Firemouth In Hiding

[Fishy_7]

Tank is cycled and Firemouth is the first pet in! He is on his own and has promptly disappeared somewhere, could not locate him this morning.  When he went in yesterday evening, he was in the same spot at the base of a plant, his colours very dark.
 
I am fully aware that fish will hide when introduced but I am a little concerned as I have had Firemouths in the past that did move around in the shadows when there were other inhabitants.  Is being on his own too stressful?  I intend to add others but not for another week at least.  Will adding another male cause fights?
 
Thanks.

 

[techen]

Can you post what the water stats are?
 
Other than that, It can take upto a good week for fish to become unshy. Give it time.

 

[simplyfish]

I did something similar, when I set the tank up, they were the only fish in for a couple of months, I found my Firemouths hid a lot, behind plants and driftwood etc. When they had a few dither fish in, they came out a lot more... I had Columbian red fin tetras in, which were a similar size (at first - firemouths became much bigger) seemed little interaction between them and no obvious fin nippage / bullying.
 
Depending on the tank size, 2 males would probably fight, but the females have nice colouration on them too.
 
Even though they are amongst the calmer cichlids, they are still cichlids and prone to fighting for dominance / territory.
 
Hope this helps.

 

[Fishy_7]

It has been a week now since the Firemouth was introduced to my tank and it is now just beginning to move around the back of the tank among the plants!  I added a few Platys to the tank as "dither" fish and it may have boosted his confidence.  Hopefully, he may venture to the middle to the tank in another week.
 
I don't think he has eaten though ... the Platys clean up before he has a chance to come out. should that be a concern?

 

[bricko]

Fish can go a good week without food, if he/she is hungy enough they will nibble on your plants.  Hopefully it will find its confidence in the next day or two and come out to feed more.