African Knifefish acting WEIRD

[Bakerman]

Hi,

I bought a african knifefish a couple of days ago and I love it, but it's acting like it has brain damage. I'm not joking.

At first it would just twitch randomly, but that soon went away after a few hours in the tank. I just figured it was stress related.
A few minutes ago I saw the fish doing some crazy swimming, up down left right, it was just swimming everywhere and fast.

After a few seconds of swimming with no reason or logic it snapped out of it a carried on like nothing happened.:huh: I have no idea what got into it, but it acted just like a brain damaged animal would.

Has anyone ever encountered something like this?

Please help!

[Stormer]

Your tank parameters aren't right,get a test kit and make sure the Ammonia,Nitrite,Nitrate,pH,Chlorine and Chloramine are all in safe levels.Fish tend to swim eradicly when they don't like the environment they are in.

basics:
Temp 22-28 C
Ph : 6 to 8
Hardness: 5 – 15 dGH
Minimum tank required: 45 to 55 gallons

Source (http://newaquarium.blogspot.com/2009/08/african-knife-fish-profile.html)

[SalmonAfrica]

It's either the water parameters or kniffish acting odd lke they always do - I've seen similar behaviour in both my African Knifefish and Clown Knifefish, normally over the first two days I've had them.

Has it been eating?

[JulsM2908]

yeah , i am inclined to agree with Salmon
How big is he, mine was quite big and used to swim up and down fast for a little while, then relax.
i think they also dont like to be cornered, so when in a tight spot, he would make a big spash and knock something and swim away fast, and then avt normal again.

Dont think there is anything wrong.

[Bakerman]

Thanks for the advice.

My water parameters are all ok. He didn't eat yesterday, but today he ate like crazy and looks fine to me. I'm hoping it was just a once of thing.

[Fishwhisperer]

Mine just hides away or lays on the bottem untill i feed my fish then also goes crazy like super fast and sort of tries to scare the other fish off. Then eats like it hasent goten fed in days. weird

[Bakerman]

Looks like they are just very weird fish..

[Nirv]

Just keep an eye on it in case. When you do get your 250L it will probably calm down a bit also :)

[Firefly]

What sort of foods are you feeding him and how big is he?

[Frank]

Besides the water parameters, I would suggest having a look at your lighting. They can be quite timid and lighting that is to bright or a lack of suitable hiding areas could unsettle the fish jus as much as incorrect water which as you mentioned doesn't seem to be the case.