VIDEO: Why does my butterfly fish just swim in circles

[holdyourlight]

I got this margined coralfish from divers den a little while back

This is all he does. Laps around the powerhead. All day long.
Watch from 20-30 seconds.

It's really annoying and makes me seasick. LOL.

All of the other CBB/coralfish i have seen are calm and are not like this at all....

any ideas???

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[A_Z]

why is the video sideways? it is dizzying.

 

[holdyourlight]

why is the video sideways? it is dizzying.

I know. I'm sorry, LOL

It took FOREVER to upload so i'm not gonna do it again

just turn your head sideways!!

 

[holdyourlight]

why is the video sideways? it is dizzying.

LOL

I know I'm sorry

Just turn your head!

 

[BBraker]

That's called stereotypy - a repetitive behavior. Some captive animal exhibit this (a tiger pacing in a cage for example). Animal rights people will tell you it is due to being kept in too small of an enclosure. Other people say it is due to boredom, or as a release of nervous energy.

Usually harmless in fish, it can be a problem if the fish even lightly brushes something in the tank as it swims around - after a couple of hundred passes, that "light touch" can damage fins, mouth and eyes, etc.

I've seen it most often in triggerfish. No real cure - but you can break up the behavior by feeding many small feedings throughout the day, and rearranging decorations in the tank from time to time and changing water flow patterns.

Bill

 

[SDguy]

How long has it been in the current tank? Are you sure it does this when you aren't there?

 

[holdyourlight]

That's called stereotypy - a repetitive behavior. Some captive animal exhibit this (a tiger pacing in a cage for example). Animal rights people will tell you it is due to being kept in too small of an enclosure. Other people say it is due to boredom, or as a release of nervous energy.

Usually harmless in fish, it can be a problem if the fish even lightly brushes something in the tank as it swims around - after a couple of hundred passes, that "light touch" can damage fins, mouth and eyes, etc.

I've seen it most often in triggerfish. No real cure - but you can break up the behavior by feeding many small feedings throughout the day, and rearranging decorations in the tank from time to time and changing water flow patterns.

Bill

Thanks for the info, Bill.
The tank was started with dry rock so there are no pods at all in the tank.
Therefore he has nothing to hunt.
I just ordered 2000 pods so hopefully that will give him something to do

How long has it been in the current tank? Are you sure it does this when you aren't there?

I was hoping you would respond peter. I have followed your thread on your coralfish. He definitely does this when i am not around. If fact if i get close to the tank, he stops doing it. He has not been in the tank very long at all only a few weeks. PS the tank is a 6ft 120g

 

[SDguy]

I would just give him time. How is it eating?

 

[ziyaadb]

i would also go a bit nutz if i was placed in a 2*2 room after experiencing the joy of free life:wildone::lolspin:

 

[didz04]

LOL ^ Thats why your better off getting bred fish than wild. I don't know much information about butterfly fish but if your tank is suitable for another same species then get him a mate.

 

[holdyourlight]

I would just give him time. How is it eating?

Eating mysis very well.

i would also go a bit nutz if i was placed in a 2*2 room after experiencing the joy of free life:wildone::lolspin:

lol.

LOL ^ Thats why your better off getting bred fish than wild. I don't know much information about butterfly fish but if your tank is suitable for another same species then get him a mate.

I think it's one per tank

 

[tcmfish]

There was a guy who posted a video of his Larvatus doing the same thing...

 

[Lynnmw1208]

My yellow eye kole tang does this on occasion too. he is chasing his reflection though and will tail whip the glass. maybe your fish is seeing his reflection as well and is trying to swim to the other fish? Beautiful fish BTW

 

[suta4242]

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