Labs still in hiding

[Wolfdog]

Hey, I’ve got 8 Yellow Labs in a 29gal. They have been in there since March 10th. They are still the most skittish fish I have. I walk into my room and they all dart away and are almost possible to find in the tank. I have lots of hiding places with rocks and plants. So much that they completely hide without me even seeing them.

Why are they still doing this? Water conditions are good. Everything’s good and nitrates are at 10, everything’s else is at zero. I do weekly water changes and water vacs. I’ve moved around the decorations in the tank, I’ve tried everything. What is there I can do?

They are all about 3-4 inches. The largest most dominate male is showing his black “stress bars” (is that what they are?) He also has a lot of kinda black around his face.
Any help is great!

Wolf

 

[freddyk]

Maybe they need more space, a 29 gallon doesn't give 8 4" labs any room to work with. In my experience labs are very active and outgoing, but I'd never keep them in a tank so small either.

The best thing I can recommend is to get a suitable sized tank and add another species to liven things up.

 

[Wolfdog]

Could i give a few back and get something else to go with them? and if i add something else... what?


Wolf

 

[Ferris]

I think the point is that you need to free up some room rather than replace the labs with other fish. I would take 2 back to your LFS and see how you get on with 6.

 

[BOD]

mine were like this at first, i have 4, the got 3 colbalts this livend things up a bit...but it might not work for eveyone....they still hide away a bit but gradually they are learning that when i go over to the tank there usually gonna get fed lol...so they all come out