My Cockatoo Cichlid

[Le Sorcier]

Added a pair recently to my Juwel 180. The female has fitted in fine but the male is very shy and looks like he is not happy


Tends to hide a lot. My tank is maybe too busy with Polka Dot Loach and Rainbowfish?

Will he make it? Is there anything I can do to help him or will he settle? (had him about 2 weeks)

Thanks

 

[fluvial]

Hi Le Sorcier
Have you got them while they're still quite small ?

My male Apisto was v shy and stayed in one corner of the tank for the first 3 months while he grew out.
The female was more dominant and seemed to mature much quicker.
She used to attack him on sight which didn't help his confidence.

Then within a week he suddenly seemed to grow up - became dominant over her and now considers the entire tank to
be his territory. If they meet she is very submissive and displays to him, a complete reversal of their first 3 months.

If yours are still young it may take quite some time for him to settle in, give him plenty of hiding places and don't hassle him.
I even made sure that I fed their food towards his corner to make sure that he fed OK without having to leave the security of his
area.

Now he is the best looking fish in the tank and totally unafraid of anything else in there.

 

[Bebobb]

I don't see how being "too busy" would be a problem. It seems like it would bring him out. That is what dithers are for. And I would consider you rainbows dithers...

 

[Le Sorcier]

Hi Le Sorcier
Have you got them while they're still quite small ?

My male Apisto was v shy and stayed in one corner of the tank for the first 3 months while he grew out.
The female was more dominant and seemed to mature much quicker.
She used to attack him on sight which didn't help his confidence.

Then within a week he suddenly seemed to grow up - became dominant over her and now considers the entire tank to
be his territory. If they meet she is very submissive and displays to him, a complete reversal of their first 3 months.

If yours are still young it may take quite some time for him to settle in, give him plenty of hiding places and don't hassle him.
I even made sure that I fed their food towards his corner to make sure that he fed OK without having to leave the security of his
area.

Now he is the best looking fish in the tank and totally unafraid of anything else in there.

That sounds exactly like mine at this early stage. I believe they are young (only about 1 1/2 inches long).

Hopefully the same thing will happen. He likes to hide in one particular cave and does feed off of bits floating nearby him.

I've been feeding my fish on Flake, Crisps, Freeze Dried Daphnia, Frozen Bloodworm and Brine Shrimp (in a sealed pack in a kind of jelly). Is that diet ok?

Thanks for your reply, you've given me more hope that things may turn out ok.

 

[Le Sorcier]

Sadly my Cockatoo Cichlid died this week

My female continues to be fine, should I get her a new male and hope this one survives?

Thanks

 

[Bebobb]

I would. They pair up quite eaisly.