Curing the phobic RD/Midas??

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Burtess

Candiru
MFK Member
Jun 10, 2006
774
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Ontario, Canada
I have a RD/Midas, approx. 6" TL. I believe it is a female. Presently in a 75gal tank with gravel as substrate, a flowerpot, and a couple pieces of bogwood.

She stays under this bogwood all the time, rarely comes out. I have never had a RD/Midas so timid.

The question is, has anyone ever tried removing all the structure from the tank, so it is just the gravel substrate, and observed the fish get more bold?
If she has no where to hide, maybe this would cure her phobic behavoir?

What do you think?

Burt :)
 
I have all my midas with just gravel, gives them no choice, and it works fine, they get used to me walking by the tank which is when they are usually first timid, and then soon enough they follow me
 
I took my stuff out for a few days, added a couple of "cave" types things back. My m/rd claimed a log and now digs constantly. It is amazing to watch him/her dig for hours in the gravel. He makes giant piles of gravel!

Try taking your stuff out and then add some back. I am starting to beleive that less is more. I put two structures on both ends of my 120 making two distinct territories. It has helped immensely with aggression as well.
 
My Midas was the same way, but once he reached about 8 inches he would come out and try to attack anyone moving by his tank. I kept him full of raw market shrimp and earthworms along with bio gold pellets and weekly 50% water changes. He grew big and chunky real fast
 
i dont think removing the hiding places is a good idea maybe add 3 silver dollars or some dither fish..
 
mbunafishkeeper;1291659; said:
i dont think removing the hiding places is a good idea maybe add 3 silver dollars or some dither fish..
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Its funny you said 3, as I had 3 SD's in with her for the longest time, still stayed hidden...

I may try taking out everything and leaving just gravel. If she continues to try to hide in the back corners or something, I will just put her hiding spots back in and hope she will grow out of it. I certainly don't want her being uncomfortable all the time, I would rather her hide and feel safer.

Burt:)
 
hmmmm, well if the dithers dint work maybe add some smaller things or maybe another cichlid, may not like it but sometimes something for it to attack might help, oh yeh 3 is the magic number!
 
ksfishguy;1291422; said:
BTW, if that is your fish in your "title" section, she's a beaut!
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Thanks, thats my Rose Queen. I bought him when small as a Midas/RD, but it was apparant when he grew that he wasn't. About 11" of pure hell with fins :headbang2

Burt:)
 
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