I have a 30g tank with a pair of firemouths, 4 tiger barbs and 7 black skirts. This tank and occupants are a little over a year old. The tank is well filtered (Fluval 205), lit with 2 T5NO bulbs, and lightly planted (2 java ferns and an anubias). There are 3 large rocks in the center, 2 propped on the 3rd to make 2 caves. I also have about 1/6 of the water surface covered in floating plants. It is kept at 78*F. They all get along fine. The larger (male) FM chases the female around every once in a while, but generally they hang out in their separate caves. Neither pay any attention to the tigers or black skirts.
The problem is that the entire tank is and always has been terrified of me. Any time I walk into the room, the FMs fly to their caves and the skirts/tigers freeze up at the bottom of the tank. They remain hidden/frozen unless I leave or turn all the room lights off and they can't see me. Once I'm "gone," the tigers/skirts school around together, and the FMs sniff around, exploring the tank. I spend a lot of time in the room, so there's no reason they shouldn't be accustomed to me after a whole year. I can't even feed them while I'm in the room. I've tried not feeding for a day or two, but even then they refuse to surface for food. I've tried many types of food, including aqueon, hikari gold, NLS, even raw tilapia. Nothing can convince them.
Like I said, the tank is over a year old, has what I would consider adequate cover/hiding places, clean water, never any sickness except for a very recent round of ich that was heat treated with no losses. This extreme nervousness around people is not new, it's been so from the beginning. I cannot figure out what is stressing them so badly, or wont let them move freely about the tank when someone is in the room, even when trying to feed. Any thoughts/experiences with the situation? Sorry about the long read.
The problem is that the entire tank is and always has been terrified of me. Any time I walk into the room, the FMs fly to their caves and the skirts/tigers freeze up at the bottom of the tank. They remain hidden/frozen unless I leave or turn all the room lights off and they can't see me. Once I'm "gone," the tigers/skirts school around together, and the FMs sniff around, exploring the tank. I spend a lot of time in the room, so there's no reason they shouldn't be accustomed to me after a whole year. I can't even feed them while I'm in the room. I've tried not feeding for a day or two, but even then they refuse to surface for food. I've tried many types of food, including aqueon, hikari gold, NLS, even raw tilapia. Nothing can convince them.
Like I said, the tank is over a year old, has what I would consider adequate cover/hiding places, clean water, never any sickness except for a very recent round of ich that was heat treated with no losses. This extreme nervousness around people is not new, it's been so from the beginning. I cannot figure out what is stressing them so badly, or wont let them move freely about the tank when someone is in the room, even when trying to feed. Any thoughts/experiences with the situation? Sorry about the long read.
