Panda Cory's So Skittish

[Marnee]

My 50 gallon has 12 panda corys in it.  They have a cave and an alcove behind drift wood that they like to snuggle in.  When they do come out you have to sit very very still to watch them.  I can be 4ft. from the tank and make the slightest bit of movement with my arm and they scatter in such a hurry.  They kick up enough sand that I can hardly see them through it until it settles again.  Just wondering why they appear to be so very nervous all the time.  They have a heavily planted tank with sand substrate.  Hiding places, tank mates are glow light tetras and rummy nose tetras.  2 platys.  The other fish don't seem at all bothered by anyone walking by the tank or movement outside the tank even if it's only inches away.  But those panda's don't like to be seen.  Is this normal of all panda's?

 

[TekFish]

They definitely move quick when the want to, I can testify to that. How long have you had them? Maybe post a picture of the thank if you can?
 
Tek oot. 

 

[Marnee]

I have had them for several months, probably closer to a year actually.  Here is a pic of the tank
 

 

[David J]

I have just got some pandas for the first time and mine sometimes act this way. I like to sit in front of the tank and watch up close but I do have to keep quite still for the pandas to come to the front. I thought it might just be cos they're new to the tank but given what you've said, maybe they are just a nervous fish?

 

[Marnee]

Good to know that I am not the only one with shy panda's David.  They are by far my favorite fish in the tank and I would love for them to stay in the open more often so I can watch them.   Especially now with the little fella that was just born a short while ago.  He/she comes out at some point daily and is so cute to watch.  

 

[Daveo026]

My albinos was the same i feed them at the front with me next to the tank they got used to me being there as they fed and now only vanish if i move to them very suddenly (normally stopping my daughter before she hits the tank with a toy)