Fish aggression only when people are around?

[Sigmund]

Have observed an interesting behavior with my Potters and Venustus angel. Whenever I approach the tank the Potters angel will chase the Venustus back into the rockwork, however if I sneak up to the tank and they don't see me they will swim around together with no concern for one another.

I realize this is more than likely a result of the fact that I am the dinner bell, and so when I am spotted the more aggressive angel is then demonstrating the pecking order for resources (i.e. food) thus the aggression. The funny thing is there is almost no aggression at all when a person is not noticed. They have been together in my 150 gallon now for almost 2 years, and this behavior has been consistent for almost the entire time they have been together.

Anyone else ever notice this, or have similar behaviors with their fish?

 

[SDguy]

Yup, same thing happens in my tanks. Probably a combination of food anticipation and being all jumbled together near the surface waiting for the food, in my case. I have especially noticed this with a "pair of yellow long nose butterflies I have in QT. I friend had a true pair of tinkers and noticed the same thing during feeding time. I can easily imagine this tranlating into general aggression whenever they see the "food provider" (ie you)

 

[stunreefer]

Yes and no... as you mentioned it's due to the fact that we are the hand that feeds in this case.

On the flip side, I constantly watch my tank from afar as many fish are like little kids when we leave the room - they wreak havoc! If there is some fin nipping going on, but you don't see it when you're around, turn the lights in the room off (leave tank light on), step out of the room with just your head leaning in around the door and watch... you might be surprised how your seemingly laid back fish goes on attack mode! Again not the case here, so... it goes both ways

 

[reppo13]

I also have noticed this with my potters and flame angel. When I'm in my room, the potters chases the flame for food, but when I'm out they swim and graze peacefully. I look through my bedroom door and see this all the time.

 

[SDguy]

I love the fact that we all sneak around, peeking at our tanks :lol:

 

[Sigmund]

Everyone is a voyeur to some extent... ;-)

The fact that we like the hobby itself is voyeuristic!