How Long To Aclimatise..

[Lion007]

Hiya - just wondered how long should my plec take to get used to his new setup?
Im unsure of the exact breed - but he is a bristlenose & one that only grows to app 8 inches.
I switched him to the new aquarium yesterday morning & he hasnt been outside his cave yet (i took him out with the cave to reduce stress) I put an algae tablet on the floor right next to his cave, incase he didnt find it anywhere else, but it hasnt been touched - i also didnt feed him the night before (i always miss 1 feeding every week or 2).
How long should i leave it before i have to worry - as far as im aware, he may not even know he has switched aquariums as he hasnt been out! lol
Thanks for any advice

- oh and i know they are usually a bit timid and nocturnal, but i used to catch him out quite regular before

 

[Lion007]

Bump - anyone really worried now - should i take his cave away for a few days?

 

[-germ-]

No don't take the cave away, if your really worried then just check he is alive and put it back, fish can take ages to get used to new surroundings.
Is the new tank cycled, are you sure there is nothing else that could be affecting him?

Oh, in addition; on the contrary to what you may think (dunno do i) the more cover you have the more you will see the fish as it'll know if threatened it has somewhere to retreat to.
Did the old tank have more decor/cover/plantation than the new one?

 

[Lion007]

Yes the tanks cycled - he is deffo alive as i can see his belly/fins move fine, unfortuantely if i stay up all night to watch him - i'll fall asleep at work lol. Theres nothing i can think of that would put him off - i've even tryed to keep the cave surrounding almost identical to how it was in the old aquarium. I'll leave it a further 5 days and hope he eats something. Unless he's eating this white fur type stuff that i mentione din my other post? I dont want to starve him, but dont want to keep letting algae flakes decompose either.

Oh and in addition to your extra bit lol - yes hes got loads of cover - its just a few inches from the darkes corner of the tank - he can go under the filter (which he used to in the old one) and ive put a large plant there for cover

 

[dane261]

Yes the tanks cycled - he is deffo alive as i can see his belly/fins move fine, unfortuantely if i stay up all night to watch him - i'll fall asleep at work lol. Theres nothing i can think of that would put him off - i've even tryed to keep the cave surrounding almost identical to how it was in the old aquarium. I'll leave it a further 5 days and hope he eats something. Unless he's eating this white fur type stuff that i mentione din my other post? I dont want to starve him, but dont want to keep letting algae flakes decompose either.

Oh and in addition to your extra bit lol - yes hes got loads of cover - its just a few inches from the darkes corner of the tank - he can go under the filter (which he used to in the old one) and ive put a large plant there for cover

my rule is remove any uneatin food the day after as for your plec not eayin he will be may it be algae or left overs from other fish just give him time to ajust to his new enviroment may take days even weeks i have a wild caught pair and i never see them and i aint staying up all night if you are realy concerned about seeing you can turn the lights off and you can buy moon light kits have you got some bog wood in your tank infact what tank have you got maybe put a pic up of it

ps dont worry

cheers dane

 

[Lion007]

infact what tank have you got maybe put a pic up of it

ps dont worry

cheers dane

Woo an excuse for more pics lol
Heres a couple of new pics (there is some more here)
http/www.fishforums.net/New-Setup-t202974.html

I've got some mopani wood in there - which is why the water looks a tad tanned at the moment - i was certain i got it all out!
Cheers for the advice though - i'll hoover up any waste that doesnt get eaten from tonight

 

[dane261]

nice tank try and provide some more areas to hide in my water is tanned to hell from the bog wood hope all goes well

cheers dane

 

[Lion007]

I'll have a pop down my lfs this weekend & see what they have, i was going to pickup a bigger cave last weekend, but they had none left. Have you got a pic of your setup? i notice youve bought some of those slate caves, just wondered how you had them layed out.
Cheers!

 

[dane261]

ill put pic up in a min when it lets me upload them

 

[dane261]

one of me tank in front room

male in cave behind wood

and a cave in the nano in the flesh these are caves you get off russel aka smithrc

 

[Lion007]

Quality setup! Thanks for that, i may have to contact him for one of those caves - not as bulky as i thought they would be

 

[dane261]

thanks

 

[smithrc]

Quality setup! Thanks for that, i may have to contact him for one of those caves - not as bulky as i thought they would be

that's my selling point - they are no-where near as bulky or imposing as the normal DIY caves

Here are a couple of our plec tanks for an idea of the sort of cover plecs like

Rio 240 - Fully lit - Plecs are shy

Trigon 350 - evening lighing (only rear tubes on) plecs are out and active when I'm not stood in front of the tank!

 

[Lion007]

Well he still hasnt eaten Thats 5 days now - i hope he starts eating his pellets soon - i've even tryed a different brand - i really hope this is normal.

Thanks for posting those pics! Once i get my slate cave here & in I'll re-arrange one corner to make it a little more shady & covered.

 

[dane261]

puta wafer in his cave he should eat it cos he will feel secure in there what else do you have in the tank with him

cheers dane