Questions for Oscar lovers and owners…
The larger New World Cichlids are one of the groups of fish being more aware (or, more “observant, as you put it) of their environment. This Family of more advanced fish is more reactive as a whole, to external stimuli. One of the most important senses these fish use is sight. Besides having driftwood, etc., in the tank to aid in a more secure state of being, the lighting can have a very definite and direct influence on this security. Besides the need to avoid sudden changes of dark to light and vise-vera, it can sometimes be “unnerving” to the fish if the overhead lighting (aquarium hood) is too intense — causing the fish to feel more exposed with no place to retreat to that offers any difference.
Many such fish feel more secure if the lighting intensity is much more subdued. Besides reducing the light intensity, it can help if the aquarium lighting source is removed from the position immediately on top of the tank to a more elevated position. A plainer transparent (glass or lucite) cover then needs to be used. Often, a partial cover of floating plants (water Sprite, etc.) will add to this sense of more security. As stated a number of times before, its always a good idea to use a small night light.
Besides the obvious reason for this, preventing the fish from being startled and allowing it to at least faintly see in dim light if need be, it prevents the sudden transition from dark to light (or light to sudden dark), when switching the room light and/or aquarium light off or on. Too frequent of plunging the fish into darkness or exposure to sudden bright lighting will promote a learned reaction of perpetually being in a state of unease, removing any possibility of fish ever becoming fully comfortable enough to eat from the hand — having it remaining shyer than would be normal for the species. Too, the sudden movements of the aquarists actions under more intense lighting conditions will add to this conditioning. Ray
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
