Hiding Frontosa.

[gasser]

Just venting but I may need to tear down my newly redone 600 gallon Frontosa tank. I’ve had a really nice 3D background for last 15 years. I had a plumbing failure which killed most of my previous fish so I started over. In the process of re plumbing I left holes in the background around the areas where the return pipes penetrated the background thus giving the fish access to behind the background.
I really thought they would swim back there but be out for the most part. WRONG. They freaking live back there 99% of the time. They pop out briefly to feed but that’s it. They are the most skittish fish I’ve ever kept.

advice other than draining the tank, cutting holes big enough for me to get them all out from behind and then foaming it all in before adding them back into the tank? It’s been 8 months or so and has not gotten better.

 

[tlindsey]

Just venting but I may need to tear down my newly redone 600 gallon Frontosa tank. I’ve had a really nice 3D background for last 15 years. I had a plumbing failure which killed most of my previous fish so I started over. In the process of re plumbing I left holes in the background around the areas where the return pipes penetrated the background thus giving the fish access to behind the background.
I really thought they would swim back there but be out for the most part. WRONG. They freaking live back there 99% of the time. They pop out briefly to feed but that’s it. They are the most skittish fish I’ve ever kept.

advice other than draining the tank, cutting holes big enough for me to get them all out from behind and then foaming it all in before adding them back into the tank? It’s been 8 months or so and has not gotten better.

View attachment 1396490

neutrino https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/how-to-get-frontosa-to-stop-hiding.597769/

 

[gasser]

Yes, I already read that thread No help there. Pretty sure I either wait until they get big enough that they can’t fit or I drain the tank, get them all out and seal off the background. The risk of loosing a few fish is real so not excited about any of my options But that’s likely my only solution.
Worst case is I have to tear out my old background and replace it. Not something I really want to do.

 

[neutrino]

That's a tough one, given the size and configuration of your tank. Sounds like by this time their present routine has become their way of life. In a more open tank I'd typically say lower the water level then use some form of divider to shepherd them into one end of the tank to catch them, or progressively divide the tank in a way that gives them a smaller and smaller space within the tank until they're more accessible/catchable, but that doesn't look like much of an option--- at least not without some tear down, which is your problem in the first place.

Other than what you've said, anything I can think of would involve enticing them out with food and might have to be done over a period of time. Something like progressively blocking access points down to just a couple and then just one, meanwhile getting them into a routine of coming out for an enticing food or treat... not saying it's the answer, which you'd have to judge for yourself, considering your tank configuration.

I assume there isn't access behind the tank, so you couldn't do something like chase them out from behind-- through one of the access holes-- into a waiting net held by a helper. How many and how big are they?

Ime fronts tend to get over skittishness over time, to the point some will hand feed or let you touch them without much drama-- but it's a process and usually involves a tank with somewhat minimal hiding places. Not that saying so does anything for your present dilemma. Like I say, I can see it would be a tough one with your tank setup.

 

[A201]

I know that die hard Frontosa keepers prefer a species only tank. If you're open to the addition of a few aggressive (male only) Mbuna varieties, that might solve your problem. The Mbuna would likely take over the porous decorative background, flushing the Frontosas to the front.
I keep an African Reef community. The Peacocks & Haps swim freely above the reef. The Mbuna claim the rocky reef & chase the others away when they venture too close. Usually no injuries.
Maybe a longshot suggestion, but tearing down a huge tank isn't all that appealing to me. Might be worth a try.

 

[gasser]

I know that die hard Frontosa keepers prefer a species only tank. If you're open to the addition of a few aggressive (male only) Mbuna varieties, that might solve your problem. The Mbuna would likely take over the porous decorative background, flushing the Frontosas to the front.
I keep an African Reef community. The Peacocks & Haps swim freely above the reef. The Mbuna claim the rocky reef & chase the others away when they venture too close. Usually no injuries.
Maybe a longshot suggestion, but tearing down a huge tank isn't all that appealing to me. Might be worth a try.

I’ve thought of this. I have some peacocks and Mbuna in a temp pond. The survivors of my old tank crash. I really wanted to keep a lake specific tank but agree that the Mbuna would likely flush them out.
As for flushing them out for capture, only way I can see is to drain the tank after setting my Quaranteen tubs up again I have 10 Fronts all around 5-7”. Then move sand back from the background and cut along the bottom and flush them out.
thanks for the ideas. I’ll tackle this in a few months.
They do come out at night and during feeding but they eat in about 2-3 minutes then they are gone.

 

[gasser]

Well, after a few months I’ve decided to fix this background issue once and for all. I’ve ordered two new tanks for my fish room. One 4’ tank and a 6’ tank both 30” tall and deep. I’ll use these to hold my fish while the big tank is down for its make over. I’ll plumb everything to my central sump system which runs on a continuous water change setup.
then I’m going to tear down the 600 gallon and replace the background with something new. Not gonna be fun but will in the end, look so much better.
Once the 600 is back on line I’ll have two great tanks out back for a nice predator pet. The remaining Mbuna I have saved from the previous tank plumbing failure will get their new home and I can break down their temporary pond they have been living in for the last year.

 

[DJRansome]

If it is not too late, I retrieve fish from behind the background all the time. I left an inch back there for the filter intakes.

Slide the net to the bottom in a spot where there is room AND you can press the net against the glass once the fish is in. Keep it pressed against the glass and slide it up to the surface.

For my longer tank a couple of CLEAN dryer vent cleaner brushes help. Once you herd the fish closer to your net, they are slid in behind the background to block retreat.

An extra length of hanger wire helps encourage the fish to the net.

Usually the fish runs out of options or get's tired before I do.

Then block the openings with mesh...I like the black plastic mesh strips used for gutter guards.

 

[gasser]

That would work if my background was like yours however my background is glued in all the way around other than where my return pipes penetrate.
My tank is acrylic so I can’t see behind it well and no access to the top at all, Only from the side.
I’m Afraid my only solution is to re do it all. It will be worth it in the end.

 

[DJRansome]

Yes I purposely have space to walk behind mine for just this reason.