Do apisto tanks need to be covered?

[ronv]

I think I have just learned the answer to this question. I just bought several apisto and west African species at the Atlanta Aquarium Club fall auction a couple of weekends ago (had a great time!!!). This morning a female A. pertensis greeted me at the front glass of the tanks next door to the tank she was in yesterday!!! I'm grateful that she is not on the floor! The reason I didn't want covers is because my lighting is from 4' flouresent "shop lights" hanging above the tanks. I'm afraid a glass or plexiglass cover would limit the light for the plants I am trying to grow. So my question is... do you all have covers on your apisto tanks???

 

[aquaticclarity]

I would cover all the Apisto tanks to keep the fish in them. The other option is to lower the water level in the tank to help keep them from jumping out and to still alow for maximum light input.

If you want to get creative build a picture frame cover that goes around the edges of the top of the tank and only covers 2-3" of the water surface. Most fish jump at the corners/edges of a tank by swimming into the side of the glass and working their way up. By covering the most likely jumping spots (the corners and the edges in general) you greatly reduce the risk of having fish leave their home when you aren't looking.

Jeff

 

[ronv]

Thank you Jeff. That is an excellent idea. I haven't thought of that!

 

[Arcadianred]

I cover all my Apisto tanks but have still lost fish to a 1-2cm gap.Worst jumpers I have had have been Atahualpa and Espei pencils.Some Apistos are less likely but better to be safe than sorry. A dried up fish on the floor isn't the best thing to open the fish house to!

Mark