Skittish Dwarf Gourami?

[SkiFletch]

Hey all, I recently added a Male Dwarf into my community tank (stock list in sig) a few days ago. Since then he's been really skittish would be the best way to describe him. Whenever I come near the tank he goes and hides in my plants. And when I did my weekly water change tonight he hid inside my fake pirate ship... When I'm a decent bit away from the tank, he swims around pretty normally and explores the tank a lot, hes just really skittish around me. Is this a somewhat normal behavior for solitary male dwarfs, especially those new to tanks? Will he remain this skittish while I have him, or will he too get used to me like my guppies/cardinals?

Just in case some of you ask, the tank has been fully cycled for a month and ammonia/nitrite/nitrate are 0/0/10 with a pH of 7.6 so no problems there.

 

[Phinny]

I currently have three Dwarf Gouramis and I did some research before I got them.

From what I understand they are a pretty shy fish. I try to keep the noise level down and I remember that one site recommened that the dwarf be in a fairly low traffic area.

I'm not sure the behavour of a single dwarf but I know that mine warmed up to me pretty soon. Right now I sit about two feet away from my tank and I watch them. They seem really okay with that.
And lately I've been looking at them really close because they are pretty active right now for some reason.

I hope that helps alittle.
TT

 

[sylvia]

As long as he is eating, this is normal and he should soon get over it. If you had room in your tank, I would have suggested adding a couple of females. As things stand, I'd just stick to the single male and he'll gradualy warm up to you.