Fish Still Scared

[rrkss]

I've re-planted my tank heavily again covering about 75% of the substrate. My fish are doing fine not showing any signs of ich for two days after salt removal so I am sure that the ich was beaten. Anyways the fish still tend to group at the bottom only swimming normally when I am not in the room. As soon as I enter the room, they go crazy and bunch in one corner behind an ornament. They then remain there until I leave the room. Even when I feed, they are hesistant to come up until one fish eats something and then we have the usual feeding frenzy. This has never happened to me before in an established tank. Will these fish eventually re-learn that I am not a threat. I am wondering if stripping their tank bare, constant activity with the tank (ie: testing the water, water changes, salt treatment) as put them in this mood. Now that the tank is back to normal, shouldn't they return to normal?

[IceH2O]

I'm sure after a while they will return to their usual friendly self.I don't think fish can be traumatized.

If they could a fish would only be hooked once when fishing.I know for a fact I caught the same fish twice.He still had the lure in his lip from when he broke my fishing line the 1st time a week before.

[loucas6290]

possibly they are just frightfully askewed, it usually happens when the tank is moved around or they are relocated, i am experienceing this right now actually. how long has this been going on, if it is just 2-3 days right now then just try to instill as little stress as possible on them until they become comfortable.

[rrkss]

Its about 3 days now since they started acting this way. I assume it is because they feel better now that their ich infection is in the past and all the activity has just stirred them up. Hopefully this behavior clears up fast since my show tank is no fun to look at with all the fish hiding.

[jasonskillz]

well, for some reason my fishes did the same thing too like a few days ago. then i changed my water and they were not afraid anymore :confused:
but this situation is quite different for u
i think tat while approaching the tank u should not make any sudden movements. then like sit in front of ur tank for a while so they can get use to u. after they have found out tat u r not hostile towards them they will come to u. :D

[rrkss]

Well to give you guys an update, the fish are starting to act more normal again. They still go and hide when I approach the tank but quickly return to normal swimming soon after even with me at the tank.

[patoloco]

Seems like you need to give them a little more time. Keep your routine so they learn your behavior.

Funny: my gouaramies seem to have learnt that breakfast time is around 7 o'clock in the morning. When I go to my tank they are all gathered in the same spot where I drop the flakes. :) It took about 3 months but finaly they are liking me (or my food).

[rrkss]

well, for some reason my fishes did the same thing too like a few days ago. then i changed my water and they were not afraid anymore :confused:

My fish seem to act normal after a waterchange but soon go back to being scared of me. This effect is even worse when the tank lights are on. Do you think I should do a 80-100% waterchange in case some sort of chemical is in the water causing this to happen? I do 25% waterchanges 1 a week.

[bubbles42151]

my fish acted the same way until i discovered that the nitrates in my water were dangerously high. So i did a massive water change and vacummed the gravel really good. Needless to say but i've stayed on top of water quality after that. It helped alot. Also what are you feeding them?

[rrkss]

Nitrates in my water are below 10 so that is not the problem. My fish eat flakes, bloodworms, spirulina discs, and peas on a rotating bases.

[bubbles42151]

maybe they are just a little shaken up after moving stuff around in the tank? that's good that water quality isn't an issue. I was going to suggest frozen bloodworms but you already have that under way. The frozen stuff always helps my little guys get over their shyness.

[rrkss]

What worries me is that they have been acting like this for over 10 days now. Most of my fish got over their shyness in a couple hours.

[bubbles42151]

sometimes the lighting is a little high try lowering it and see what happens.

[rrkss]

I'll do a 50% waterchange tonight since that can never hurt them. The strange thing is when the fish don't see me, they swim happily all over the place. Whenever I am seen they go and hide. I am the only one who feeds them.

I am not going to lower the lighting since this tank is a live planted tank. Some my other tanks have even more intense lighting without a problem.

[bubbles42151]

sounds good
good luck

[Analog Saint]

My Honduran Redpoints skitter whenever they see someone enter the room. However, if you sit in front of the tank in a chair, they poke around, and then resume normal behavior.

Try being in front of your tank for a given period each day, and let the fish get acclimated to having someone there. They'll be scared at first, but then they learn that you're not going to dive in and start devouring them.

[rrkss]

I'll try and sit in front of the tank for an hour each day just watching them and hope that helps.

[rrkss]

The sitting in front of the tank is helping out as they are starting to trust me. The Rosy Barbs are still scared but the other fish are fine. I spoke to the owner of my LFS about the Rosy Barbs and he told me that they are scared of everything and that is why he does not sell them since fish that always hide = unhappy customers.

[patoloco]

Most of my fish are not scared of me. But, you know, I'm super handsome.

RRKSS, I'm glad you fish is getting used to you.