Shy Guppy

[PrairieSunflower]

Nearly 2 weeks ago I bought a lovely little half black female guppy (along with a few others). She hides in the middle back of my tank nearly ALL the time, still. She isn't ill or anything... just constantly hiding from me! I was surprised to catch her sleeping in the front of the tank a few nights ago, as I assumed she probably sleeps in the back too.

Is this normal? I am completely sure she is not being harassed and is not ill. She is so pretty I wish I could see her more!

 

[chigwellhammer]

My two mollies are very shy and they seem to hide, I think it is just a case of them getting used to seeing you and they are safe etc

 

[PrairieSunflower]

My two mollies are very shy and they seem to hide, I think it is just a case of them getting used to seeing you and they are safe etc

I hope so! I really want to look at her. I'm used to them hiding for a few days, but never had one hide for 2 weeks before! She tends to hide under a really big leaf behind the ship wreck and I only can manage to see her tail when she is there!

 

[OldMan47]

Try adding more hiding places in your tank. I know that sounds backward but a fish that can quickly hide is often visible more of the time because the ability to hide easily gives them some confidence.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

What would make a good hiding place?

At the moment I have plants with smaller leaves on the far ends of my tank and the middle of my tank I have a large plant with large leaves (which is where she hides) and the ship wreck which she hides behind but could also go into, but she doesn't. I've got two filters and there is also space behind those.

 

[OldMan47]

Almost anything that gives your fish a place to hide works fine. My best example is a heavily planted tank that I have. If you look closely at this picture you will see lots of fish right up front but the tank is 16 inches, about 40cm, from front to back. You can see almost every fish in the tank in that picture because they had lots of hiding places.