For those who really care for their fish, I need your advice!!

[we4wieners]

I have a fish. I've had him since he was a lil guy. He's now a good 9-10" and extremely healthy. I had to recently move him into a larger tank...about a month ago. He has never really adapted to his new home. In fact, he has become much darker and constantly lays in the corner as if depressed. He still eats very well and swims around. I've added some dithers to catch his attention, occasionally dropped a mirror in, and have personally played with him. Yet, he still returns to his depressing behavior. He doesn't respond to my presence like he used to. Very despondant and lonely is a way to describe his demeanor. My water quality is not the issue. I have no idea why he's acting like this. I am really saddened by the whole thing.
I am wondering if I should find him another home. He is in a 75g and has plenty of room. Please be honest, should I attempt to get him into a new home?

 

[knifegill]

Is the new tank in the same location as the old tank? Maybe something is scaring him when his attention isn't drawn away from whatever it is. Anything red, elongated, maybe something that looks like a face with eyes?

 

[we4wieners]

Is the new tank in the same location as the old tank? Maybe something is scaring him when his attention isn't drawn away from whatever it is. Anything red, elongated, maybe something that looks like a face with eyes?

Its in a completely different room. In fact, he was in the bedroom. we wanted to move him where we'd have more interaction with him in our living room. Cant imagine what could be scaring him. He used to go insane when I walked into the room, now he just stares into "fish" space...Damn it really bums me out! I am so frustrated, I get all ticked off that I cant help him out.

 

[knifegill]

Are there brighter lights, etc. in the new room? I'd at least try moving his new tank to the old location to see if he gets back to normal. Truth is, plenty of fish hate moving. Once they learn their territory they really get attached to it.

 

[MonsterMinis]

Did he have a particular peice of decor he liked? I know it sounds silly. But useing the same decor from the old tank brought my Oscar around when I moved him. Bribery also seems to actually help by offering him some treats as you've done.

personally I don't think you should find him a new home, likely he'll be fine but it may take awhile to come around again.

Keep doing what your doing and I'm sure he'll come around.

 

[we4wieners]

Did he have a particular peice of decor he liked? I know it sounds silly. But useing the same decor from the old tank brought my Oscar around when I moved him. Bribery also seems to actually help by offering him some treats as you've done.

personally I don't think you should find him a new home, likely he'll be fine but it may take awhile to come around again.

Keep doing what your doing and I'm sure he'll come around.

I suppose I question whether I should or should not find him a home is pretty mucha for selfish reasons. I cant stand to see him like this. His old tank didn't have any plants. This new one has a ton of them. maybe I'll remove them. This tank hasa much darker feel than the previous tank. background, substrate, decorations...everything is darker. Also, I was suggested to maybe add a slightly smaller parrot fish or something similar. I have acouple of larger parrots in another tank. Now he's had some dithers, he may accpet the parrots. Could try it...

 

[MonsterMinis]

Even though you hate seing them unhappy. Would someone else give him better care realistically? I doubt it tbh. As long as he's eating I wouldn't be to worried about him comeing around. It's when they stop eating that should get concerning. TBH I would consider changeing out some of the decor in the tank to make it look like his old one more. maybe swap the gravel out for the same or similar might be enough.

I'm not sure I would add anymore fish at this time. It's possible to add to the stress. Even a parrot if curiouse may start takeing pot-shots at the depressed fish in the corner. maybe keep the lights off for a few days as well. Or just leave him alone.. It's always a hard call when it comes to more psychological issues. I always trust my gut on whats best in a situation. You know the fish better 'n anyone else, what do you think will help him be happy?

and yes yes peopel will argue "Happy" is a general term.. and that it doesn't apply to aniamls liek it does people.. ect ect... It's not a matter of personifying the fish.. it's a matter of finding out whats bothering it. because obviously something is. Hopefully my rambleing helps.

 

[we4wieners]

Even though you hate seing them unhappy. Would someone else give him better care realistically? I doubt it tbh. As long as he's eating I wouldn't be to worried about him comeing around. It's when they stop eating that should get concerning. TBH I would consider changeing out some of the decor in the tank to make it look like his old one more. maybe swap the gravel out for the same or similar might be enough.

I'm not sure I would add anymore fish at this time. It's possible to add to the stress. Even a parrot if curiouse may start takeing pot-shots at the depressed fish in the corner. maybe keep the lights off for a few days as well. Or just leave him alone.. It's always a hard call when it comes to more psychological issues. I always trust my gut on whats best in a situation. You know the fish better 'n anyone else, what do you think will help him be happy?

and yes yes peopel will argue "Happy" is a general term.. and that it doesn't apply to aniamls liek it does people.. ect ect... It's not a matter of personifying the fish.. it's a matter of finding out whats bothering it. because obviously something is. Hopefully my rambleing helps.

i agree. I am gonna try to rearrange his tank to a lighter colored theme and see how it goes. I do take very good care of him and he probably would not do so well in another tank. Guess I just needed to hear it. He is a good buddy of mine and I'd like to keep it that way. BTW, he's a big @$$ Red Dragon Flowerhorn.

 

[jerzyperson]

how long has he been in the new tank? and how often do you mess with the tank? i notice myself that i decide to do all the major work that would in my mind make my fish happy, after the move, which isn't a good idea, because your adding to the stress of the move. if you let him be, and don't mess with the tank, and even minimize the activity around it, sometimes they will snap out of it. or he could be pouting, because he had his own territory, now he is in a bigger tank, and doesn't know that its all his. adding more fish would only topple that, and stress him out more while the other fish try and dominate the tank.

as most have said so far, i would just lower feeding once a day, if that, lights out. give it a day or two, if he shows no response, lighten up the tank, remove decor. but then do the same thing, lighten the feeding, lights out, and see if there are any other responses. you can't rush perfection, its a long process that i have gone through with many fish. but i think it might work.

 

[NCStateFisher]

definitely try the substrate, my little GT had a hissy fit like yours when i put in a bag of black sand over the pool filter sand, it has more or less gotten over it.