Hiding fish

[ladynaoko]

In my tank there is a large piece of driftwood in one corner with a large plant behind it. This is basically where my pleco chills out during the day.

However, a few days back I noticed he was stuck to my filter quite happily instead. I also noticed that my Betta was "missing". I found my Betta hiding out in the plant.. which has grown to a stupid size - it fills the back corner and is so tall it covers a lot of the surface of the tank in that corner. Since my Betta started going there - my tetras have as well, spending a large amount of time behind this piece of wood in the plant. Ever since these fish have been hiding out there the pleco keeps staying by the filter, so I'm guessing he's not too keen on them all invading his little corner. My platies are starting to go over there a lot now as well. Please understand that they're not there 24/7.. they do come out just they're spending much much longer behind there now and if you just glance at my tank it looks bare.

Should I cut back the plant a bit? If I do this will the fish all go back to normal?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Cutting the plant back will encourage it to grow more, maybe have 2 areas. Or move the wood.

 

[ladynaoko]

I'm trying to get some more wood to set up some new hiding places for him, he's got a couple but he usually only stays behind the large piece (until now that is).

I should cut that plant back anyway because it's lliterally filling up my entire tank, it's taken over that side of the tank (width ways) and its starting to go length ways now as well. It'll grow anyway but by cutting it can I maintain how big it will actually be? hey.. maybe I could plant cuttings of it into the other corner

 

[Cheese Specialist]

That's what I'd do. What kind of plant is it? Maybe you could put some in other parts of your tank and if it goes too mad do more cuttings and give them away to people.

That's what I do with mine, but I usually move mine to other tanks

 

[ladynaoko]

in all honesty I don't know what type of plant it is.
It's some kind of weed I imagine.. I'll see if I have any pictures of it in one of my "bad " fish pics..

...

wow! I do!

Here it is, with a couple of platies.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I think that's 'cabomba' and it does grow like mad! I used to have it but my goldfish scoffed it all!!

 

[ladynaoko]

my fish nibble at it but obviously not enough

I think I'll cut quite a bit off then plant it at the other end... I've got a bare corner by my filter after my platies demolished the plant that was there. If I did plant cuttings, how exactly would I do it?

 

[gixer]

yes ths deffinatly cabomba.


grows like mad

 

[ladynaoko]

well, I cut quite a lot of the plant and replanted it in the tank.
My fish are already coming out of hiding

 

[smithrc]

yes ths deffinatly cabomba.


grows like mad

we cant keep it alive in ours

most of the other are doing fine though...

 

[CFC]

grows like mad

we cant keep it alive in ours

most of the other are doing fine though... [/quote]
cabomba doesnt do well in hard water, we cant grow it here either without the use of RO water.

 

[ryan]

I also have a King Tiger L066 Plec and I don't see him for months on end until I go and check on him.

 

[ladynaoko]

I also have a King Tiger L066 Plec and I don't see him for months on end until I go and check on him.

I see mine every day, he doesn't hide himself properly and I always see half his body poking out

He's taken to staying on the filter now, since everyones clearing out from his old hiding place he might go back there now

 

[Stryker]

Is he on the underside or rear side of your filter? That is probably his cave instinct working there. One of mine loves hanging out under the low broad leaves of malaysian sword plant.

 

[ladynaoko]

Is he on the underside or rear side of your filter? That is probably his cave instinct working there. One of mine loves hanging out under the low broad leaves of malaysian sword plant.

he was on the side between the filter and the glass... he's gone bacxk to his old hidey-hole now though

Everyones happy again!