Skittish vieja

[..puSkar..]

I have a syns x zonatus growing out , had it for 5-6 months, got it at about 2" currently 4-5" it was very outgoing but I changed the tank position and now it has become skittish , think it's due to high light coming directly in through the door . I'm planning on adding some extra decor and maybe some dithers . It's currently in a 55 ( home until it's 8") . Would black skirt tetras or Buenos Aires tetras be a good choice for dithers ? Also I have a severum in a 55 growing out so was thinking of getting a dozen tetras and having 6 of them in each tank . Thoughts??

 

[Deadeye]

The more tetras the merrier as far as dithers go. Large tetras like Buenos usually work. Also extra cover helps, the high light sounds like the main problem. It feels exposed. Dithers will help as well as extra plants.

 

[Theos.dad]

The more tetras the merrier as far as dithers go. Large tetras like Buenos usually work. Also extra cover helps, the high light sounds like the main problem. It feels exposed. Dithers will help as well as extra plants.

I agree with deadeye. Dithers are always a plus and for my 4 inch syn lighting is key. I started its tank off with a 4 ft shop light rated at 7000k because it was what I had at the time. After a few days the fish got really shy even though it's with giant danio, different adult barbs and 6 yellow acara yellow acara juveniles. Tried rearranging the tank initially to get it motivated to move around and it didn't help. I actually bumped the light (hanging from a small chain attached to an eye hook in the ceiling) and didn't realize it and it shifted it to so that it shined at the wall more than the tank and went about by buisness. Started noticing that afternoon that the little guy was out and about. Then realized it was super dark in the tank. I've actually since covered the light bulb cover with parchment paper and it really dulls it down. It's been good ever since. In the past I've actually most always had cichlid tanks set very dim and some with dark corners. I like the cheap 15 dollars low lumen "spot light type" from Lowes. A couple of them on a 4 or 6 foot tanks leaves the middle of the tank plenty bright and fades to darkness at the edges.

 

[duanes]

The most common instinctual threat to most cichlids are birds (that instinctual fear doesn't disappear because they are in a tank).
An open well lit tank means no cover, no where to hide and escape from that threat, this is why cichlids seek out overhanging vegetation, sunken logs and caves.

Above a cormorant fishing in a Cenote in Mexico.
The most common cichlid in this Cenote were Rocio (JDs)
Below , fish eating birds hunting along the shore of a Rio Magdalena tributary in Colombia.

Dither fish can help, as cichlids watch them as a barometer of aerial threat.

From the same Cenote as the 1st pic, a JD out and about, because the mollies (dither fish) are dithering, and unconcerned.
Below a video of another Cenote.
Eden2
Although any of the dither fish suggested in posts above will work,
if you want to use geographically correct dither species for Vieja, sail fin mollies, and other live bearers like Gambusia, or Astyanax tetras would be what you would find in that part of Central America.
Below a video I took in Cenote Aktun Ha where Astyanax tetras were common
Aktun Ha

 

[Gourami Swami]

Can you post a picture of the tank? Dithers may help but if the tank setup is the problem they won't make a big difference.

 

[..puSkar..]

He's at the left hand lowermost point near the green plant . The argentea is half its size and is more outgoing . The syns x zonatus still has the glass banging nature as before it's just that he's not confident in taking floating pellets and darts here and there while feeding. I'll post a video of his glass banging nature if possible.

 

[..puSkar..]

vieja synspillyum x zonatus.

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youtube.com

Here you go

 

[duanes]

In your first shot, that looks like an argentea.

Is there another fish in the tank?
If so what it might be is the argentea is terrorizing the hybrid.
Argentea are notoriously aggressive, and in such a small tank, it would not tolerate another cichlid.
I doubt that in that size tank, dithers would be effective.

 

[..puSkar..]

In your first shot, that looks like an argentea.
View attachment 1474314
Is there another fish in the tank?
If so what it might be is the argentea is terrorizing the hybrid.
Argentea are notoriously aggressive, and in such a small tank, it would not tolerate another cichlid.
I doubt that in that size tank, dithers would be effective.

The first tank is a 40b that houses a lone argentea 2-3" In size.
The 2nd and 3rd tank is the one housing the hybrid which is currently about 4-5" In size. If you see the 2nd pic closely uts there below the heater on the left side

 

[tiger15]

Vieja species are notoriously skittish. I kept a few Vieja species and I had to approach them slowly or else they would be startled and jumped up and even injured their head. They were outgoing only when they were small and kept in a group, but became more skittish with age and size. I guess if you can keep a colony in a huge tank, they can be calm.

If you really want bold cichlid, get rid of your Vieja and keep Flowerhorn, Red Devil or Red Terror .