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Prophet714

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 17, 2008
145
1
0
S. Cali
Hello MFK,

ive recently obtained a 5 inch thin bar. He's been settling in for a month and is about 5.5 or 6 inches now. He'd usually hide in this cave that i provided him, but would come out and beg for food when he sees me. Lately, he hasn't been doin that. either that, or his appetite has drastically changed. I have to lure him out now for him to come eat. I hope its not that sudden death that i sometimes read about on these forums

anyhow, my questions is, should i remove that cave? I'd like to see him more often, and ive noticed some people having a bare tank. im thinkin it would stress him out a bit, but he should be ok after like a week or so right? I just dont want him to get used to hiding and being static instead of swimmin around my tank. what do you guys think?
 
deffinently get dither fish, maybe even some more hiding spots so that hell go from one hiding spot to another every once in a while, its confusing and i dont really understand but it is supposed to work for bichirs so why not try it.
 
Oh... i already have 4 tinfoil barbs in there. they eat everything though =/

will try ur cave suggestions..

any other thoughts? keep them coming =)
 
Razman;1556055; said:
deffinently get dither fish, maybe even some more hiding spots so that hell go from one hiding spot to another every once in a while, its confusing and i dont really understand but it is supposed to work for bichirs so why not try it.
Click to expand...

Agreed...100%.

I have 10 indos in a grow out tank and for a while you would never know I even had fish in there. I added a TON of hide spots...plants, driftwood, caves and some dithers (Leporinus striatus) and now they are out all the time.

If you add more hide spots the fish will be out more because they know they have more than one retreat should they feel threatened. If there is only one hide spot then they tend to hand out there because they don't want to risk losing their home.
 
What are your water params? My dats seem most active when myu nitrates are low. When they slow down and darken up i know its time for a water change!
 
ohh.. i should go buy some test kits cause i only have ammonia one. Im sure the water is ok, because i change it either 1 every week or every other. the tank has been established before and has been runnin for a good 5 years.

ill get back to you on that though. what type of parameters were you lookin for?
 
Well, since he has only 1 cave right now, he's being very territorial. If anything comes to the opening of the cave, he would dart out and shoo the intruder away. Is this normal? i remember reading dats are usually aggressive towards their own species. Should i take out that cave for now until i get a lot more? I dont want him getting used to being mean, that would defeat the purpose of having a peaceful tank and a relaxing hobby
 
Its completely normal for a fish to defend its "home".
 
he would be streesed alot more i would add another rock or cave or som plants then that will lower agreesion. how much water do you change if water isn't perfect or close they don't look there best. i hope this helps you :)
 
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