I also have a pleco and a Raphael catfish in there. They seem really cramped but they dont come out much. When they do come out and i walk into the room they usually swim under the logs. How can i make them come out more?
2007-12-23 11:29:26 · 6 answers · asked by Brandon M 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Ive had these fish for 5 months
2007-12-23 14:08:08 · update #1
They are likely hiding because they are so stressed by their small tank. Jack Dempseys are very aggressive, and in anything less than a 125 gallon tank, one of the JDs will always terrorize the other (unless you have a pair, in which case they will shred your Pleco and Raphael Cat). Getting rid of one is best for the long run plan, and be sure to have at least a 55 gallon tank ready for a single adult.
Soop Nazi
2007-12-23 11:48:46 · answer #1 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cramped where,in the tank,or where they hide?With that many large fish you need at least 150 gallons.If you have a big enough tank,keep the lights in the room off,and sit back from the tank and sit still.Do this for a week or 2,and then they should become used to you being in the room and the tank they are in.All cichlids like to hide in caves,adjusting to their new home and owner can take some time though.
2007-12-23 12:13:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor water conditions can be a cause of this sort of behavior in fish that are normally "up front". How long has the tank been running? Have you cycled it? Have you checked for Ammonia or Nitrites?
If the water conditions are good they will eventually come out.
2007-12-23 11:57:02 · answer #3 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be a number of reasons....
Not to worry, if they are new fish it may take them a while to get adjusted to your tank. Dempseys are cichlids- so they can be aggressive and territorial. so they may just be getting comfy.
how many do you have? they may have laid eggs as well.
how is your water? anything contributing to stress (ammonia/nitrite/nitrite)?
do a water check and just be patient. also take a look to see if you see any eggs; they lay them on the substrate and may just be protecting them.
the last is tank size.... i recommend that you have a 55 gal or more for one or two dempseys.
2007-12-23 11:48:16 · answer #4 · answered by sonny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like most fish they are probably just scared and will get over it soon. Don't take away their logs(not that you were going to). This is their territory and they will be very unhappy if you do, they may just go on a mass killing spree. Sorry, but you will just have to wait it out.
2007-12-23 11:46:49 · answer #5 · answered by Guppy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i could just be that its there territory. Do they come out to eat usually?
2007-12-23 11:33:17 · answer #6 · answered by Fred J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋