Hi Guy's, this is my first post here so hopefully someone can help.
My Raphael catfish has recently started prowling in the day-time while usually he's never to be seen unless the lights in the tank are off. Lately he's been frequenting the tank with the lights on more often than ever and I was just wondering if that is normal?
PS: I have a large piece of driftwood for him to burrow in so it's not because he can't find shelter.
I did some research and there are some cases when they do come out during the day. Some just like to change it up a little. Have you checked your water? Does he have any spots on him or anything that makes him look like he is sick? The piece of driftwood you have is it completely dark in there for him or is there still some light? If there is still light in it then that could be why. Some research I looked at said that it can throw off their cycle if it is not completely dark. I don't know how but just going off of an hours worth of research.
As long as your water levels are good and he is moving around and not jut laying in one spot constantly or looking like he is gasping for air and he has no spots on him then he is just being curious.
Also another reason I found that they can do this is if they are not getting enough to eat. I am sure that is not the issue but I am just giving you all of the info that I have gotten.
Well hopefully I have helped you some with this. I try and help the best I can with a lot of research. I love learning a lot of new things about different types of fish and also now thinking about getting one of these guys b/c they are very interesting and seem to be great and would go well in my new 30G tank. Good luck with him and let me know if you need anymore info and I can look up whatever and research some more for you if you would like. I have all the time in the world I had surgery so I am stuck in bed for a month. :-( But it gives me time to help people.
The driftwood has "some" light so maybe I should hollow it out some more? I bought the driftwood from my LFS and I manually hollowed it out because they didn't have any hollow ones. I'll give it a go and see how it works out.
My water is ok, he is not gasping for air and there are no diseases in my tank as far as I can tell (no parasites sticking off any fish, no ick, etc).
He's a very active guy and is amazing to watch when he's in prowling mode. They are only a few bucks and if you do decide to get one and are great additions to any community tank. I feed this guy only when I turn the lights off because he will not eat during the day no matter how active he is for some reason. I feed him a combination of fish flakes, bloodworms, & shrimp pellets (on a schedule ofcourse). He's hardy and fat so I'm sure he's healthy.
One other interesting thing I've noticed though is he has really taken a liking to the Pleco I have in the tank. My pleco spends most of it's time on top of the driftwood or inside the sunken ship that I have and the Raphael always follows him.
In my experience all my nocturnal pets and those of friends come out during the day. I think it's just to check things out. I know many daytime(diurnal?) animals do the same thing during the night. Kinda helps the survival rate so to speak, if they can detect danger.
If the raphael is fairly new I would imagine it's because it's starting to feel more comfortable poking his head out and not so worried about it getting bitten off, so he's broadening his horizons.
My Lovely loaches arrived today and I finally got them in the tank. I'm fixing to grab a video of how I have the tank setup now (I've made a lot of changes). I'll have it uploaded and on here in the next 15~20 minutes
Was pretty difficult to keep up with them, sorry about all the swift movement. I've also added new pictures of the community tank. I'm getting rid of the 3x diamond tetras tomorrow (taking them back to the fish store) and likely going to take the red eye tetra and neon tetra back as well.
I have a 90G tank priced out (just waiting for a good time to buy it) so I can provide more space for the loaches & sharks when they outgrow this tank.
I've also got my new Chiclid tank setup. It's not anything special right now. I've got to get some new stuff added so look for more later on down the road.
Was pretty difficult to keep up with them, sorry about all the swift movement. I've also added new pictures of the community tank. I'm getting rid of the 3x diamond tetras tomorrow (taking them back to the fish store) and likely going to take the red eye tetra and neon tetra back as well.
I have a 90G tank priced out (just waiting for a good time to buy it) so I can provide more space for the loaches & sharks when they outgrow this tank.
I've also got my new Chiclid tank setup. It's not anything special right now. I've got to get some new stuff added so look for more later on down the road.
I don't know how you kept up with it at all...lol. That little guy is fast. Very cute though.
I love the set ups in both tanks. :-D My 10G is now filling up with fry. I was so worried with 4 pregnant fish having too many babies to go in it but it is perfect for right now then going to go to the 20 for good soon. Well until I sell then at 2 months old.
My Dalmatian molly little boy I had that was a little over a month old who was the only one I saved from that drop just died. Instead of buying a new type of filter like I was planning too when I got to the store they showed me these sponges that fit over the intake and wont suck up the fry but still suck up the yucky stuff. I tried the whole panty hose thing everyone says to do and it doesnt let the tank be cleaned everything just collects on them.
Long story short I was moving some plants around and must of bumped it and not noticed and went to feed them a little later and saw his head sticking out through the little groove. I was so mad. I also felt horrible.
Now I have 2 mm platy fry that are 29 days old today and mamma is in labor now. I have 26 molly fry left dropped from my silver molly and they are 12 days old now and 16 guppies born yesterday to my fancy female guppy. She ate a lot of her fry b/c I was sleeping.
They are all in the same tank now and the guppies are so tiny but they chase the mollies it is hilarious. I will have to try and make a video of them. I don't think you will be able to see the guppies though bc they are so small and clear. I did end up taking all the gravel out though after losing so many getting squished under it somehow. They all are not hiders though they all are always either at the top or the middle chasing each other around...lol.
Sorry I just so wrote a lot...lol.
I want a 90G tank but my apartment people would probably freak if the saw me bring it in...lol. Bad enough the 30 was brought in at night. I wasn't sneaking though just didn't have anyone to carry it up for me. ;-) I am going to get another 20G this week probably.
OK gotta run got to start scooping some fry out before I lose them all. I hope they all make it b/c she is a gold mickey and I can see a gazzilion eyes in her. Kinda like little aliens...lol.
Well again love the new set ups and little guy is adorable!!! Talk to you soon!!! :-D
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