Aquarium owners sometimes notice that one or two fish at once have started hiding, choosing decorations, soil or plants as shelter.
If this phenomenon is observed periodically, there is no need to worry. But if your pet behaves this way constantly, it is time to sound the alarm.
We'll tell you why fish can behave this way.
Firstly, the desire to hide may arise due to aggression from neighbors, when fish of warring species were placed in one aquarium. By the way, even those fish that are compatible with each other can become aggressive – if the aquarium is too small.
Secondly, the fish may be hiding because it has entered an unfamiliar area for the first time – this happens with “new” specimens in an aquarium.
Thirdly, poor water quality also leads to the depressed state of aquarium inhabitants. If the water has increased levels of nitrite, nitrate and ammonia, get ready to have to get new pets.
Fourthly, fish, like other pets, try to find a quiet corner to hide in if they feel unwell.
Other signs of illness include poor or no appetite, the fish choking at the surface of the water, becoming too slow, scratching itself against objects in the aquarium, mucus-covered fins, ulcers on the body, a swollen belly, etc.
And fifthly, the reason why the fish does not feel confident and safe may be the wrong conditions - for example, if the fish belongs to a schooling species, you should not keep it alone.
