Timid juvenile peacock bass?

[humpyhead]

Sorry, think I posted this in thbe wrong section before!

Anyhow, I have a recently acquired juvenile Peacock Bass (20cm) in a 6' tank by himself. He has ok yellowish colour, and a nice hump on his head. However, he is a bit timid - nothing like the 30cm one I saw at the LFS which smashed at the tank and got excited whenever I went near it.

He ate a few feeders (6), but only when no-one was watching.

I want him to be more like the aggressive non-hiding ones online. He currently hovers and retreats a bit when I approach the tank. Am in the process of starving him so that he'll go for pellets (previous owner had him on pellets).

Water conditions are ok, few plastic plants etc for him to ambush from.

Any help appreciated!!

 

[HPIZZLE]

juvys are usually timid. just give him some time to adjust and he'll come around.

make sure you quarintine those feeders....

 

[bigfishrcool1193]

 

[humpyhead]

Here are a couple of pics - is the hump likely to stay? That's why I picked him instead of his girly looking mates

 

[Venom SS]

Wow only 7" long and allready got a hump like that..hes a stud lol. The best way to make them less timid is put more fish in the tank (that wont fit in his mouth). More cichla in the tank will make his personality and confidence come out almost immediatly. Starving is also a little harsh being as stressed as he probably is. I wouldnt deny him food for more than 2 days, 3 tops. Good luck!

 

[bigfishrcool1193]

how wide is your tank and can you eventually upgrade if depending on how wide your tank is?

those questions will determine if you can get more cichla buddies for your cichla...

also, for some constantly moving fish that may help him overcome his fear, i might recommend a few silverdollars (big enough not to fit in your cichla's mouth of course)

 

[humpyhead]

Thanks - by starving I meant leaving him for a day of two because he just ate 5 fish and a 2 inch goldie. Only prob is he does all the damage while I'm in bed, so I just wake up to see a fat lazy PB sitting there!

Does anyone know if the humps stay or are they more like the red devils and come and go a bit?

Thanks!

 

[silverdragon]

Wow only 7" long and allready got a hump like that..hes a stud lol. The best way to make them less timid is put more fish in the tank (that wont fit in his mouth). More cichla in the tank will make his personality and confidence come out almost immediatly. Starving is also a little harsh being as stressed as he probably is. I wouldnt deny him food for more than 2 days, 3 tops. Good luck!

definately a stunner! and add some more cichla buddies for him if you get a nice size female, i reckon you could get that guy to spawn in no time..

 

[troutking]

Thanks - by starving I meant leaving him for a day of two because he just ate 5 fish and a 2 inch goldie. Only prob is he does all the damage while I'm in bed, so I just wake up to see a fat lazy PB sitting there!

Does anyone know if the humps stay or are they more like the red devils and come and go a bit?

Thanks!

the hump stays there. thats a amazing fish. it already has a hump at 7 inches which is amazing

 

[Venom SS]

the hump stays there. thats a amazing fish. it already has a hump at 7 inches which is amazing

Yeah that guy is an early bloomer for sure. Hes like that kid in 6th grade that allready had a mustache lol.