Newbie- depressed dat

[glowbug0015]

Hello,

I think I have an Indo dat. He was in with my community tank until he would be big enough for the 125 (with an aro and bichirs), but I noticed him picking on some of the community fish, so moved him to his own 29 gallon. He was quite active in the 75 gallon community, but now in the 29 he just hides all the time behind the small log I have in there and he's dark. Refused to eat the first three days, but I just saw him eat one of his favorite tablets, so he's at least eating now, if not as tenaciously as before.

Questions: Should I move him back into the community tank so he gets back to his old active self? Should I wait it out and see if he gets less depressed? Should I buy a small school of dither fish to put in the 29 gallon with him?

He's about 3 1/2 inches. It's a bare-bottom 29 gallon, but the log has plants on it and affords him a nice hiding spot. He just seems so skittish now, and he's scared of everything!

advice?

 

[balton777]

Until recently I kept 8 2" IT's in a 28 gallon growout tank and they hid all day and night. I recently moved them to a 156g tank and they're out swimming around at least half the time now. I would guess yours will be back to normal once in a larger tank again.

 

[TCZeli]

I believe its probably because of the lack of other fish. When Dats see alot of fish swimming around they assume the cost is clear and come out, but alone hes going to be much more timid. You can add some fish to the 29, but you might just end up with the same problem of him picking on them, as you had in your 75.

Not sure what fish you have exactly in your 75, and what fish you were thinking about getting for your 29, so advising which one you should do is kinda hard.

 

[glowbug0015]

In the 75 gallon the dat picked mainly on the angel, but got to the point where he was attacking the corycats as well. In the 75 I have: 4 roseline barbs, 1 angel, 1 peacock eel, 1 red-finned loach, 2 alb. corycats, 5 gold tetras (put in after the move), 1 yoyo loach, 2 small plecos (stay small), 6 otos.

I would probably get some tetras as dither fish, none that the dat would consider a snack. Are there any recommendations?

Its good to hear that your two dats survived fine in the small tank, even if they were shy. That's a relief.

 

[TCZeli]

You have alot of fish that will eventually become food for you dat.

If I was in your situation I would move the community fish to the 29 and keep the Dat with some larger dithers, in the 75.

 

[glowbug0015]

the dat is already in the 29 gallon, and he's still quite small. I am confident I will be able to keep the water quality quite high in the 29 gallon until he's large enough for the 125.

Does anyone have a recommended dither fish that the dat won't be able to eat for a while, but will serve to bring him out of hiding?

 

[dbenson]

A few tiger barbs maybe?

 

[Muske]

Large barbs, rainbows(could be pricey though) giant danios.