When will they ever stop hidding?

[Ogertron3000]

That’s a very unique scape, pretty cool looking. The issue might be that once the fish come out from under the logs it’s very bright and bare.
Maybe reduce the lighting, it looks like 2 lights on your setup? I f so only run one. I’d probably try to make an open area of the tank too. Possibly saw a foot off of the logs and put some tough plants Ike java fern in that open area and get some floating plants too. Then I’d get some dither fish, it’s not my thing but some swordtails or mollies that will breed and tempt them out of hiding for a snack might work.
Then again like others have said they might just be a batch of dodgy in bred fish and it might be better to start again from square one.

 

[Randys]

Ya, I think I’ve waited long enough. I’m making it too cozy for them for sure. It”s almost comical how any parachromis group could be such wimps when they’re small. Did I read something in the past that this is common for Jags until they’re six inches or so? I’ve been letting it slide until now with that thought in mind.

What would be a good dither fish that can be found at Petsmart? Although if I go that route it would be another six weeks while I quarantine them. (Oops, I see swords and mollies were recommended above. Missed that.)

I’ve got a half a mind to put them in my 300 gallon Central community tank to teach them what a fish should act like! LOL Just kidding, I’m sure that would go bad in time.

I was hoping for a pair from this group but unfortunately I think I may have four males although one of them is looking bigger and thicker than the rest and may be a nice fish eventually.

 

[Randys]

That’s a very unique scape, pretty cool looking. The issue might be that once the fish come out from under the logs it’s very bright and bare.
Maybe reduce the lighting, it looks like 2 lights on your setup? I f so only run one. I’d probably try to make an open area of the tank too. Possibly saw a foot off of the logs and put some tough plants Ike java fern in that open area and get some floating plants too. Then I’d get some dither fish, it’s not my thing but some swordtails or mollies that will breed and tempt them out of hiding for a snack might work.
Then again like others have said they might just be a batch of dodgy in bred fish and it might be better to start again from square one.

Thanks.
I figured the scape would change eventually so I started out with this massive log pile to see how I liked it. I love natural scapes but I wanted something different than my 300. I get all of my wood from my yard.
Also, I wouldn’t think it would be an issue with the fish since I bought them from Dan at COA. He’s always sent me top notch stuff in the past.
Here’s a pic of my 300.

 

[phreeflow]

You have some very unique scapes for sure. Try dithers before you give up. If it doesn’t have to be a biotope tank, try some filament barbs, Congo tetras, silver dollars, even cheap giant danios

 

[Randys]

Well I decided to change up the scape. I was getting real tired of the stuff constantly growing on the wood. I used a bunch of rocks left over from my African days.
Then I added a half dozen giant danios and three tiny convicts. The Jags came out the first day to investigate the new inhabitants but then went right back into hiding. I can barely catch them out in the open. They don't even come out to eat and it's been well over a month.

 

[Randys]

I'm down to three Jags now. This is the largest at about 6 inches and I've had them for 18 months. I'm not sure why they're growing so slow.
Female?

 

[duanes]

Parachromis are lurk and strike predators, so coming out for food and heading back to cover is normal, but at under 10" they are vulnerable to predation themselves by fish eating birds (an instinct that doesn't go away just because they are in a tank).
In nature they watch schooling fish to judge the threat.



Any of the birds above would use a 6" Parachromis as a snack, and the cichlids know it instinctively.
They do not become bold until much larger.

 

[ken31cay]

During the time I kept Discus the strategy to keep them hiding was to remove cover that could conceal them. It worked. My tanks had plenty of decor (scattered plants, wood) but nothing that they could hide behind.

 

[LazyLathe]

Randys

I have kept Jags before and they were never that secretive!
My first thought was there is no cover for them except the log pile or now the new rock pile. Both have lots of comfy hideouts that any fish would love!

If this was my tank, I would plant some Jungle Val, maybe a big amazon sword and some open caves. Not a whole bottom full of caves though.
They definitely need some place to feel safe and secure but they should be out much more.
Maybe dim the lights a bit as well?

Here is a shot of my tank during the set up stage, look at the cave structure on the left.
My Leopard Bush Fish has taken them over as well as my Polypterus but I still get to see them very clearly and they feel safe!



I now have a lot of plants behind the rocks as well as another cave level on top of what is seen.

 

[Randys]

Thanks gang.
Any guesses on the sex of the pics I posted?