Asian Aro Personalities

[islandmisfit]

Hey Gang,

I have posted before about a skittish young aro. I am begining to think it has a very shy personality. It has grown to about 9” but never really changed its behaviour much. Most of the time stays in one corner or the other at the back of the tank. It never really eats a lot and will only eat once a day also crazy picky . I do not suspect any health issues as it appears fine, feceas appear normal, no flashing , respiration rate seems normal just shy as hell. i keep hoping it will outgrow this but at this point does not seem likely. Water quality is quite good also. Currently has a group of 3-4” Uaru in with it as they seem to coexist well. Definitey seems happier with other fish in the tank then alone. I do not know if there could be any other health issues or like i said a bunk personality. Its a blood red from good gentics and is quite beautiful when it comes out... fins are colouring up nicely...just damn boring....expensive fish to just stay in a corner. I am wondering if anyone has experienced this ornif they grew out of it or any other possible issue. thanks

 

[islandguy11]

I'm sure there are others here who can answer this question better but I can only say that in my pretty intensive online research last couple of months I've seen so many reports of this same thing (Aro staying in corner) -- and almost always with the same advice: "give it time, Aro is still getting used to new tank/enviro, some faster, some slower."

Then after reading all those threads I also experienced the same with my first Golden XB not long ago -- she'd cruise around more of the tank come feeding time, but 95% of the time she'd just stay in one corner. So to answer your question, no I personally don't think your Aro's got a bunk personality, sounds almost like the status quo for these fish until they get bigger and more confident -- and yes, agreed it's kinda frustrating to have such a cool, beautiful fish and not see it swim about, I felt same, but I guess it just comes down to patience -- and if this fish can help me learn more about patience, it can only be a good thing

Btw, I think I also made the mistake I think of putting that fish in too big of a tank immediately upon arrival (she was 10-11" in a 8' / 325 gallon tank with just a small Datnoid and juvi Flagfish) so I think it was a bit intimidating. For my new GHXB just arrived, I have him solo in a 4' tank for now; so far he's looking pretty relaxed and more willing to move around the tank, but let's see how he does over next days. I have a new 7' tank being made now but will likely keep him in the 4' for at least 3-6 months (then maybe use a divider in the larger tank). Not sure if it's actually affecting your Aro but out of curiosity what size is your tank?

 

[islandmisfit]

thanks for the reply. my tank is 8’ close to 300gallon. I also put it in this tank upon arrival. Hopefully it comes around . A couple of people i spoke with suggested it was unusual behaviour given the fact that it eats regularly. Glad im not the only one aeeing this.

 

[MariaS]

thanks for the reply. my tank is 8’ close to 300gallon. I also put it in this tank upon arrival. Hopefully it comes around . A couple of people i spoke with suggested it was unusual behaviour given the fact that it eats regularly. Glad im not the only one aeeing this.

islandmisfit ....
You can have your water parameters checked, to give you peace of mind in your heart

But, it is not uncommon for them to take a while to settle
Our first Asian, a Red Tail Gold, when she arrived as a baby was also just as skittish as yours.
Didn't like anyone near the tank and it took a long time for it to settle...
It was eventually ok with my son and gradually it became better and by the time she was 2 she was pretty stable
Today, at the age of 4, it loves the whole family and will rub herself against the glass when you next to the tank.

The Supper red, arrived slightly bigger at probably18cm
She was totally different
Went straight into a 2.2m tank as behaved like it grew up in the tank all its life

The Chilli Red..... was a total nightmare
She was at the importers for some time before we bought her and when she came home... my God... she was scared of everything
Would hide... dart around... not want to eat..
I still think something happened while she was in the holding tanks but I cant be sure
She made me almost cry a few times... would stick herself against the back corner during water changes...
Any way... with a heavy heart of disappointment and feeling sorry for her, I just persisted and very slowly things started coming right.
I have had her for two years now and now eats out my hand.. lets both myself and my son pat her, comes right up and rubs herself on the glass against your hand..

So..... hang in there
Don't change your routine and what you need to do because you scared of making it worse.
Work in the tank in your normal way and ignore her
I even had ray pups I fed with tongs in the tank and I just carried on.
In time and patience it will come right and when it does its an awesome feeling
All the best!

 

[islandguy11]

islandmisfit ....
You can have your water parameters checked, to give you peace of mind in your heart

But, it is not uncommon for them to take a while to settle
Our first Asian, a Red Tail Gold, when she arrived as a baby was also just as skittish as yours.
Didn't like anyone near the tank and it took a long time for it to settle...
It was eventually ok with my son and gradually it became better and by the time she was 2 she was pretty stable
Today, at the age of 4, it loves the whole family and will rub herself against the glass when you next to the tank.

The Supper red, arrived slightly bigger at probably18cm
She was totally different
Went straight into a 2.2m tank as behaved like it grew up in the tank all its life

The Chilli Red..... was a total nightmare
She was at the importers for some time before we bought her and when she came home... my God... she was scared of everything
Would hide... dart around... not want to eat..
I still think something happened while she was in the holding tanks but I cant be sure
She made me almost cry a few times... would stick herself against the back corner during water changes...
Any way... with a heavy heart of disappointment and feeling sorry for her, I just persisted and very slowly things started coming right.
I have had her for two years now and now eats out my hand.. lets both myself and my son pat her, comes right up and rubs herself on the glass against your hand..

So..... hang in there
Don't change your routine and what you need to do because you scared of making it worse.
Work in the tank in your normal way and ignore her
I even had ray pups I fed with tongs in the tank and I just carried on.
In time and patience it will come right and when it does its an awesome feeling
All the best!

Those are amazing stories about the different behaviors of each Arowana -- though all with the eventual same nice ending, the fish giving you some loving back, awesome. And as always I admire your patience and perseverance MariaS, esp. with the Chili Red -- I would have needed a psychiatrist to help get me through that!

 

[islandmisfit]

thanks for the experienced opinion! I agree its a patience game with these guys. I think thats what drew me in among other things. I am very routine with my tank maintenance. The funny thing is during water changes its out and about...no idea how that makes sense...ha.

 

[MariaS]

thanks for the experienced opinion! I agree its a patience game with these guys. I think thats what drew me in among other things. I am very routine with my tank maintenance. The funny thing is during water changes its out and about...no idea how that makes sense...ha.

Hahha.. I now just say... its being an Arowana teenager!!