Pearsei running into walls?

[c4a4y]

Well you may have seen my post of my 3 pearsei that I picked up a couple of weeks ago and they are doing fine except that they freak out when i approach the tank... I don't know what is causing this but thought I could get some help.
Here's the link to my other thread when I got the fish-

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=401423&highlight=Herichthys+Pearsei

My goal is to beef these little guys up and get them up to about 10-12" but it won't be much fun if they spaze out everytime I walk up to the tank. They are feed in the morning and night with 3 cubes of bloodworms in the morning and New life Spectrum pellets.
What can I do or do you know how to fix this?

 

[c4a4y]

Thanks for all the help...

 

[rich_one]

Sorry you haven't received any answers yet. I didn't answer because I'm not real sure what to tell you. My pearsi do not exhibit this behavior. Looking at your tank, I guess if anything jumps out at me, I'd say maybe give them some kind of cover? Try building a cave or something like that where they can hide if they want, and feel more comfortable. That's my two cents anyway... I hope someone with maybe a better suggestion answers you. good luck!

-Rich

 

[JeffLeMay]

you could try dimmer lighting, creating more hiding spaces, rearranging what's currently in the tank, just a few suggestions. unfortunately sometimes fish are just skittish, have kept a few awesome red devils with big personalities but also had one that simply refused to move unless the lights were out

 

[driftwood]

You haven't had them that long so I wouldn't worry about it. Pearsi are very out going fish, at least mine are anyway and are always front and center begging for food. Give them some time and they will come around I'm sure.

 

[terrors r us]

Hi there...my experience (learned it the hard way) with this issue is one
of three things....
1) they are new to the tank and need time to get used to you...
Sol: walk up to the tank slowly..and give them lots of hiding spaces
sit about 4 feet back from the tank for an hour a day.
2) the lights come on (Example, on a timer) and the fish freak out
until there eyes adjust..
Sol: if you could dim the lights up slowly....or give them more hiding spots.
3) One of the most important thing for fish is oxygen...
a spay bar or a sump with a water fall are great....an air stone is not
very good.
Sol: the cheapest way is to get a hang in the back filter and lower the
water level a bit......
(the reason I say Oxygen is because I have seen fish freak out under low oxygen conditions)
Good Luck.....

 

[fish_n_vw]

I have a tank 110 (show) in my room, I have often had an issue with new fish doing this. But only in this tank, I have come to the conclusion that because it is a very low traffic area we simply freak them out by being in the room. I would take the suggestion of approaching the tank slowly and trying to spend more time in the room. but maybee this isent the situation in your case... It seems that my fish really chill after a month or two of the same song and dance. Its gotta be strange going from the lfs where there is always people eyes staring in, and people walking past, to a place where for a large portion of the day nobody is around (work, school, life). Cichlids are pretty smart and once they get the routine down you shouldent have any problems. good luck.