Hiding In Cave

[starsatnight]

i have 3 golden barbs and 4 cherry barbs and they've been in the tank for 2 weeks now and all has been well with the levels i've been taking (amonia & pH, i don't have a nitrate/nitrite test yet).

this morning when i fed them i noticed that one of the cherrys was missing. after hunting high and low i found one of the females swimming around in the little cave that's in the hollow of a piece of wood i bought at the fish store. the wood was in the tank during the entire fish-less cycle and was in the tank long before the fish were added.

i tried gently rocking the wood back and forth in an effort to see if i could get her to leave, but she just swims up the the edge, sort of looks at me and won't come out.

the other fish are all behaving the same way they always have. should i be concerned - or is this just typical behaviour from the shy cherry barbs? obviously, if she won't eat tomorrow, i'll know i have a problem. has anyone else experienced this? am i just a nervous new 'parent'?

thanks!

 

[kpintheshed]

see if any of the fins are damaged. she could just be resting. mine go in the log because its quite dark, to rest.

 

[bobross]

I'm not trying to be offensive, but.... how do you know your water levels are fine if you don't have a test for nitrates/nitrites?

Also, how do you know the fishless cycle is complete without those two tests?








BobRoss

 

[newtotropical]

I'm not trying to be offensive, but.... how do you know your water levels are fine if you don't have a test for nitrates/nitrites?

Also, how do you know the fishless cycle is complete without those two tests?








BobRoss

Agreed! the first thing you should do is get a full test kit!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I'm not trying to be offensive, but.... how do you know your water levels are fine if you don't have a test for nitrates/nitrites?

Also, how do you know the fishless cycle is complete without those two tests?

yeah i was wondering that myself.

before anything else you should get tests for nitrite and nitrate and make sure the levels are ok.

there can eb several other reason's why she's hiding, watch out for bullying, torn or nipped fins, add some more cover and hiding places

 

[kpintheshed]

mine go under there but i thinks it to explore. my stats are fine as i said those the fish look hurt. it m8ight be hiding because its been attacked or the water levels.