ornate is really shy

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rixy

rixy

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 18, 2005
399
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cornwall,england
hi,i bought a 7 inch ornate approx a week ago and its very shy.it stays behind some bogwood all the time.you never see it.is this normal????i have a delhezi and senegal and they are swimming around in the tank all the time.any tips for encouraging the ornate out plus any feeding tips.does everyones ornate only eat at night after lights out????my del and senegal eat anything any where.thanks in advance mark.
 
it's normal. they tend to be more nocturnal when smaller then start to come out more when they are bigger.
 
I have had two in my life. In the 15 months or so that I had them I saw them for about eight hours total. They would come out every fourth or fifth feeding. Mine were about 12" when I gave them away. Best looking bichir in my opinion. Least desirable to me becase of their reclusive/nocturnal nature.
 
I must be really lucky because mine is about 5 inches and out all the time. It is my second bichir and the best so far.
 
if ur bichir hides all day, remove the decor :) i left only a lil fake plant sitting at the bottom of the tank and he doesn't even use that anymore. up n down the walls all day, and its only about 6"
 
hi,it still hides all the time.i love its markings but hate it hiding all the time.i'm really thinking about trading it in at the lfs for another bichir.not sure what to get though.tank is a 75 gallon.it would be with a senegal and delhezi.
 
Ornates when small tend to be very nocturnal,It's highly likely its all over the place at night and just resting during the day-Anne

this will usually change with size and age
 
it is approx 8 inches anne.i think its a stunning looking fish but,i dont want it to hide all the time.i know i cant change its habits but id rather have a more active bichir that i can actually see.should i keep it and hope it comes out more often(nil at the moment) or take it back to my lfs and get anothe bichir.if so,what would fit in my 75 gallon with my 8 inch senegal and my 8 inch delhezi.
 
dude, either u dont spend much time with ur fish, or you dont really care for the fish, and u just want an ornate. you've bought the fish, you've cared for the fish, might as well keep the fish. you can't buy a dog n jus get rid of it cuz you can't get it to play fetch... give the fish time and let it get to know you. mine NEVER hides, i mean NEVER. i've had it for about 3 months now.
 
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