Super Shy Red Isletas

[Guapote]

I bought a 4-5" Red Isletas from a MFK Memeber; very cool fish. Great fins, nice color.

Here is my dilemma. This is the shyest fish I have ever owned. It has been hiding for the last day or so. No swimming, just hiding.It is doing its best to hide under rocks half its size.

I did my best to acclimate this guy. I dripped into its bucket for a few hours, kept the tank temp at about 82 and still no movement from this dude.

Any tricks, tips, or advice you can offer me to get some life into this guy?

Any and all advice is appreciated.

FYI, I think his first few months were spent in a pond but he has been in a tank for the last few months.

Thanks again.

 

[LobstersGoPeenchPeench]

the thing i do with shy fish is i sit infront my tank while i watch tv and eventually they warm up to u. my oscar was like that now all my fish are like dogs they come up to the front of the tank and watch me. than they go about their business just like a fish does. it has worked for all my fish. fyi i have a tank then a chair then my bed all within 5 feet of each other so im close up to them and they see you. so basically just spend time with your fish. does he just hide when u are close to the tank and is he in there alone? or is there another fish bullying him?

 

[Guapote]

Thanks for your reply.

I have a fishroom and he is in one of many tanks. The only movement I have seen is from rock to rock. Every once in awhile, I see a fin flutter but he is crazy.

 

[House 64]

I say remove the rocks and get some other fish to keep him company or draw him out of hiding....... silver dollars or red hooks? Anyone agree?

(and then when you're done with the red hooks, give them to me! )

 

[cichlidinsomniac]

mine was very interactive right out of the bag, i would say give him time try to spend as much time as you can around him, oh and get some pics they are stunning fish i have never seen an ugly one

 

[FSM]

If its only been a day, he should improve.

 

[Blue Demp]

the thing i do with shy fish is i sit infront my tank while i watch tv and eventually they warm up to u. my oscar was like that now all my fish are like dogs they come up to the front of the tank and watch me. than they go about their business just like a fish does. it has worked for all my fish. fyi i have a tank then a chair then my bed all within 5 feet of each other so im close up to them and they see you. so basically just spend time with your fish. does he just hide when u are close to the tank and is he in there alone? or is there another fish bullying him?

This is very good advice... this worked for me with a wild caught Midas. Now he's a glassbanger.

 

[WildCAught]

House is right on the money. SD or Tinfoil barbs will do the trick. I took them for granted and sold mine last week now my Previously outgoing fish hide all the time... except when they see the bag of food. Now I'm on the hunt for 6" SD's and a 10" Tinfoil...

 

[Spakase]

Really! I wanted some, and I was kinda struggling between Chancho and this and that. Eventually just postphoned my decision to get them.
Do post pics if you can get them to be less shy!

 

[Guapote]

I'm gonna get some pics tonight.

I put 5-7 Convicts in with him and his hump grew substantially.

He is digging which is a good sign but his color is a bit washed out right now.

House_64 hooked me up with a little Chancho. I can't wait for that guy to grow out. I also have some little barreds as well as some Barred X Red Devil.