How do I get my little dats to be more active?

[asm129]

I have small IT dats that hide under rocks all the time. Even when I feed them, they'll hide and only come out at the very last second to snatch a few pellets. They used to swim around a lot, but now all they do is just stay under their rocks. The only time they come out is if they haven't been fed for 12 hours, but they quickly hide again when anybody goes near the tank.

Here's my setup:

20 IT dats in a 60g tank. (all about 1-2")
Ammonia/Nitrate/Nitrite all 0
Water changes -- 30% once a week.
Filtration -- 2 AC 110's and 1 Penguin BioWheel 350
Lighting -- For now, no overhead lights. Just dim lighting from a nearby lamp.
Decor -- 3 lava rocks and 1 pvc pipe
Temp -- 86

What can I do to make them come out more? I've thought about taking out all their rocks or maybe adding a bigger, more active dat to make them swim more.

 

[mgk]

you don't happen to have a jerk room mate do you?
sometimes fish become like that when people purposely and repeatedly spook them for fun.

 

[DiscusManiac11]

I have small IT dats that hide under rocks all the time. Even when I feed them, they'll hide and only come out at the very last second to snatch a few pellets. They used to swim around a lot, but now all they do is just stay under their rocks. The only time they come out is if they haven't been fed for 12 hours, but they quickly hide again when anybody goes near the tank.

Here's my setup:

20 IT dats in a 60g tank. (all about 1-2")
Ammonia/Nitrate/Nitrite all 0
Water changes -- 30% once a week.
Filtration -- 2 AC 110's and 1 Penguin BioWheel 350
Lighting -- For now, no overhead lights. Just dim lighting from a nearby lamp.
Decor -- 3 lava rocks and 1 pvc pipe
Temp -- 86

What can I do to make them come out more? I've thought about taking out all their rocks or maybe adding a bigger, more active dat to make them swim more.

I used to have the same problem w/ my 5 ITs and 1 NTT. They would always hide in the log. I decided to take out the log and just left 3 plants in 3 of the 4 corners of the tank. At first they were always unstable, but after a week and a half, they got used to it and were more stable. Now they never hide behind the plants. GL dude.

 

[mubu]

they hate all kinds of light when small.. mine aren't afraid of me when I am feeding them and will eat out of my hands when the lights are off. turn on any light and they scram for the driftwood.

 

[CrAzYNeSs]

they hate all kinds of light when small.. mine aren't afraid of me when I am feeding them and will eat out of my hands when the lights are off. turn on any light and they scram for the driftwood.

ditto.

 

[benzjamin13]

Dither Fish also help. I had Dats in the past that would hide. I threw in a GT and they were always out. I currently have some Pearl Gouramis and the Dats are out a lot of the time.

 

[Hansonboyv]

i think you should get some the same size other fishes with them.

 

[studd muffin]

All dat's are shy. Mine got more active after several months when he got more comfortable with me.

 

[asm129]

Dither Fish also help. I had Dats in the past that would hide. I threw in a GT and they were always out. I currently have some Pearl Gouramis and the Dats are out a lot of the time.

I'll try this. I'm going to try some gouramis. You never had problems with the GT fighting the dats? I'd rather get a GT than a gourami but afraid they'll start fighting. I'd also like to try out some clown loaches. What are the best type of dither fish for small dats like mine?

 

[asm129]

I used to have the same problem w/ my 5 ITs and 1 NTT. They would always hide in the log. I decided to take out the log and just left 3 plants in 3 of the 4 corners of the tank. At first they were always unstable, but after a week and a half, they got used to it and were more stable. Now they never hide behind the plants. GL dude.

I was thinking about taking out the lava rocks I have in my tank. I tried that a few weeks ago for 1 day and some of them would crash into the glass when I got near. What do other people think about taking out their hiding spots?

they hate all kinds of light when small.. mine aren't afraid of me when I am feeding them and will eat out of my hands when the lights are off. turn on any light and they scram for the driftwood.

I know what you mean. I just have dim lighting for them right now (a nearby lamp). I tried to put my 4 ft. light fixture over their tank and they immediately got spooked. I still want to buy lights for them bc they look so much better with tank lights and hopefully they'll get used to it.