Ornate mistake I don't want to repeat, but already am

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S

Sarcipious

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 19, 2012
23
0
0
seattle WA
My ornate lives in a fake/ceramic driftwood piece. It has holes that allow it to fill with water so it does not float and those are his doors.
I do not see him except with a flashlight aiming @ those entries, and that's seldom.
I read a post here about a person who had this issue and began to stuff food in the "hideout" and the bichar ended up dying in his house as he got too big to leave.
I have been making the same mistake and stuffinvg bloddworms in the ceramic with him because I felt bad because he wasn't out eating.
I know I can't keep feeding him like this or he will never be a "normal" fish anyway.
Living in the cave isn't much of a life for him or me, but I don't want him to starve to death.
Can I expect him to come out if I stop the room service?
He wouldn't starve to death just to stay hidden I hope.

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Just get rid of the decoration. I had a 3 inch irwini cat that would always hide in a decoration. I got rid of it and got him some driftwood. I see him everyday now.
 
get rid of the decor as alot of us said. Bichirs don't always need decor to live happily. My retropinnis used to be super shy and aggresive when he had has hideout. I was going to sell him until oneday I just randomly took out his hideout. Now my retro is a very peaceful and outgoing fish! A bichir will never starve itself to death.
 
The other problem with hollow ornaments is stagnant water which can result in bacterial infections. As others have said, regardless of the type of fish, avoid using any hollow ornaments in your tank.
 
Agree, would recommend ditching current layout. Low light and an open end log/ that has entrance and exit you could posisiton and look through. Something like the attached picture. Feed consistantly the same time of day/night. Your critter will venture out when hungry enough. View attachment 876034
 
Shopko said:
Agree, would recommend ditching current layout. Low light and an open end log/ that has entrance and exit you could posisiton and look through. Something like the attached picture. Feed consistantly the same time of day/night. Your critter will venture out when hungry enough. View attachment 876034
Click to expand...
I agree with this idea, those caves are cheap and great to use.
 
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