Sev problem

[scott_n06]

Hello all,

I have a 55gal tank with a 6-7in gold severum, 3-4in green sev and 2 bovarian rams. My problem is my Gold Sev hides in a cave all day every day even when its feeding time he wont come out until I walk away. I got the green sev hoping that companionship would bring him out and that didnt work. Then I got some floating plants still didnt work, after that I tried tinting the lids to reduce the intensity thinking it might be bothering its eyes still a no go. I am out of ideas, I love this fish and have had it for several years and dont want to get rid of it but I am seriously concidering it.

Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[inssane]

Some sevs are just like that
Is this a recent issue? How long has it been happening?
Are your water parameters in check?
Is there enough "ground cover" plants and such that aren't floating?

 

[scott_n06]

Some sevs are just like that
Is this a recent issue? -No its been a problem for a while I got my other ideas from another forum and it didnt work.

How long has it been happening? -Its been getting close to a year now. before this he was always out doing the "feed me dance"


Are your water parameters in check? -Last time I checked they were fine I should probably do it again its been awhile.

Is there enough "ground cover" plants and such that aren't floating? I have alot of rocks, caves and driftwood but no plants.

I thought about getting some dither fish for some movement. It just drives me insane to have a beautiful fish that I never see.

 

[inssane]

I understand.
Watch out on dithers, I have a thread or two discussing my "disappearing" issues...

 

[scott_n06]

Thanks for your help, Ill be sure to get some bigger tetras or something.

 

[inssane]

Probably your best bet.
Maybe a tetra on the "higher" side.

Also, mine seems to hang more by my plant cover than rocks and such.
Maybe try this - THEN add some dithers
Reduce stress how you can. So far I am having good luck with Pristellas - HY511s should be good too. Congos get too big for my taste, but those work too.

 

[scott_n06]

Thanks, do you think live plants would be better or just plastic ones?
If live what would be good in low light?
I think I only have like 1-2 watts per gallon.

 

[Blues14]

Congo tetras....Rosy/tiger barbs...rainbowfish....etc

 

[inssane]

Sevs can and will at some point go after plants.
I have the cloth plants because they look very very natural. Some even have a "bulb and roots" for a natural look out of the substrate, and if the sev pulls it up, it's much easier than standard plastics to put back in.

I wouldn't waste time on a planted anything with Sevs.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Columbian tetras are nice and can get pretty beefy, higher bodied too. Buenos aires tetras are more common, have similar colors, but are more streamlined. Might be a good color contrast with the gold--they're silver with some red and a hint of blue (both species).