Assume you did all this gravel change while the fish was still in the tank. Maybe you scared the crap out of her. She might just need some time getting use to her new setup. Give her some time she should start to swim around again if she did before.
Wet Pet Turned Shy - What To Do?
- Thread starter mr.bigglesworth
- Start date
I have the answer! it is the cumulative stress from a few different things.
Your fish was accustomed to the low ph/soft water. However, the hard water needs of africans are about minerals which are nutrients absorbed via water.
While your fish was in a "status quo" existence, conditions were tolerable.
When it's whole environment was suddenly altered, including predictable & habitual safe "places" of refuge, that created a biological stressor- because mineral nutrients were already depleted and NOT present.
Your fish is mineral deprived and can't adjust to stressors.
I have 2 mbuna. didn't know their social needs beforehand.
Since one is extreme aggressive male kenyi & the other a blue hybrid, they are partitioned from each other for Bluey's safety.
In a small tank, I've noticed they both very much rely on their predictable hidey places. In fact, Bluey is SO attached to his log that even in a 75 with other decor, he sought out his same log. It's like a dog with it's fave bed. The kenyi, Fin Laden does that with familiar caves which I moved with him. but Bluey (not aggressive) is much more dependent on HIS familiar log.
My tap water is about 7.8 and hard. After testing that, I removed the CaribSea Aragonite substrate from their tank.
I recommend you address that environmental issue. I would have said 'return the decor to prior style until the mineral levels are stable', but suspect that since the fish is depleted, it may not help now.
If the tankmate will be stressed by the water change, move him.
The lab may do better with even one appropriate tankmate, but it would need to be chosen carefully for non aggression.
I'd pursue her mineral needs first.
IMO, this is even more likely because your female has laid eggs often.
Good luck, and hope this helps.
Your fish was accustomed to the low ph/soft water. However, the hard water needs of africans are about minerals which are nutrients absorbed via water.
While your fish was in a "status quo" existence, conditions were tolerable.
When it's whole environment was suddenly altered, including predictable & habitual safe "places" of refuge, that created a biological stressor- because mineral nutrients were already depleted and NOT present.
Your fish is mineral deprived and can't adjust to stressors.
I have 2 mbuna. didn't know their social needs beforehand.
Since one is extreme aggressive male kenyi & the other a blue hybrid, they are partitioned from each other for Bluey's safety.
In a small tank, I've noticed they both very much rely on their predictable hidey places. In fact, Bluey is SO attached to his log that even in a 75 with other decor, he sought out his same log. It's like a dog with it's fave bed. The kenyi, Fin Laden does that with familiar caves which I moved with him. but Bluey (not aggressive) is much more dependent on HIS familiar log.
My tap water is about 7.8 and hard. After testing that, I removed the CaribSea Aragonite substrate from their tank.
I recommend you address that environmental issue. I would have said 'return the decor to prior style until the mineral levels are stable', but suspect that since the fish is depleted, it may not help now.
If the tankmate will be stressed by the water change, move him.
The lab may do better with even one appropriate tankmate, but it would need to be chosen carefully for non aggression.
I'd pursue her mineral needs first.
IMO, this is even more likely because your female has laid eggs often.
Good luck, and hope this helps.
She came out! She is begging for food! Still very skitish but she just came out and went right up to the glass and watched my computer screen. With all the ruckus the catfish started getting antsy too. He nudged the mbuna with his mouth and tried to eat her but he's not even half her size.
well, no kidding. you haven't fed her in a month.
fix her water mineralization.
