Longear Sunfish Hides All Day

[knifegill]

He's got places to hide. It's been about five days since I brought him home. I was going to run a course of Formalin, but only dosed once because he looked stressed afterward. He is a one-inch fish in a fifteen gallon tank. I did a 66% water change today. The temp is at 75º. Aquaclear HOB filter and airstone for slightly more oxygenation. The only things in the tank are the fake plants and plastic stone statue he hides behind. Should I pack the tank with fake plants or something? Dithers? I do have some guppies. Or should I just give him some time to adjust and keep up with normal maintenance after making sure it's seeded and cycled properly? I didn't check parameters today, but he doesn't look stressed by toxins. His breathing is slow and his fins are held high. He just won't come out, that's all.

 

[bumpylemon]

hmmm i would say try and lower the temp a lil bit..thats prob not the issue. a much larger tank would help..they grow pretty quick. did you feed him? what are you feeding him? it might just be he is sick or stressed `

 

[WattaMelon]

It sounds like he's healthy, just stressed. Some fish take to new homes quickly, some take a little longer. I'd leave him alone for a couple of days- no feeding, no sudden changes.

I agree on the larger tank by the way. Your longear is going to outgrow that small tank really fast.

Pictures possible once the fish settles?

 

[knifegill]

Thanks, guys.
The tank is a quarantine/growout. He'll be going into the 55 once he shows good health.
I would love to be able to post pics. Never succeeded, though.
He has taken small amounts of different types of prepared foods.
I've caught him exploring once or twice, so it's probably giant me he's afraid of. I try to stay away, but it's so hard to not have a look now and then, you know? I've got to be sure he's doing alright, after all.

 

[Noto]

Once he learns to associate you with food, he won't be shy any more. My sunfish all congregate at the front of the tank when I walk by and nip at my fingers when I put my hand in the tank.

 

[WattaMelon]

Noto said it. Once your fish learns that you = food, you'll be able to catch your sunny with your bare hand. I love sunnies, they're great fish.

 

[knifegill]

Hey, thanks. I actually saw him out again today. I tried a few thawed "bloodworms" (red aquatic fly larvae) and he jumped out to get them. So I'm just going to keep giving him space and keeping his water clean.

 

[Louie]

Dithers go a long way with nervous fish.

 

[oscarcrazy]

He'll get used to his envioronment in time an be out more. I've had mine for about a year now and he's a glass banger now.

 

[knifegill]

Hey, you guys are right on the money. I decided to roll the dice and try him with my angels. They don't run from me, so now he doesn't either. Angels as dithers...who would have thunk it! Now I've got to keep a close eye on him for aggression.

Say, do longears normally have vertical stripes?