Hiding Fish

**Evilash** · 07-12-2012, 02:20 AM

Hi all,

My stock is currently 4 cories, 4 neon tetras, 2 rams, & 8 Red Eye Tetras. For some reason all my red eye's always hide. I see them come out but they go right back into hiding if someone walks past or up to the tank. I rearranged the decor (rocks) a bit. I also added a long piece of PVC pipe in the back of the tank. I have a bubbler in the front middle of the tank also. I turned down the bubbler today thinking that the fish don't want to swim near the bubbles but it just doesn't seem to be working. The Rams and neons are comfortable but I would like the Reds to come out. I'm thinking of cutting the PVC in half. Right now it's 8 inches long and they probably aren't going in because of that. I had 6 Red's in there and just added 2 thinking they would come out but the extra 2 I just added are hiding.

Could it be that I did changes so often during the fish in cycle that they just never got comfortable? The tank has been cycled now for almost 3 weeks.

**openbook** · 07-12-2012, 02:46 AM

Maybe they are skittish and need to get used to their environment. On the other hand fish that suddenly are always hiding for no aparrent reason I would consider a major stress/health warning sign.

**Evilash** · 07-12-2012, 02:51 AM

Originally Posted by openbook

Maybe they are skittish and need to get used to their environment. On the other hand fish that suddenly are always hiding for no aparrent reason I would consider a major stress/health warning sign.

Any recommendation? I've created so many hiding spots in the tank I don't see how they can be stressed? Water parameters are 0 Amm 0 NitrItes 20 NitrAtes. They do come out at feeding time with a passion.

**openbook** · 07-12-2012, 03:07 AM

Tetras shouldn't need hiding places but they do appreciate plant cover with open swimming areas in the middle. Mine all swarm around me when I go near the tank in hopes of feeding.

**Evilash** · 07-13-2012, 12:41 AM

I did my weekly water change today and the Red Eyes came out a bit more. They still jet toward the back as soon as they see the slightest bit of movement. I turned the Aqua Clear filter down a bit thinking the current was a bit too much and turned the volcano bubbler down as low as it can go. I don't understand what is wrong. None of the other fish have any problems coming out but the Red Eye's are what take up most of my stock so the tank always looks empty (except during feeding). I've included a video. This is the way these guys are most of the time. 4 usually hide at the back top and the other 4 are under the caves made with the rocks. Is it my oxygen maybe?? The tank has been up for more than 2 months now and is fully cycled. The majority of the Red Eyes have been in there for a month and the rest have been added slowly over the last few weeks.

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-13-2012, 12:56 AM

Some fish are just more nervous and jerky than others. My blood parrots take off like I'm about to throw them in the frying pan when they see me. I had firemouths that did the same. I got 10 black skirts yesterday and today they are hiding. Silver Dollars nearly crash thru the glass when you walk in the room.

Fish are just plain weird.

**openbook** · 07-13-2012, 02:11 AM

Good video! I would try keeping the lights off for a day or 2 and see if they are more inclined to come out. They seem stressed.

**mizzoutank** · 07-13-2012, 05:15 AM

plus 1 to Hobbs.

Fish are weird.
Mine started out being very skiddish to when I would get close to watch them/feed.
Now they see me relate it to food-so they all gather and look at me when I approach the tank. Just takes time I guess-or Im just that attractive

**Azurescriber** · 07-13-2012, 05:46 PM

I dunno, but my DG recently got moved to a bigger tank and he hid for the better part of a week and a half now...he's just now starting to stay when I walk up. I've got the shyest gourami in all the land, lol.

So maybe they just need to do more acclimating. They look very nervous. Could be the bubbles...not all fish like them.