Fry hanging around edge of tank

[GregDoug]

I have some 4 day old GSM fry that I am having a difficult time getting to stay away from the sides of the tank. For the first several days, all the fry would stay in the center of the water column, I used greenwater to darken the water and used a normal output strip light with no filter (paper towels). Starting last night before lights went out, about half of the fry per tank are facing the sides (not the front or back but the short sides of a 10 gallon). I added a lot more greenwater to darken the tank, tried moving the light around, and filtered the light with sheets of paper. No real difference is noticed. Is there another cause perhaps besides lighting? I do have lots of rotifers that hang on the sides but there are lots of rotifers in the water column too.

Also, a feeding question. Given that GSM seem to grow a little slower than other clowns, at what day should I start to add BBS? I am planning on the 7-8 day mark... but wanted to ask what others may do with GSM.

 

[npaden]

Do you have the sides covered to block light from entering from the side? (I always used a black towel around the tank)

I'm not sure on the day to start BBS for GSM. (I tried GSM a few times but mainly raised Ocellaris) You might want to start small quantities early and see if they are getting eaten and start ramping it up if they are eating them.

Hopefully some others will pitch in some advice.

 

[GregDoug]

Oh... I guess it helps to know that

The back and sides are covered with black aquarium background (which is a little shiny) but the sides and back have grown a nice green sides from the nanno algae. I added another bottle of greenwater, which seems to be helping a bit. I am pretty sure its a lighting issue, just suprised after all I have done to prevent lighting issues

I split this hatch into two 10 gallon tanks. The one with less greenwater even though there are plenty of rotifers has just a few babies left. The second tank (the one I am having issues with now) has most of the babies alive still. The only difference between the two tanks as I can tell (and know) is that I keep a lot more greenwater in the second tank.

 

[heap]

i had similar, but it was during the first couple of days - i'd used a similar shiny background to cover the sides, and it seemed like the light was reflecting off the bottom of the tank onto the sides. i managed to slip a dark towel under the tank, and they largely dispersed.

there was still a draw to one short side on the 10g...i just put an airline there w/ a slow pulse to keep them from clustering there too much.

 

[Baalz]

If you have a problem with the fry hanging out on sides and bottom of tank. You need to lower the lighting just a hair. This can be easily done by slightly tinting the water with green water or instant algae.

Edit.. Which I see you already addressed. Not a fan of putting alot of greenwater in fry tank though. It will foul tank fast.

 

[ediaz]

Are they eating?if they are they will be fine , gsm grow slow feed a lot of rots and artemia until day 9-10.

Ed