Shy firemouth

[Community Disorganizer]

I got my firemouth 5 days ago, I have him in my 20 gallon long by himself. I have a giant sickled stone in there, and he hides practically ALL THE TIME. When I feed him, I usually put my hand in and try to entice him to come out by teasing him with a sickled stick. When he doesn't come out, I just trow the stick or the pellet inside the stone. The only times he comes out is when I turn the aquarium lights and all other lights off. I can tell he is active as my tevee is the only light in the room.

I place a Marineland LED light, instead of the standard florescent, and just turn the blue LEDS on since it's less light. I figure he's just getting used to a new environment, but time will tell.

 

[Jason_S]

especially when juvies, firemouths will do much better in groups along with some sort of shoaling or schooling fish. they are very skittish when young. Add a group of small platys and that I'm sure will help a lot. If you could add 2-3 more young firemouths that would also help.

 

[Community Disorganizer]

especially when juvies, firemouths will do much better in groups along with some sort of shoaling or schooling fish. they are very skittish when young. Add a group of small platys and that I'm sure will help a lot. If you could add 2-3 more young firemouths that would also help.

Thanks Jason, but I have him in a 20 gallon. I don't want to add anymore sickleds in as it would be kinda cramped I would think. I would be willing to add a few dither fish though.

 

[Jason_S]

if you were going to be getting a larger tank in the 55 gallon range in say 4-6 months you'd probably be ok. but if you're not planning on an upgrade any time soon then you're right, probably best with just adding the dithers.

 

[Community Disorganizer]

What type of fish do you suggest I add for dithers? In my other 20 gallon, I have a breeding pair of cons, and I have zebra danios as dithers, and a CAE as a target fish.

 

[Community Disorganizer]

Well I went out to the LFS today and picked up 6 small tiger barbs. I always had an affinity for tiger barbs. My firemouth came out briefly, probably to introduce himself, then went back into his sickled stone.

 

[J0ker]

Black ruby barbs and green tiger barbs are cool and would work well

 

[cacichlids]

It will take him a while to figure out it's safe to come out. Fish generally do not do well by themselves and will try to hide most of the time if given the chance, especially when they're introduced to a new environment. You did well by getting some dithers.

 

[Yellow_Perch]

firemouth cichlids like to be shoaled a bit..but if your just gonna have the 20G long still why not get some giant danios..they can reach 4" and there pretty cool looking if you ask me..

 

[Community Disorganizer]

firemouth cichlids like to be shoaled a bit..but if your just gonna have the 20G long still why not get some giant danios..they can reach 4" and there pretty cool looking if you ask me..

Well I take the top completely off to do wc's, and the last thing I need is a fish flopping its fins on the floor.