Extremely Shy Pearl Gourami

Well, even though I wasn't going to add anything to my tank other than a few more rummynose tetra, I came home 3 days ago with a Pearl Gourami. For the first day he hid in the plants or under my "stump" constantly. I saw him once or twice on the second day. Finally, today, he is coming out and cruising around the tank a bit. I am not seeing any agression from the other "big" fish in the tank (3 dwarf gourami and a medium Angel. Yeah, I know, but it has seemed to work well for me aggression wise.). Everyone seems to be getting along fine. If the dwarfs get too close to the pearl, he will sometimes run them off, but it's very minor and no one is picking on him at all.

So, too my problem. He is so shy that as soon as I approach the tank he hides either in the very back behind one of the thick leaved plants or under the stump again. He stays there for quite some time before venturing out again. I have not seen him eat at all. So, I'm starting to get worried about nutrition. I don't want the poor guy to starve because he's too scared of me to come out and feed. I purposely picked one of the least aggressive acting and smallest fish in the tank because I didn't want issues with the dwarves (dwarfs? - LOL) or the angel (my current angel is very laid back). Now I'm thinking maybe I went a little too far in picking a meek fish. Will he eventually come out of his shell?

Thanks clb! That's a good idea! I had my little eyedropper out from feeding the dwarf frogs (different tank) and actually tried that a minute ago, but my tank is 24" deep and he's in the very back so I couldn't really get the food right to him. I hadn't thought of a baster. Like a turkey baster? I think that might work - I'll see if I can find one and give it a shot!

It's also encouraging that your shy Licorice is coming around. My pearl is sooo gorgeous, I hate to think I'll never get to look at him from closer than 12 feet away - LOL!

Whoo hoo! As a quick update, I think this is a good sign. I just fed maybe 10 minutes ago and am back sitting on the couch. Mr. Pearl is already back out from hiding, so he's definitely improving. Maybe he'll even find a blood worm or so still floating about.

Good to hear they usually seem to get over the extreme shyness! He's still hiding on me, but I am seeing a bit more of him.

Well, we are ten days in and this is still the shyest fish I have ever seen! He still won't come out at feeding time and I only see him occasionally. I get so excited when I do, as he is so gorgeous. I never though I really wanted a pearl, but most pictures just don't do them justice at all.

I've tried target feeding him and hopefully he's getting something. He gets so fearful when I stick something back there to feed that he seems to freeze. Of course, he's so well hidden that it's hard to tell if he's eating anything or not.

Fingers crossed that he's getting enough food and will eventually come out of his shell!

Yay, yay, yay!!! He ate! As I was walking back into the living room to return some fish food, I noticed that Mr. Pearl was at the top and out in the open. I walked slowly up and although he went to the back and peaked out from behind some really tall plants, he didn't totally disappear or dive for the bottom. So, I carefully opened the lid, dropped some flake in and scooted it back towards him. He was gulping it down. He still didn't want to come all the way out with me standing there, but he kept getting a little closer to grab flakes before going to the back again. Having finally gotten a good look at him close up, he looks really good! He's still out now, swimming around out front now that the terrifying human is sitting down.:woot: