fish comfortable?

Forester · 10-12-2006, 08:42 PM

Maybe a silly question, but would it make the fish more at ease if there was a solid backing to the tank? Like one of those big plant pictures, as opposed to an open tank on all 4 sides? They don't seem stressed right now, but I would like them to be as comfy as possible. Thoughts?

Puffer Pita · 10-12-2006, 09:14 PM

I dunno about comfortable but yes, I have backgrounds on all of my tanks because it seems to make them feel more secure. The skittish fish are less so, they are all more adventurous, calmer, etc. Their behavior/personality definitely changed when I added backgrounds, without exception. Doesn't have to be anything fancy either. I know people who are using garbage bags and brown paper sacks cut to fit. Anything works fine. I even used Christmas wrapping paper on some for awhile.

judya · 10-13-2006, 11:06 AM

If the tank is against a wall, then a backing would be good as otherwise you get glare from the light reflecting against a white wall - for that same reason, white gravel can also be a problem.

If the tank is placed where there is a lot of walk by traffic, then you can startle the fish as you go by. The remedy for that is lots of plants and decorations so fish can hide if they need to.

Picture a fish in a stream - If its enemies can see it (birds, raccoons), they will eat it. When a fish sees a shadow looming over it, having a place to duck out of sight would save its life. So movement, shadows, etc. can also affect a fish in a tank. Eventually though they learn to recognize you and swim out looking for you to feed them!

judya · 10-13-2006, 11:08 AM

Also the backing in a tank is to your benefit. It gives you something to look at the fish against, and hides all those wires and filters on the backside!

Puffer Pita · 10-13-2006, 11:21 AM

Check it out:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/...ght=background

10-12-2006, 08:42 PM	#1
Forester Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Crivitz, WI Age: 28 Posts: 70	fish comfortable? Maybe a silly question, but would it make the fish more at ease if there was a solid backing to the tank? Like one of those big plant pictures, as opposed to an open tank on all 4 sides? They don't seem stressed right now, but I would like them to be as comfy as possible. Thoughts?

10-12-2006, 09:14 PM	#2
Puffer Pita Puffer Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,677	I dunno about comfortable but yes, I have backgrounds on all of my tanks because it seems to make them feel more secure. The skittish fish are less so, they are all more adventurous, calmer, etc. Their behavior/personality definitely changed when I added backgrounds, without exception. Doesn't have to be anything fancy either. I know people who are using garbage bags and brown paper sacks cut to fit. Anything works fine. I even used Christmas wrapping paper on some for awhile. __________________ Tina Puffers: Auriglobus silus x2 Colomesus asellus x1 Tetraodon travancoricus x1 Tetraodon biocellatus x2 Tetraodon nigroviridis x1 Tetraodon baileyi x2 Tetraodon lineatus x1 Tetraodon palembangensis x1 The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated. - Mohandas Gandhi

10-13-2006, 11:21 AM	#5
Puffer Pita Puffer Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,677	Check it out: http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/...ght=background __________________ Tina Puffers: Auriglobus silus x2 Colomesus asellus x1 Tetraodon travancoricus x1 Tetraodon biocellatus x2 Tetraodon nigroviridis x1 Tetraodon baileyi x2 Tetraodon lineatus x1 Tetraodon palembangensis x1 The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated. - Mohandas Gandhi

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10-13-2006, 11:06 AM	#3
judya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Age: 55 Posts: 223	If the tank is against a wall, then a backing would be good as otherwise you get glare from the light reflecting against a white wall - for that same reason, white gravel can also be a problem. If the tank is placed where there is a lot of walk by traffic, then you can startle the fish as you go by. The remedy for that is lots of plants and decorations so fish can hide if they need to. Picture a fish in a stream - If its enemies can see it (birds, raccoons), they will eat it. When a fish sees a shadow looming over it, having a place to duck out of sight would save its life. So movement, shadows, etc. can also affect a fish in a tank. Eventually though they learn to recognize you and swim out looking for you to feed them!

10-13-2006, 11:08 AM	#4
judya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Age: 55 Posts: 223	Also the backing in a tank is to your benefit. It gives you something to look at the fish against, and hides all those wires and filters on the backside!

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