| Have you ever watched your fish as they swim | | | | bottom of the tank can be a sign of illness. In this case, |
| around in your tank and wondered why they do the | | | | it is best to quarantine the fish until you can be certain |
| things that they do? While no one can be certain of | | | | it is healthy. |
| why fish do all of the things that they do, experts do | | | | Drifting Along |
| agree on the meaning of a few fish behaviors. As a | | | | Most fish swim with a purpose rather than simply |
| fish owner, the better you can identify and understand | | | | drifting along. If your fish usually swims around and |
| these behaviors, the happier and healthier you can | | | | suddenly seems to be aimlessly drifting about, it is likely |
| make your pet fish. | | | | ill. If only one or two fish are drifting, it is a sign that they |
| Hiding in the Tank | | | | are suffering from an illness. If all of your fish are |
| Many fish enjoy hiding and, therefore, this is not always | | | | drifting, on the other hand, it could be a sign that there |
| a cause for concern. Some fish are just naturally shy | | | | is a problem with your tank. Make certain you are |
| and like to hideaway from other fish. Similarly, a fish | | | | getting plenty of oxygen in the tank and check the |
| that has recently bore young may have a tendency to | | | | water for cleanliness and proper chemical balance. |
| hide with its babies in order to keep them protected. If | | | | Flashing an Itch |
| you have recently introduced the fish to your tank, it | | | | Another behavior your fish may engage in is called |
| may also have a tendency to hide until it becomes | | | | flashing. This behavior is characterized by rubbing |
| comfortable with its surroundings. On the other hand, | | | | against objects within the aquarium and then suddenly |
| some fish will seclude themselves if they are suffering | | | | swimming away in a semicircular fashion. Fish tend to |
| from disease. Therefore, you should watch the | | | | engage in flashing when they are feeling itchy, which |
| coloring of the fish and the overall behavior in order to | | | | can be a sign that your fish is suffering from external |
| make certain the hiding is not part of a larger problem. | | | | parasites. In this case, you need to apply proper |
| Hanging Out at the Bottom | | | | medication to the water to address the issue. |
| Some fish will also hang out at the bottom of your | | | | The better you understand the behavior of your fish, |
| tank. Catfish and other types of sedentary fish | | | | the better you can provide them with the proper care. |
| commonly stick close to the bottom of the tank, so this | | | | The key is to recognize behavior that is unusual for |
| would not be considered unusual behavior for these | | | | your particular fish and to seek out ways to alleviate |
| fish. In addition, sleeping fish tend to stay near the | | | | the problem that is causing the strange behavior to |
| bottom. If your fish is not resting and if it is not a | | | | occur. |
| sedentary species, however, staying close to the | | | | |