How to encourage fish to swim around ?

[AmyKieran]

I have a newly setup, cycled, American cichlid tank featuring fire mouth, convicts etc. Fish have been in for around 3 days. I find that all of them are staying relatively in the bottom third of the tank around the plants and decorations. Most of the time you can hardly see the fish. I’m looking for a way to encourage them to swim to the top? They are feeding fine. Maybe some kind of decoration to encourage them to the top or something? Or will they likely be more active as time goes on?

All water parameters

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5
Ph - 7

 

[Rocky998]

Sometimes it can be a week or two before they "settle in"... Its been three days so they may still be adjusting but you could try tall pieces of driftwood and some tall plants if you want... Could you show a picture of the tank?

 

[AmyKieran]

Sometimes it can be a week or two before they "settle in"... Its been three days so they may still be adjusting but you could try tall pieces of driftwood and some tall plants if you want... Could you show a picture of the tank?

It’s a tall 110l tank. It’s my wife’s so excuse the stupidly bright colour

 

[connorlindeman]

A friend of mine used to have some goldfish in a 2-gallon tank. They were sorta sluggish so sometimes he would stick a spoon in the tank to stir the water and make the fish exercise. Just a thought ;-)

 

[AmyKieran]

A friend of mine used to have some goldfish in a 2-gallon tank. They were sorta sluggish so sometimes he would stick a spoon in the tank to stir the water and make the fish exercise. Just a thought ;-)

That’s a good idea, I might take it one step further and I’ll use my hand mixer to do that lol

 

[Colin_T]

They are bottom dwelling cichlids, they will never swim in mid water or near the surface except during feeding or if they are being attacked.

 

[Rocky998]

It’s a tall 110l tank. It’s my wife’s so excuse the stupidly bright colour

Well I am not a fan of most fake decor... But there is some fake decor that is good... These arent, to put it bluntly. I would tell your wife to pick out one or two things to keep and the rest goes. I can pick out one for you, the gravel. Sense these are bottom dwellers they may interact with the substrate and the gravel may wound them. Some rinsed out pool filter sand would be good! Add some driftwood and tall plants as well and ta daaa multiple problems solved

 

[AmyKieran]

Well I am not a fan of most fake decor... But there is some fake decor that is good... These arent, to put it bluntly. I would tell your wife to pick out one or two things to keep and the rest goes. I can pick out one for you, the gravel. Sense these are bottom dwellers they may interact with the substrate and the gravel may wound them. Some rinsed out pool filter sand would be good! Add some driftwood and tall plants as well and ta daaa multiple problems solved

I know I personally hate it but you know very stubborn. I’ll go and get some tall plants and driftwood, any kind of ornaments that kind of stick on the glass or anything like that? Or floating plants?

 

[Rocky998]

I know I personally hate it but you know very stubborn. I’ll go and get some tall plants and driftwood, any kind of ornaments that kind of stick on the glass or anything like that? Or floating plants?

On etsy people sell these pieces of driftwood with plants on them that come with a suction cup so you can attach it to the glass...

I hate it when people are super stubborn. Then they cant see the bigger picture... Everyone has a little bit of it though

 

[AmyKieran]

On etsy people sell these pieces of driftwood with plants on them that come with a suction cup so you can attach it to the glass...

I hate it when people are super stubborn. Then they cant see the bigger picture... Everyone has a little bit of it though

Haha I love my wife but yes very stubborn lol I’ll try my best to convince her haha

 

[AquaBarb]

Dither fish usual help bottom dwellers feel more secure.

However with your tank being relatively small in width your options will be limited.

How many Cichlids do you have in the tank currently?

 

[Back in the fold]

Well I am not a fan of most fake decor... But there is some fake decor that is good... These arent, to put it bluntly. I would tell your wife to pick out one or two things to keep and the rest goes. I can pick out one for you, the gravel. Sense these are bottom dwellers they may interact with the substrate and the gravel may wound them. Some rinsed out pool filter sand would be good! Add some driftwood and tall plants as well and ta daaa multiple problems solved

Tell a wife what to do ? Let me know how that works out for you.

 

[Rocky998]

Tell a wife what to do ? Let me know how that works out for you.

Just lightly bring it up lol

 

[Byron]

@Colin_T already offered one factor--these are lower level fish and they will stay there.

Also, this tank is too small for the cichlids combined. First on the Firemouth:

Compatibility/Temperament: Mildly aggressive, rather peaceful for a cichlid. In its habitat, it can be found in small groups though this is not a true shoaling species. Males establish a territory defined by plants, sticks and branches whether or not they are breeding. Suitable in a small group in a 55g or larger aquarium; other fish must be non-aggressive and can include similar medium peaceful cichlids from Central America (in much larger tanks), medium barbs, larger characins and peaceful substrate fish. Not suitable with small fish. Will become more aggressive when spawning.

And on the convict:

Compatibility/Temperament: This is not a community fish. Best in a species tank; a pair may be kept in a 36-inch (40+ gallon) tank. In much larger tanks (over 6 feet) it may be kept with a few other Central American cichlids that are robust. This species is very aggressive and territorial, and when spawning becomes very violent to all other fish including much larger cichlids.

 

[davros]

Approaching this from a different direction-Some floating plants whose roots will grow down and "fill" the tank at bit better?