Quick Question

[Violetpiranha]

As most of you know i recently got my rbps, and since i have got them they keep hiding as i put alot of hiding places in as people recommended. So today i was reading through the forums and saw the thread about the lighting so i moved the lights so that the one end of the tank has light and the part where all the hiding places are is almost dark.

Now since doing this 3 of the rbps seem to like it they are actually spending more time in the lighted area than hiding but the other 2 keep hiding and wont come out, now my question is do i have to be worried or are they still just getting used to the new tank as i have only had them for 5 days now. I did also notice that if i turn all the lights off and there is complete darkness that the other 2 eventaully come out.

P.s while typing this the 4th came out with the lights on but went back to hiding pretty quick.

 

[TimTheBadass]

It took over a week for mine to stop hiding and that was with no lights on the tank. I now have lights and they are still happy to come out.

 

[Sanjo Eel]

They are still getting used to the new pad. It may take them a month or two or longer for them to come out. RB's are shy by nature, but since you have 5 they will probably not be as shy than if there were only one or two. Especially as they get bigger they will get bolder as well. One thing I noticed is that they recognize the crinkling sound of the food pellet bag and come right over to you eagerly to be fed. I started doing it on purpose and they know when I am near they might get fed and they are not shy at all!

 

[jp80911]

i'm sure if you leave a video camera and record everything they do when you are not around you'll find they are not bothered by the light. it is you that freaks them out, give them time to get used to you then he'll be out all the time.
I'm having the same issue with my baby caribes. when i check them out at work on my IP camera they are swimming all over the tank. as soon as I'm in front of the tank the all when to hiding.

 

[Violetpiranha]

i'm sure if you leave a video camera and record everything they do when you are not around you'll find they are not bothered by the light. it is you that freaks them out, give them time to get used to you then he'll be out all the time.
I'm having the same issue with my baby caribes. when i check them out at work on my IP camera they are swimming all over the tank. as soon as I'm in front of the tank the all when to hiding.

I got to try that camera thing, that sounds like a cool idea.

 

[Violetpiranha]

They are still getting used to the new pad. It may take them a month or two or longer for them to come out. RB's are shy by nature, but since you have 5 they will probably not be as shy than if there were only one or two. Especially as they get bigger they will get bolder as well. One thing I noticed is that they recognize the crinkling sound of the food pellet bag and come right over to you eagerly to be fed. I started doing it on purpose and they know when I am near they might get fed and they are not shy at all!

I am still trying to get them to eat pellets, they wont have any of it though. They love the blood worms and the fish fillet and sometimes they eat the freeze dried shrimp, but the pellets they let the filter have them lol, 1 of the rbps though is very curious with what happens on the outside he will always watch me and stare at me

 

[Diogenes]

I am still trying to get them to eat pellets, they wont have any of it though. They love the blood worms and the fish fillet and sometimes they eat the freeze dried shrimp, but the pellets they let the filter have them lol, 1 of the rbps though is very curious with what happens on the outside he will always watch me and stare at me

it would seem one of your shoal is the fishy equivalent of a philosopher...

 

[Armand]

As most of you know i recently got my rbps, and since i have got them they keep hiding as i put alot of hiding places in as people recommended. So today i was reading through the forums and saw the thread about the lighting so i moved the lights so that the one end of the tank has light and the part where all the hiding places are is almost dark.

Now since doing this 3 of the rbps seem to like it they are actually spending more time in the lighted area than hiding but the other 2 keep hiding and wont come out, now my question is do i have to be worried or are they still just getting used to the new tank as i have only had them for 5 days now. I did also notice that if i turn all the lights off and there is complete darkness that the other 2 eventaully come out.

P.s while typing this the 4th came out with the lights on but went back to hiding pretty quick.

Hi.

RBP are very skittish and they take time to be confident and yet they can remain skittish for life so get accostumed to their being skittish.

As they get bigger they normally act more confident and agressive, the inclusion of hiding places is good although not as good as everybody thinks for you might find hard to see your P's. I would recommend just some hiding spots, not too much of them because of what I have just said and besides they would never act more confident as they just hide as soon as they see someone approaching the tank so they never get more used to your presence and, this is important, P's can damage their bodies if they are somehow able to get inside the hiding spots, like a little cave or the neck of a clay pot.

So not to overstock your tank regarding stones and deco, you must use non abrasive stuff, use bogwood and mangler roots and just some river rocks.

Cheers.

 

[Violetpiranha]

Hi.

RBP are very skittish and they take time to be confident and yet they can remain skittish for life so get accostumed to their being skittish.

As they get bigger they normally act more confident and agressive, the inclusion of hiding places is good although not as good as everybody thinks for you might find hard to see your P's. I would recommend just some hiding spots, not too much of them because of what I have just said and besides they would never act more confident as they just hide as soon as they see someone approaching the tank so they never get more used to your presence and, this is important, P's can damage their bodies if they are somehow able to get inside the hiding spots, like a little cave or the neck of a clay pot.

So not to overstock your tank regarding stones and deco, you must use non abrasive stuff, use bogwood and mangler roots and just some river rocks.

Cheers.

Thanks for the advise Armand. A little update so far 3 of the 5 now are alot more confident, they dont care if i am there or not. The other 2 still wont come out if i am there and the lights are on, but come out as soon as i put them off, but they are starting to come out of there shells

Anyway a big thanks again to all for the help.