First post, first FH, need reassurance.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
S

SwallowTheBear

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 12, 2017
13
9
3
48
Hi guys, first post on here. Been keeping fish on and off all my life. I've just got my first FH, and spent more than double I've ever paid for a single fish!

I've had him for 5 days now and after a good start with standard FH behaviour hes become very shy. Yesterday I rearranged the decor in his tank, after which he was very skittish. He's now dug a huge hole behind a rock and won't come out if there is anyone around.

Water parameters are good, Ammonia & Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5, pH 7.4, temp 26.

Having read through a lot of information on here it has backed up my suspicion that he is just grumpy at the changes especially so soon after the stress of moving here. I also see that my black background and sand have caused him to have turned almost completely black. I guess I just need reassurance after being suprised by such timid behaviour from a FH.

When I get my post count up to 6 I'll post a picture of him.
 
SwallowTheBear said:
Hi guys, first post on here. Been keeping fish on and off all my life. I've just got my first FH, and spent more than double I've ever paid for a single fish!

I've had him for 5 days now and after a good start with standard FH behaviour hes become very shy. Yesterday I rearranged the decor in his tank, after which he was very skittish. He's now dug a huge hole behind a rock and won't come out if there is anyone around.

Water parameters are good, Ammonia & Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5, pH 7.4, temp 26.

Having read through a lot of information on here it has backed up my suspicion that he is just grumpy at the changes especially so soon after the stress of moving here. I also see that my black background and sand have caused him to have turned almost completely black. I guess I just need reassurance after being suprised by such timid behaviour from a FH.

When I get my post count up to 6 I'll post a picture of him.
Click to expand...



Welcome aboard :)

Give FH a little more time to getting comfortable with its new environment and you approaching the aquarium. Also may consider dither fish if it remains shy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: calichai
tlindsey said:
Welcome aboard :)

Give FH a little more time to getting comfortable with its new environment and you approaching the aquarium. Also may consider dither fish if it remains shy.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reassurance. I'll try dither fish if he really can't settle. Would prefer not to if at all possible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
Could be the heat, they like it high. Keep them at around 29-30° maybe that will help. I would gradually increase the heat over a few days/ week.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SwallowTheBear
Increasing temp slowly, he is very very slowly settling again. No longer skittish, and comes out for food as soon as I move away from the tank. He has dug a huge deep hole behind a rock lol. The house will be empty for 4 days next week, which should give him a chance to settle into his tank. Hopefully he will then get used to movement around the tank quicker.
 
Here's some pictures of him now I've hit 6 posts. The red was a lot more prominent on him when I bought him. AS were the blue highlights. He's virtually black now. I have black background and sand which I read isn't good. I will replace both in the next few weeks, but I think I should get him settled before I disrupt things again.

20171009_104025.jpg

20171009_104311.jpg

IMG-20171009-WA0008.jpeg
 
Sand is fine as is the background. I run light color sand and blscked out background on mine
 
He is dark from stress. Give it some time. Keeping fish all your life you should have an idea about these things.

As far as getting your fish used to movement, you need to be around the tank all the time.

My GT's tank is center of all the action and he is bold and beautiful. Badass glassbanger too. Tanks that rarely see action will have shy fish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom