Pacing the glass

[velvetelvis]

I bought a whitetail pygmy angelfish about 10 days ago. I'm keeping her in an SPS-dominated 34G cube (20" x 20" x 20"). She's been eating well and is nice and thick. But in the past few days she's begun pacing the glass--she'll pick at the LR (I have both filamentous algae and diatoms for her, since the system is skimmerless), then go back to pacing up, down, and all around, then pick, then pace, etc.

I know this is neurotic behavior, but I really thought a 34 would be adequate for such a tiny species, especially with lots of hiding places and no competition. Every source I've read recommends 20-30 gallons as a minimum aquarium size for C. flavicaudus. She was tank-raised, so it's not a matter of her having to adjust to captivity. I still have to think that endlessly circling the glass is a sign of an unhappy fish--or if you think that sounds too anthropomorphic, one whose behavioral or territorial needs aren't being met in some way. Especially considering how adamant I've always been about keeping fish in tanks that accommodate their natural behaviors as well as their full-grown size, I'll feel really bad if it turns out that I've stuck this poor fish in a system that's too small for her.

 

[velvetelvis]

It just occurred to me that I've had a hair algae die-off in my tank recently after adding Chemi-Pur to the sump. Could the pacing be related to reduced grazing opportunities? So far she's ignoring the sheet of nori that I put in for her.

 

[IFbettas]

My potter's angel used to do the same thing when she first settled in to my reef. She stopped after about a week. I think she was seeing her reflection in the glass, but is now used to it. Now my new copperband butterfly is doing the same thing. I don't think it's tank size, because this is in my 180.

 

[Toddrtrex]

How is its breathing?

When I first picked up my coral beauty it started doing that (( and swimming into the flow )) after a week. In addition it was breathing fairly fast. I dosed prazi (( flukes are common with angels )) and things improved almost immediately.

 

[velvetelvis]

Thanks, Todd. I looked at her as closely as she'll let me, and it looks like her breathing is fine. Are flukes still a risk with tank-raised angelfish?

I just hope she calms down. And starts eating more prepared foods. She'll eat cyclopeez and that's about it. I'd like to put a skimmer back in that tank now that a company has started making them for the Solanas again, but that will pretty much put paid to the algae. Good for the aesthetics--not to the angel's liking.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Since they are only tank raised, and not breed, it could still be an issue. Hate to medicate without knowing what is going on, so I wouldn't do anything yet, but keep a close eye on it. And if you are out and about, might not be a bad idea to pick up some prazi-pro, to have on hand.