Problem Solved?

[twodoctors]

I think I have finally got it. I used to have a tank of scared fishes. Whatever I do (heavy plant, lots of hiding places) doesn't seem to work. My fishes just hide as soon as I approach. The fishes that got moved to the big tank are all happy as soon as they move.

I think I have solved the problem now. I think my problem was the position of the tank. It's next to a my study door which opens out to the main hallway. As you can imagine there's a bit of traffic in that hallway, and I think they are scared because of that. I have now replanted again and they can't see out into the hallway from the tank now and the cherry barbs seemed to be out in the open a lot more. It might be because they are scared to go into the densely packed plants, but at least I can see them and for the first time, come up for food when I approach.

I might have to scrap my plan of changing the small tank into Mbuna or Marine tank... we shall see.

Adrian

 

[Cazgar]

One of my tanks is in the hallway.
My fish used to get spooked when I passed, but now they take no notice.
I guess it depends on the fish, some are spooked easier than others

 

[CezzaXV]

I recently got some guppies in my tank, and they have no fear at all. I can get as close to the tank as I want, make noise etc, and the guppies don't care at all. They just carry on swimming around, minding their own business, they'll even swim over to me if I put my hands in the tank. Since getting them my cardinals and cories are much less shy and come out alot more. Funny how my guppies are making my dither fish less nervous!

I know more fish isn't the solution to many problems, but if you were planning on changing your stocking any time, it might be worth considering stocking some fearless fish.

 

[twodoctors]

This morning they have gone hiding again. Hopefully they will come back out when I go home tonight.

I did have tiger barbs in there, transferred from my big tank. They used to be boisterous but after the move they went into hiding. I traded them in for something some odessa barbs and golden barbs. Same thing again, initially ok, then hiding. Those have been moved to the big tank and they were boisterous and friendly within a day of moving. The cherrys moved in along with the corys and they are hiding most of the time. I rescaped my tank partly because I had to take everything out so I can move my cories to the hospital tank. Replanted it as above to cover the side of the tank, which has always been my intention but my plants weren't tall enough before.

If this doesn't work out I will switch to mbuna... or marine... or goldfish?!

Adrian

 

[Sammyb]

Put your face and hands slowly up to the tank every now and again, it worked for me and now they barely flinch at anything get them used to your head!

 

[twodoctors]

Put your face and hands slowly up to the tank every now and again, it worked for me and now they barely flinch at anything get them used to your head!

Hahaha.... you are pulling my legs right?!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

No. The fish can see you and the more they get used to you, the more they will stay out when they see you. In my case, the fish can to beg every time they see me. The cories will still scurry for cover, but after a minute of patiently waiting by the tank, they will come out to see if I've dropped any pellets for them into the water. They really just need to be conditioned to people a little, as crazy as it sounds.


The type of fish you have is another reason for it too. Shoaling/schooling fish can be a little more skittish, which is why they shoal. There are some very nice dither fish that you can add which show absolutely no fear whatsoever. Harlequin rasboras are one that I've never seen hide in my tank. Most livebearers are extremely social with people as well. Hatchets are another very good out in the open type fish. There are others, but they escape me currently.

 

[Proxo]

Only way to get to my kitchen is to walk past my fish tank, so close you pretty much touch it too.
Took a while for the fish to get used to it and now a few come to the front of the glass to see what's going on and the male green terror somestimes flares out into attack mode, head butting the glass too. They do get the odd surprise and panic out but not very often.

Although it'll depend on the fish, i had the same problem as you with another tank and after moving it all was solved.

 

[twodoctors]

Thanks guys.

They are definitely a lot better with the new scape. I think they are just not "morning-fish". I set my timer on at 0630 so I can feed them before I go to work at 0700. The big tank they are all awake and eager when I feed them. The small tank... they are all still hiding and skittish. A lot better at night time as they do come up to look for food when I approach. All because of my rescape, andthe improvement was almost instant. I am very surprised to be very honest.

Funny you should mention harlequin rasbora. I was thinking about getting 20 espi to go with my cherrys. In the end I plunged for a pair for Bolivian rams. Again, before the rescape, the female goes pale very easily. After the rescape I have hardly seen it go completely pale. Also one of my honey gourami somehow died before the rescape. It was eaten and only realised it's gone when I saw a set of skeleton. Hopefully my other 3 will do ok. Secretly I wished my rescape didn't work as I quite like to have a mbuna tank... oh well!

The cories seemed to have settled in my hospital tank. Hopefully their barbels will regrow soon and can rejoin the small tank, unless they get sold before of course!

Adrian