Dither Fish, Rosie reds and a Pike ... I'm confused

[CANADIANSOUP]

I got her from my brother.

Here's a pic of her in my brothers tank. She used to be with a Pleco, GT and Oscar.


Here she is in my tank where she spends most of her time with the same pleco.



So three days after I got her I threw in some Rosie Reds for her to feed on.
She didn't touch them for a while

3 weeks later(as of today) Rosie Red numbers are down to 6(12). I really don't think it was the Pleco.

She's smart. She will feed on frozen krill and/or pellets/Rosie reds when you're either not looking or out of the room.

I want her to come out more, swin around, get active, show me your colors dam it!!!!

So I researched on dither fish, good idea, I'll get some. But then thought "Wait a minute aren't my rosie Reds acting like dither fish?"

what do you think? Should I get dither fish regardless? How do I get her to come out?


Now mind you the tank only has a large piece fotr driftwood, that she hides under. the rest of tank has nothing else. I'm still working on that..

 

[CANADIANSOUP]

Concerning dither fish. I dislike Silver dolars. for some reason when i see them, I get turned off.
Wife wants colors, so I was thinking Aussy rainbows maybe? What would be nice? Clown loaches?

 

[clgkag]

Depending on size rainbows could be expensive feeders. Have you compared your water parameters to your brother's? If the ph or hardness is too different, that could be the cause of the different behavior.

 

[CANADIANSOUP]

Well I called a local Fish stores in the area my brother lives in.

turns out my water coming out of the tap is more desireable than my borther's.
His water is much harder than mine. She's in better water conditions.

Her tanks mates used to be an Oscar, Green terror and a Pleco.
When my brother had her, she remained in her hiding spot most of the time and only comes out for feeding. Which to this day, still doing the same thing, but getting better.


She is starting to come out more. She does recognizes me when i approach the tank.
I just want her to feel comfortable enough to say hey i don't need my cave anymore.

I guess I will have to give her more time.
I was thinking of adding more driftwood to reduce the PH more.

My ammo, Nitrite are Zero, and nitrates are under control.
I perform 50% water change weekly.. She's in excellent water..