Dilemma

[gahardy]

Dilemma! Don't give your fish several places to hide (bogwood, plants, pipe etc.) fish often become stressed. This may not be overtly apparent when viewing fish but may show up as hunger strike or listlessness. Give your fish plenty of places to hide and often the fish revert to wild behavior, most likely panic when caught exposed. This is the trouble I am having with the two adult females of a (hopefully, fingers crossed) breeding trio of Ornate Bichirs. This is the problem I am having. The three I purchased as Adults recently and while the male is quite settled the two females are turning quite feral. They have good hiding places amongst a pile of bogwood and that is pretty much where the females spend all of their time, so when caught exposed when I come to view, feed or work on the tank, all hell breaks loose.

I have seen this type of reverting behaviour before with other animals (snakes, lizards, turtles) that were not handled often.

So my question is this. Do you help the fish feel safe and secure with plenty of hiding places, or do you warm them to your presence by keeping them exposed?

Funny side to this story. A few days ago I deemed my `pet` Oscar big enough to go in the tank with them. I was thinking he would be a good dither fish. Stupid me. Instead of bring them around he has begun hiding with them

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

I found out that out of all bichirs, ornate are usually reclusive. Its just its nature. Dont worry too much. When feeding, sit absolutely still. Move not a muscle and they will come out after some time

 

[angryinsect]

isn't natural behavior what you are trying to achieve? getting fish to breed under natural conditions is gonna be easier that artificial ones. just some thing to think about

 

[gahardy]

Yes I agree. It is just that I really get disappointed when the site of me starts a panic frenzy. Another problem with the bogwood pile is I am very afraid they are going to hurt themselves on it when they panic.

 

[gahardy]

I am thinking that acquiring fully grown Bichirs from someone else that has raised them might not be the best idea. Get them young and raise them yourself is most likely better. My grays don't panic when I come near, they seem to be very happy. Food, food, where's the food?!!

 

[angryinsect]

bichirs are are tough and won't hurt themselves on the wood, mine thrash through the wood pile all the time with no injury. the problem with getting small bichirs is that they don't breed till they are 3-5 years old.

 

[gahardy]

Yes this was my thinking too. That it would be nice to have adult that are ready to breed.

 

[angryinsect]

Yes this was my thinking too. That it would be nice to have adult that are ready to breed.

you need to find some 20''+ wild caughts if patience is a problem. i have a male and female @15-16'' and i figure aleast ayear or 2 away from breeding. they spend lots of time together but no courting behavior as of yet

 

[gahardy]

The fellow I got this trio from noticed lots of interest by the male and when they first arrived the male followed the females everywhere rubbing his head against theirs but now that the females like to hide alot he ends up swimming by himself. Mind you know that I put the Oscar in the tank the male and the Oscar swim together.

 

[Laticauda]

Go to walmart or a craft store, and buy some fake (realistic looking) plants, and have them floating, to provide cover for the fish when they are not in their bogwood pile. I believe this will help create security, instead of leaving them "exposed."