Skittish fish in my 180

[anzo1993]

Hello, in the last month I’ve noticed the fish in my 180 have gotten very skittish, run at the sight of me across the tank terrified, there all still eating but not infront of me, A month ago I found them to be much less skittish, the current stock is an azul peacock bass of 4inches, a flagtail tetra of 4.5 inches, a 4 inch harlequin lancer catfish, a 3 inch Indonesian tiger Datnoid and a 3 inch Polypterus , everyone gets along great I’d say the tank boss is the Datnoid, wondering if anyone had advice to what I can do to have them be less skittish? I’ve checked the water and everything is fine there so I’m wondering if maybe I should add some rainbow fish as dithers to possibly help?

 

[Deadeye]

Dither fish should help plus a lot of cover. They are getting to a size where they naturally are easy prey for birds and mammals, so they are going to be very skittish until they put on more size. Extra caves and floating plants plus dithers can help to make it feel more comfortable.

 

[anzo1993]

Dither fish should help plus a lot of cover. They are getting to a size where they naturally are easy prey for birds and mammals, so they are going to be very skittish until they put on more size. Extra caves and floating plants plus dithers can help to make it feel more comfortable.

Thanks for the advice I’m gonna try buying some larger rainbow fish to try and help

 

[Kolton13]

So with my one flowerhorn, muffin, he was VERY skittish when I got him. I would enter my room and he would swim away fast. So I snuck inside my room pulled up a chair and just sat there, he slowly came out and started to let me get close.By the end of the night I can have my fingers in the water and he had no problem with it and he would follow me around my room. I'd suggest just kind of be there, pull up a chair maybe a drink and just watch them. Like all fish they are curious they'll come around

 

[Toiletcar]

Check your water parameters. Ammonia and other spikes can often make fish behave like that. The other thing that could cause it is aggression which doubt you have issues.
Dither fish won’t help because these aren’t aggressive or territorial fish.

 

[anzo1993]

Check your water parameters. Ammonia and other spikes can often make fish behave like that. The other thing that could cause it is aggression which doubt you have issues.
Dither fish won’t help because these aren’t aggressive or territorial fish.

I’ll double check again but last time I looked a few days ago everything was good parameter wise, but I’m sure a few extra water changes couldn’t hurt

 

[Toiletcar]

I’ll double check again but last time I looked a few days ago everything was good parameter wise, but I’m sure a few extra water changes couldn’t hurt

Its good to check just in case. Spikes can happen in a well established tank. Happened to me a year ago. A behavior change means something is not right IMO.
The only other thing I’d suggest is more hiding spots or cover. Not 100% sure on your species because I believe most are open water fish. But an aquarium in an unnatural environment so behavior can be different than the wild.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Can you post a picture of the tank? Most often this comes down to adequate cover, tank too bright, etc. I do think dither fish could potentially help them to be less shy and frightened. But maybe first move would be to adjust decor, depending how it looks now.

 

[anzo1993]

Can you post a picture of the tank? Most often this comes down to adequate cover, tank too bright, etc. I do think dither fish could potentially help them to be less shy and frightened. But maybe first move would be to adjust decor, depending how it looks now.

So I got a picture excuse the algae mess lol also update is a 150 gallon tank my mistake

 

[Toiletcar]

So I got a picture excuse the algae mess lol also update is a 150 gallon tank my mistake

View attachment 1450210

I like the algae. At least it’s mostly green. I grow it like that on the back on purpose. The fish like to snack on it. Even my robertsoni seem to enjoy it.