Blue throat behavior

[R.W.]

I have had a blue throat trigger since February. He is healthy and very active. I noticed within the past month he spends lots of time swimming face-to-face with the glass rapidly. Could he be fighting his reflection? Or is this just normal behavior?

 

[Chibils]

If I had to guess, I'd say he's fighting with his reflection.

 

[Recty]

Do you have a backing on your tank? Does he do this against the walls that have backing or is it only the front glass?

 

[jpa0741]

That is what a fish does when the tank is too small. If this is your 90g. I would say that is what the problem is.

 

[A sea K]

I've had mine since Sept last year and he exhibits the same characteristics you describe. Unless its feeding time he is always pacing the side glass(clear/no backing) of the tank. I've read several others post the same trait with their B throats and I am considering finding him a new home.

My M. Foxface did the same thing for a while but it did pass. The Trigger has been at it much longer and shows no sign of stopping.

 

[R.W.]

my tank has no paint on any side. He usually only does it when the lights are off. Mine doesn't pace around the glass, he does laps all throughout the rock-work. He only goes face-to-face with the 2 ends of the tank like he is fighting his reflection.

 

[Chibils]

Following a set path over and over is often a sign of stress (too small of a tank).

 

[Slakker]

People with 400+ systems have noted that their blue throats have been stressed and acted as if they don't have enough room.

Your 90 is most certainly no exception to this...it's just too small.

 

[DNickell]

My Foxface does it when I have the blind on the window next to the tank open. He sees his reflection then. When the blind is closed, he mostly picks around in the rock or just plays in the current.