tips for less skittish ps

[leg89]

from all what i've been reading the last year and personnal experiement, i decided to write on a topic that seams to dissapoint most pygo keepers when they realize they bought skittish fish. this is about personnal readings and experiences, so feel free to add anything about your pesonnal findings.

as you may already know, some of the most common statements about how to have less skittish piranhas says that you should have a lot of hiding places and dimmed light. many people also say that it can take up to 6 months before ps really adopt the tank and start to be territorial. some others say that a bare tank will get your ps used to some traffic in front of the tank without always hiding.

it's the 2nd shoal of reds i have and this one is way less skittish than the first one. for your information, i loss my first shoal because i moved and didnt have enough time to cycle my aquarium. result = amonia level kill them all. beside that deadful date, they were in very good shape, but a bit skittish

i went with a natural planted aquarium this time and i added floating plants. since then, instead of staying at the bottom of the tank, my ps often chill around on top of the aquarium, but mostly under the plant covered part. i can even hand feed them when i put fillet near enough the covered part of the surface. they completely changed since they dont have direct light on them. let's also mention that i have a big amazon plant where the surface is exposed to light, so they can hide there too.

from observation, i feel like when something special hapens (such as opening your top)their first natural reaction is to protect themselves from predators. as long as they are defensive, they wont attack, the primary goal being not to be eated. when this fear is gone, then they think about food. if you can reduce this fear factor, you will help them always think in terms of food!haha

some may say that it is on the personnal attitude of the fish to be skittish or not, but adding plants, and especially floating ones, really changed their attitude.

comments? something to share?

 

[leviathon13]

what types of floating plants do you use? and what lights are you using on that tank?mine (when there were more of them(in a 55) were curious when i approached the tank. came close and investigated me.seems like the larger the # the calmer they are as a group.when i had them way over crowded they weren't scared of me at all.when i thinned them out, and upgraded the tank, they got a little more shy. just a personal experience.

 

[blacklabel]

i agree with everything you said! im finally getting some big floating plants so im glad to hear that yours seem more relaxed. i think piranhas are smarter and much more intuitive than alot of people give them credit for. the more you sit and observe them the more interesting and entertaining they become! IMO if you have skittish fish or a solo serra you are trying to get to come out of his shell, you must have hiding spots. what i would do, is give him a place where he can be completely hidden, with no direct light. but put it in a place where he wont want to stay all day and never leave. i think a good way to do this would be in a high current area, where he is forced to swim constantly. this way he can have his security cave, but will be encouraged to venture out into places where he might be seen.

another aspect i think is important is to have the tank lights on a timer. when the lights come on they feel extremely vulnerable until the become accustomed to it. it also scares them if you are reaching above the tank messing with stuff, and the combination of both at the same time is just too much for them. if you arent in the room when they come on it will make it much easier on the fish. plus, its good for them to get used to the routine of the lights, as opposed to them coming on at random times every day.

but, the number 1 thing i have learned about skitishness, is the less you are in the tank the better. set up your tank exactly how you want it before you even put the fish in, and leave it that way forever. try and make water changes as stressless as possible. i think everytime youre in the tank it takes away a tiny bit of their bravery forever, and things like completely redecorating or changing tanks can be completely detrimental to having your piranhas as comfortable as possible, as quickly as possible. pretty much starting over, only this time it will take even longer for them to settle in. and next time even longer. its almost a trust or bond you have with them. if they never see you in the tank chasing around fish with a net, and flipping their world upside down, they feel safe. almost like their little impenitrable bubble.

another thing id like to point out, is you need to spend as much time directly in front of the tank as possible. not only will your piranhas learn your body language, and that you arent a threat, but it also makes stressfull situations fewer and farther in between in comparison. so instead of every time you go close to the tank its to change water, or something else that scares them, usually when you come to the tank its a peaceful expierience for them, and only rarely is it something that they should be worried about. good post.

 

[leg89]

black label, you really pointed out points i didnt mention because i didnt want to write too much of a novel. but yes, totally, being often in front of your tank will help alot make them used to you. mine is near my computer so i'm often there. they sometimes stand in line on the side of the aquarium watching me doing my stuff, haha.

also, there is the time factor. i red that it can take up to 6 months for them to get comfortable (can be less) according to my personnal experience, i'd say it makes sense...