I recently purchased a Blood Parrot (first time I owned one). As expected, he was shy. However, after a few weeks in the tank he was still hiding, or if he was out a bit, he would freak out if anyone came near the tank.
I was on another forum where someone had suggested that a reflective background may cause fish to be skittish. Well I had a very reflective blue background; so I thought I would change it and see what happens.
I know from experience in another tank, the fish do notice and interact with the background. On that tank, I added a 3D rock background image. I could see fish trying to swim towards the dark caves in the picture.
Well I couldn't believe the difference a natural (and busy) background made. The Blood Parrot is now swimming out in front of the tank and no longer freaks out when people walk up to the tank. I guess the BP fells he can now swim into the plants and hide if he really had to.
Another lesson learned.
Here are the before and after shots of the background:
I was on another forum where someone had suggested that a reflective background may cause fish to be skittish. Well I had a very reflective blue background; so I thought I would change it and see what happens.
I know from experience in another tank, the fish do notice and interact with the background. On that tank, I added a 3D rock background image. I could see fish trying to swim towards the dark caves in the picture.
Well I couldn't believe the difference a natural (and busy) background made. The Blood Parrot is now swimming out in front of the tank and no longer freaks out when people walk up to the tank. I guess the BP fells he can now swim into the plants and hide if he really had to.
Another lesson learned.
Here are the before and after shots of the background:
![H]-[H](/forums/data/avatars/s/44/44128.jpg?1463640742){kind=avatar}
