Just wondering if this is normal

[phiberXoptic]

I have a 75g tank, with 3 firemouths, bogwood, clay pots, and white sand. I just recently put these guys in with my bio spira the other day (3 days ago).

I expected them to be shy at first, which they were, and I also wasnt expecting a lot of eating from them at first either. But they are still VERY SHY, and practically nocturnal, I know this because i dim the lights in my room and i can watch them swim around. But when i turn on the light for the aquarium they just either go in a pot or stay under the bogwood.

I am currently feeding them hikari pellets, and they dont even touch them, do they eat from the surface. or would they rather eat scraps from the bottom or what?

Should I put some floating plants to dim the light? or will they become more active soon. like I said, they have only been in there for 3 days.

Thanks for the help in advance

 

[Karnaaj]

You need some dither fish. Dither dish are any fish that give your firemouths a sense of security. If the Firemouths see that the dither fish are unafraid they feel more at ease. A lot of people choose tetra's or danio's that swim in the mid to upper levels of the tank, out of the way of the Firemouths (or whatever cichlid you may have) preferred swimming area.

 

[PumaWard]

I would leave the lights normal, they should adjust. You may want to try sinking pellets or bloodworms at first... the movement might ease them out into the open.

 

[phiberXoptic]

I was thinking about that, I do have one Giant Danio in there, sorry forgot to add that. I was going to ask what a nice school would be, soooo you say about maybe 6 more giant danios would be nice? or do you have a more colorful fish that would go good. thanks for the quick replys

 

[Karnaaj]

Giant Danios would work very well. They are too fast for the Firemouths to catch as well as being a good looking fish. Tiger Barbs, Rosy Barbs, maybe Congo Tetra's, perhaps one of the bigger Rainbows, would all be possibilities.