Still soooo skittish

[rainer]

been having 2 cichla in a 55 gallon, bout 4 and a hlaf inches each for around 2 plus months. the thing is, they were VERY skittish at first but they have been getting better. but now they seem to be losing their balls, agian. its kinda tough feeding them as i have to wait in front of the tank for minutes before they emerge to eat that shrimp or feeder. what can i do? im quite sure there is enough cover and hiding places. perhaps add more fish? Thanks!

 

[rasdbo]

just put the feeders in and let them react on their own. how is your lighting because my tem in my 55g is skittish and hides but when i turn one on and one light off the tem stays on the dark side and swims freely. so check your lights

 

[rainer]

i dont feed them feeders anymore. just market shrimp dangled at the surface, yea so i cant leave the shrimp meat in the tank! have to handfeed them. how long will it take, or what size then, would they just lose their skittish-ness? do think its the lighting eh, on or off, theyre skittish.

 

[rasdbo]

if real small less then 4"'s then try guppies as food and see what happens, either way it goes once they hit 7"'s+ u wont be able to miss them and then they will start following u around the tank for food.

p.s. try bloodworms and brine shrimp not market yet.

 

[rainer]

okay thanks! maybe a few tank mates will help? can anyone suggest some non-skittish, pb-friendly, and actively swimming fish that dont get too big? tank looks dead and might prob help to coax the pbs out of their shyness.

 

[Danh]

I have used silver dollars.

 

[dabears54]

I have 6 bass in a 55g now, about 3.5 inches each. Sand bottom, a few rocks and a decent amount of plants. they are housed with a few small silver dollars to spread agression around. I dont know if the silver dollars have anything to do with it, but food doesnt hit the water before it is in one of their mouths...

 

[mjuniorc]

I have 6 bass in a 55g now, about 3.5 inches each....

i hope you got something planned for your pbass... because they grow faster than you think

 

[voss345]

put in a group of peaceful fish in with them maybe some severums or something, that way they will be more active i have my 4 cichla with the crens with some big sev's

 

[dabears54]

had no idea...how big do they get? 6 inches? 7 inches?