[RTAGUE]

Hi guys,I have 25 dems and 6 labs in a 90 gallon,they are 6 months old and are about 2-2.5 inches some of them are 3 inches.the problem is I hardly get to see them ,if I get within 6 feet of the tank Im looking at a rock display,its starting to get on my nerves :x .Do they grow out of this,or is this just the way they are even fully grown? .Thanks in advance

 

[TheeMon]

my little ones dont do this. i have newborn fry that are fearless. the lab fry with them run but the baby demasoni hold there territory untill i put my hands(or food) in the water.

my adults are worse then cats begging for treats

 

[gbleeker]

RTAGUE - I had a similar problem with my Demasoni. Get some dither fish - fast Danios or something. A group of 5 or 6 will slowly entice them out.

Also, if you are turning your lights on and off - it used to scare my fish etc. Now I bought a cheap timer set to turn the lights on at 9am and off at 9pm. When I'm not near the tank when the lights go on, they don't associate me with being scared. Now when the light comes on they all swim up to the top to be fed.

 

[cichlidaholic]

Is the tank in a high traffic area?

Do you have a background on the tank? Is it the kind that you can wrap around the sides, as well. (This can help make them more secure.)

Kim

 

[RTAGUE]

No,the tank is in a very low traffic area (basement),it fits snuggly into a 4ft opening,back is painted black,The tank is heavily rocked almost too many hiding places.Im thinking of removing some of the rockwork,let em come out and duke it out if they have to,any thoughts?

 

[Fogelhund]

I imagine that they hide when you come to feed them too. If so, then stand there, and put a very small amount of food in the tank. Hold it in your hands. You need to teach them that you provide the food, and they need to come to the tank to get it.

If they don't come out, don't feed them for a few days. Repeat the process.

Once they have learned to associate you with food, they will come out when they see you.

 

[RTAGUE]

Thanks Fogulhund,Im going to give it a try and see what happens.

 

[DJRansome]

Maybe they are TOO isolated and need a little traffic so they can get used to it.

 

[RTAGUE]

Good point DJransome.