ACK! Jumpers!

[brownie]

I tried helping out my son with his killifish tank last night by doing a partial water change. Well, when I was putting the water back in they BOTH jumped right out of their tank! I know that they are supposed to be jumpers but I didn't think that they would both jump out at the same time. I've never had a fish jump out of their tank before, talk about panic!

So here's the specifics: they are a pair, male & female in a 1 gal tank, no air stone or filter to disturb the water. I was putting the water in with the siphon going backwards so it was nice & slow & the water was the same temperature as the tank water. Did I do something wrong or are they just that jumpy? He's only had them for a couple weeks...

[Kissyboots]

!!!Over stock alert!!!
I read they can get up to 3 inches. When using the "1 inch of fish per 1 gallon" rule, use adult sizes, not current sizes. IMO you need a bigger tank with a filter...

[ishar]

Originally Posted by Kissyboots

!!!Over stock alert!!!
I read they can get up to 3 inches. When using the "1 inch of fish per 1 gallon" rule, use adult sizes, not current sizes. IMO you need a bigger tank with a filter...

Sorry kissyboots- while you are correct, at least an attempt at the question at hand or even saying "I don't know, but..." would likely make brownie feel a little better.

As per your question brownie, did you remove any chlorine or chloramine from the water? I know you said that the water return was slow, but was it perhaps powerful enough to create an undesirable current in your tank?

Regardless, my best bet would be that the fish are under aerated, living in stale water with very little oxygen. Perhaps in giving them the new water and the oxygen that came with it, your fish think that there is better water out there if they can jump to it. Other than that I don't have much help for you- sorry.

[Kissyboots]

Sorry, brownie/ishar. Didn't mean it that way.

[brownie]

Kissy, I know that they are somewhat overstocked... they are destined for a larger tank in a couple weeks. No hard feelings, we all want whats best for our "babies"

Ishar, we did have an airstone in there, but went back and forth about them being happier with very calm water. Its not a big deal to stick it back in though. I did use the chlorine removal drops (can't remember the name right now) and let the bucket sit for 20 or 30 minutes before putting it in the tank. I thought that the flow of water was pretty slow, the 1/2 gallon took a few minutes to transfer.

[Lotus]

I'll sometimes put a tupperware lid on the top of the water and pour the water onto that. It prevents the "washing machine" effect of water currents pushing the fish and decor around.

Was the water perhaps a little colder than the tank water? That might have made them jump.

[Lakea]

I don't know anything about killis or have any experience with jumpy fish. But there could be many factors that lead to them jumping. I think maybe it was just the fresh water coming in, new water just stimulated them and they jumped just out of instinct. Maybe the siphon itself spooked them or people outside of the tank. But next time you will be prepared right? Find some way to cover the tank while you do the water changes. Good luck!

[brownie]

Originally Posted by Lakea

But next time you will be prepared right? Find some way to cover the tank while you do the water changes. Good luck!

I absolutely was ready. I made sure that the lid was on with every spot covered, the water was the EXACT same temperature (I even used two identical thermometers!) and the water went back in the tank VERY slowly. They still jumped but didn't escape this time. They'll be in a larger tank within a week, hopefully that will help too.