Fish selects different spots in the water tank with smooth surfaces and hiding things.

Around 68% to 89% of fish die when they cannot find hiding locations in case of danger. 

Why Do My Fish Hide in the Corner of the Tank? In general, a fish hides in the corner of the tank due to current from the filter, fear of bullying fish, and sudden change in the water conditions. Also, they hide due to pain, fear of reflections, empty tanks, and water fish. Moreover, stressed, frightened fish hide behind favorite spots and sleep there. 

Fear is not healthy for the long lifespan of a tiny pet. Any sudden shock and frightening situation restrain them from movements. 

Why Do My Fish Hide in the Corner of the Tank?

It is also a fun activity for them in around 24% to 36% of situations. It stays in the hiding spot for 1 to 2 days, and there is nothing dangerous in it. 

I have mentioned 15 main reasons due to which a fish hides behind various spots. Few of them are supportive, and others lead to life-threatening conditions. 

Constant water current from aquarium filter

The filter offers a specific amount of current in the tank. The movement of the water is not suitable for small to medium tiny creatures. 

The constant flow of this current in water develops a state of fear for them. So they stay behind the rocks and other corners of the tank. 

All of it results in immobility and other irregular movements. It is not advisable to leave it in such a fearful condition because it can die. 

The repairing of the filter is one of the best solutions for these problems. First, identify the pattern of current flow inside the water tank. 

Carefully switch off the filter and allow them to swim freely without any hesitation. Minimize the level of current flow in case of extreme filtration procedures. 

Fear of attacking fish

The aquariums include various sizes of fish, and all of them have diverse temperaments. Few big-sized tiny creatures are aggressive, and they remain in the attack position all the time. 

It protects itself from the attacker and bullies mate. As a result, they stop swimming and hide in the bottom. 

They reduce the attention towards them, and the bully fish cannot find the vulnerable pet. Therefore, the removal of bully fish is an essential requirement during these attacking situations. 

Bring them to other water conditions and protect them separately with similar temper mates.

A sudden change of environment

The sudden change of the tank environment develops shyness and fear in the tiny pets. Therefore, they try to save and hide in such situations. 

The alteration of water pH and temperature are the leading factors to generate these fearful conditions. They swim towards the corners and bottoms of the tank without knowing the actual source of fear.

 It hides behind the plants and artificial decorations. 

Immediately identify the change and its severity. Then, remove the water problems and balance the standard conditions. They do not hide anymore after such preventive measures. 

Pain and disease

The pet fish inside the aquarium shows a specific response in pain situations. It stops swimming vigorously and slowly in the tank water. It hides in the corner and on the gravel.

They try to rest during the disease state and comfort their bodies. 

In these situations, they move towards the bottom corners and hide for several days. 

Observe the swimming and eating behavior of your pet, and then take immediate measures. For example, provide specific treatment to the fish or remove it from the tank.

Protection from reflections

The glass aquariums tolerate various types of reflections due to their locations. Few of these shadows are external glass, and light shines.

The other effects are the imaginary reflections on the tank walls that offer various signs to pets. They consider them other mates and get frightened. 

It results in hiding situations on the gravel and on the sides of the container. They try to run away from the shadows and protect their lives. All of them hide during the presence of reflections and then bring themselves out in the water.

Identify the source of reflections and remove it from the tank direction. Change the location of your aquarium and offer a smooth pattern of lights to remove shadows. 

Empty tank frightening

Few people keep their pet fish in the vast tanks with a lot of decorations and artificial plants. These conditions are horrifying for the tiny creature because it generates anxiety in them.

Their swimming conditions are slow in these circumstances, and they try to find hiding spots. The fear of external attacks enhances, and it is not suitable for their life.

The addition of multiple pets in one vast aquarium resolves this problem instantly. Also, add hiding spots to enhance motility and swimming of these creatures in tank water.

It also makes them fearless and comfortable. Therefore, select the compatible species for the adding purpose. In other situations, a war zone develops inside the habitat. 

Water modifications

Every fish requires a specific standard of water conditions for their healthy life and active responses. 

The alteration of cycled and safe water with drinking water leads to frightening conditions. 

All of them inside the aquarium do not accept these sudden and inappropriate water changes. They cannot survive in these situations and becomes weak. 

The fearful fish hides behind the tank spots. They try to run away from this dangerous water and stops taking their appetite. 

All of them get lethargic and develop several skin allergies. 

Check the water according to the required parameters. Then, alter it with the standard liquid and remove them immediately.

Transfer the ill and frightened tank mates to other containers. Treat them and keep them in a fresh environment.

Lonely fish in the tank

The community fish prefer the swimming conditions in the form of groups. The schooling of these tiny creatures allows them to grow in a group.

The owners isolate them in a new tank and keep them alone. As a result, they start hiding because they do not want to show up. 

Few of them get aggressive and stops eating, and avoid other activities. However, the loneliness develops frustration in them, and it is life-threatening sometimes. 

Observe the internal environment of the aquarium and then add friendly mates. Leave them together for multiple hours, and the hiding fish starts swimming again. 

Hands of people in the tank

These are small pets and cannot differentiate between things. So the feeders put their hands inside the water to check the remaining food particles.

The cleaning procedures also involve handy techniques that are not suitable for them. They find spots to hide because they consider human hands as a danger. 

They do not want to show up for several hours, and it is not beneficial for their healthy lifestyle. 

Pull back your hand when they are moving away from it. Never use it as a fun activity because a pet can die with fear.

In the absence of hiding areas in the tank, the results are deadly. Few of them die with sudden shock and never swim again.

Fish hides at its favorite spot

In few situations, they hide for fun and comfort behind various artificial items. These areas are the favorite spots of the fish, and they relax there.

The relaxation time depends on the requirement of their bodies. They are not in a state of fear, and none of them stops eating. 

Few of them also take their feed particles to that particular area. They eat and relax in these locations for multiple hours without any abnormal response. If it stays in that position for several days, then take steps to bring it out safely.

Add things in other corners of the aquarium. For example, offer them attractive feed items with supportive techniques. 

Fish sleeping in the corner of the tank

Few fish do not consider the tank water as a suitable sleeping environment. They require their space and peace, and it results in active hiding conditions. 

They select the soft gravel and rotten leaves to comfort themselves. Few of them sleep on the substrate for around 5 to 6 hours.

In these situations, they do not swim. Instead, they fill their stomachs and then attain maximum comfort.

It is not a dangerous situation and does not affect their health. You can leave fish in the hiding spots without any fear.

If it prolongs for more than 8 to 10 hours, tap the aquarium from that specific side. Keep the tapping gentle because sudden bumping can frighten them.

Stressful habitat

The leading cause of stress in the tank fish is sharing their living environment with other mates. 

They do not consider them as friendly competitors, and stress develops in them.

They start swimming in the form of groups separately. Hiding increases after these stressful conditions and affects their internal health.

The organs like stomach and gills start upsetting. They bring their other mates behind the artificial and original plant leaves. Rocks, substrate, and tank corners become their hiding locations. 

Check the chasing and competition of newcomers inside the aquarium. Select the older fish’s comfort and provoke them for maximum swimming. 

Remove their stress with the addition of playful food items and beneficial feeding techniques. 

Variation of species together

People keep snails as algae eaters in their tanks. These are peaceful species, and they never harm the aquarium fish. 

In few circumstances, the tiny creatures do not accept the entrance of these external pets. They defend and compete with few snails, but in other conditions, they hide. 

It is not a suitable condition in any aspect because it adversely affects their health. For example, the pet forgets swimming and eating patterns, and it makes them weak.

Consider the expert advice while putting external species in an old tank. Observe the compatibility of the tiny pets with the other mates in a separate container or bag. 

High heat condition

A high level of heat in the tank water is not beneficial for the fish skin and respiration. In these circumstances, they try to find cold water and swim abruptly.

The hidden spots of the tank comprise slightly cool water than other areas. Therefore, they hide in these areas and offer comfort to their skins. It is a supportive way of protection, but hiding is not a permanent solution.

The stability of water temperature is one of the significant needs of the water environment. The high heat or cold conditions horrifies them, and they find escaping sections. 

Insufficient nutrition for fish

Diet is the essential thing of a fish life inside the aquarium. As a result, few of them are aggressive eaters and require a feed every 2 to 3 hours. 

The inadequate food supply makes them lazy and frustrated. So the fish swim inside the tank to search for food particles. 

In case of food absence, they depend on the algae layers and rotten plant leaves. The dependency on such items restricts them to few particular areas of the water container.

They spend most of their swimming time in those locations, and the viewer cannot find them. 

Provide them sufficient diet at particular intervals. Clean the tank and remove the dead plants and other rotten things. Allow them to swim freely in the cycled and clean water conditions.

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