I have a 50 gallon tank with 8 african cichlids. They are all constantly hiding, alot of times fighting over the same corner. They used to swim around but now they are just scared. When you walk by the aquarium, if they are out, they swim to hide as fast as they can. I am not having any water issues that I know of, they appear perfectly healthy and eat well. Any ideas?There is one who appears dominant over all the others, but they are hiding in his corner, so I'm not sure what's up.
2007-03-26 08:52:25 · 5 answers · asked by sallysue 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
I haven't added any new fish in quite some time, but have rearranged a bit and added a few more hiding spots. My water has been off a bit recently, and I thought maybe they were just feeling a little out of sorts with that, but I have gotten that back to normal and still they hide. It's funny how they all want the same hiding spot - like a bunch of kids!
2007-03-26 09:28:04 · update #1
This is normal behavior for this type of fish. We have cichlids too. They hide in the rock work all the time, if you don't have enough rock for them to hide under you might want to get some more. There will be a dominant male that rules the tank. He is probably getting close to reproducing age and just staking out his territory. No worries.
2007-03-26 09:07:38 · answer #1 · answered by Stacie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cichlids are known to be very active fish and they are very moody too. also the natural surrounding from where they come from provides them lot of places to hide. now in an aquarium they can hide for four reasons
1. they are being bullied by other tank mate
2. the human intervention in the tank is too much(like rearranging the tank too often)
3. the male is building a nest(this activity is accompanied by removing of all gravels from that site)
4. they just feel like hiding due to their mood
if it is not the case 1 and 2 and 3 then most probably it is case 4.
but mostly case 1 and 2 and 3 are the reasons for such behaviour.
2007-03-26 09:45:49 · answer #2 · answered by muddy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say remove that particular hiding spot and add still more. As a general rule ( if such can be applied to African cichlids at all) the more hiding places they have, the happier they will be and the safer they will feel. That means they will stay out of hiding more. Sounds odd, but I have known several african keepers that have good success with this approach.
MM
2007-03-26 10:00:37 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the world of Africans, the endless search for tank neutrality.
Don't worry. These cichlids can be extremely wussy until they get to know you, or if something changes in the tank. Have you added any new fish or re-arranged the tank?
Feed them small amounts often, and before long you'll find the fish do nothing but stay at the top of the water begging for food when you approach.
2007-03-26 09:07:41 · answer #4 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are scared....
2007-03-26 09:30:37 · answer #5 · answered by David S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋