Fish in my 125 acting super skittish

[twisted01976]

I can't figure out what is going on with my fish, all they do is hide when the lights are on. It is a mated pair of Jack Dempseys. It all started this past Monday. Before I left for work they were fine, when I got home they were hiding. That right there made me take notice because they are always at the one end looking towards the door when I come in. I put my stuff down walked over to the tank and when I got there they started shooting from one end to the other and actually banging into the glass. It freaked me out, so I immediately did a 50 percent water change thinking maybe it was the water. A few days later I did another 50 percent water change, but no change in them. The female will come out but takes off when I come near. The male on the other hand will not come out until all the lights in the tank and room are off, I know he does because I sat on the couch with a flashlight and watched. I have never seen a problem like this in any fish I have ever had. And before anyone asks, the water is good. Ammo= 0, Nitrites= 0, Nitrates= 10, ph= 7-7.2 Those readings were taken yesterday and the second water change was Thursday night. If anyone has any thoughts on this please let me know, any info would be much appreciated.

[Zander]

If you could describe the tank and the situation that would help. Did you recently move them to this tank? Did you change something about it recently? Did you add a new tank mate?

I'm guessing it's a lack of cover, but it might be the other things I mentioned. Are there a lot of tall plants / big rocks?

[twisted01976]

They are the only fish in there right now. Had to remove the Pleco back in March when they spawned but have yet to put him back in. They have more than enough cover- rocks, wood, plants(plastic, i can"t keep plants growing outside let alone inside submerged in water ). They have been in there since February. That is why the sudden change concerns me.

[leaveittoweaver]

Do they hide together?

Have you changed your lighting?

Are they the only fish in there currently?

[Cermet]

Have you tested your tap water? Late this spring, a nitrate signal appeared for the first time in my water. It is possible some ammonia or nitrite is occuring (spring run off) and your filter is removing it over a number of hours so you are not seeing any when you test.

[ScottishFish]

I think some fish just like to act as if theres something wrong to try and worry their owners . . . . . . and it works

[Lady Hobbs]

Could they now be spawning? That may cause a bit of a change in personalities and how they are acting.

[DylanisHawttt]

Could they now be spawning? That may cause a bit of a change in personalities and how they are acting.

That's what I was thinking Hobbsy, the pair went into parent mode and they think that you are a threat.

[FinalJenemba]

Could they now be spawning? That may cause a bit of a change in personalities and how they are acting.

Its the only thing that makes sense to me. They had the pleco to worry about last time. Now they have gotten used to having the whole tank to themselves and your the only threat to focus on.

[twisted01976]

I know they aren't spawning because it is not the same spot they hide in all of the time and their coloration hasn't changed. Only the female will make an appearance with the lights on, the male will not come out until they are all off. This change in behavior was literally over night. I think I am going to put the Pleco back in tomorrow so maybe with him in there again moving around they will venture out again. I just don't get the sudden change. Also I don't see my tap water as being the issue and isn't a water change the only way to get rid of nitrates? I just wish the fish in my 75 would explode so I can get them in the 125. I'm sure having some tank mates would help.