Why are my larvae attraced to the side of the tank?

[FlyboySMB]

I have half a dozen larvae at day 7, they spend a lot of time swimming into the side of the tank (thus they just look like they are sitting there perpendicular to the side). I have all 4 sides covered with black paper (my next clutch I will try a tank with painted black sides).

I have a 13W compact florescent that has been about 6-10 inches above the tank, I just raised it to 15-20"

Thanks,
Steve

 

[nauticac4]

What kind of larvae??


Any type of airstone or flow that could be driving them into the sides??

 

[FlyboySMB]

They are A. oscillaris. I have them in a small 2.5 gal tank with a single air stone, not too strong.

 

[billsreef]

Could be enough reflection from the sides to make them appear brighter, and therefore attract them. Play around with the light level a bit. Another good trick, if you have live phyto, is to add enough phyto to darken the water some.

 

[rkelman]

I second darkening the water. I think you'll find that helps. FYI I've never found blacking the sides of the tank to do anything.