Scardy Fish =(

[ArroWanaWhitey]

in my 10 gal i have a gold gourami and a neon tetra.. and recently they have become very afraid of everything. if i walk into the room they will dart around really quick and hide, often times making a large splash at the top... the water stats are fine except the water is hard because i recently added a sea shell. but i just did a water change so im sure it will eventually level out. what could be making my fish so jumpy...i never get to look at them anymore

Colby

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

first off the neon tetra should be batleast a group of 5. Have you put the gourami in latley? im not sure but would i shell leak calcium?

 

[ArroWanaWhitey]

i understand the grouping thing.. im planning on picking up a few more when i get some money. (gfs bday= drained pockets)... the gourami and neon have been tank mates for weeks and they've always been friendly. and yes, it would leak calcium but not enough to cause damage

 

[nadajdui]

If you keep the shell in there, it is going to keep the water hard, and tetras like water soft and acidic.
I would remove the shell.
How long ago did you put it in? And what was your water hardness before you put thr shell in? Maybe the change has freaked them out.

 

[ArroWanaWhitey]

that seems reasonable... i added the shell about 3 days ago... i suppose ill remove it.. but they did like the security... i suppose ill get something else for them to hide in... i already have a lil ship, but its kinda unappealing to my gourami seeing as how he cant fit.

 

[nadajdui]

Hmm, maybe find a piece of wood at the local pet store or something. or another ornament that you like that won't change the water chemistry?
And yes, definitely add some more tetras of the same kind, at least 4. Do you have any plants? Those can do wonders at adding security, as well as look nice

 

[ArroWanaWhitey]

several live plants, yes

 

[nadajdui]

Cool, maybe get more live plants. Amazon Sword Plants are pretty good and hardy.

 

[chibi]

Is your tank new? They may need to just settle down a bit before being secure. I had a gourami who was really shy. After a few weeks, he acted like he owned the tank! I've never heard of water parameters effecting fish behavior. I'd get them a shelter like a little cave or hollowed wood and give them some time.

 

[nadajdui]

Water parameters definitely effect fish behavior. If you put, say, colombia tetras into a tank with a Ph of 7.6, water hardness of, let's say 20 or so, when they were used to a Ph of 6.5 and a water hardness of 4 they are definitely going to hide and try and escape, and be completely miserable.
If you want your fish to thrive, and not just survive, you need to meet their needs.