an irresponsible fish keeper. It's a great look, but eventually, you're going to loose fish. An attractive screen top (mine is from Octo Aquatics) doesn't distract too much.

Anyway, there are fish that won't jump. Seahorses, pipefish, maybe an angler or frogfish... There are likely many more. If you're going to keep 'fish' shaped fishes in an open top tank, you're going to have to count on losses. No more for me.

 

[brodyquinthooper]

Is there always a reason, or do they sometimes just jump for the heck of it? My clown just jumped, I scooped him up and put him back in, but I'd really like to know why, in case there's something I need to address

 

[Fishnut]

I have seen my clowns and wrasses jump from getting scared of my arm going in the tank, other fish chasing them, and even when the lights are turned off or on suddenly. I keep all my tanks covered and I still lose some through small gaps around heater & wave maker wires or HOB filters.