Skittish Fish

[wides]

I recently set up my 55g tank as a community, and have the following:

5 yellow tail congo tetra
5 angelfish
3 boesmani rainbows
1 flag tailed catfish
1 hoplo
1 RTS

the tank is located in an extension at the back of the house, and its not often that anyone walks past the tank due to location.

Everytime i do approach the tank, all the fish bolt behind some bogwood in the far corner.

I will be adding more plants etc this weekend to try and make the fish feel more secure, but i wondered if there is anything else to try as well? the first fish i put in, were the congos's and they were skittish from the start. the angels and boesmani became skittish after a couple of days.

any suggestions welcome.

 

[helterskelter]

well it dose take fish a while to settel down i know some fish take 10-15 days befor they settel down and come out all the time.

Adding plants will help though as it will give the fish more place to hide.

 

[wides]

The congo's have been in for about 6 weeks now. I think it may be due to the location, as the previous occupants (Severums) were also a little skittish.

Im thinking about moving the tank into the living room, so the fish get used to having people around, but wasnt sure if this might make it worse.

 

[helterskelter]

Loud bangs ie door's opening and closing can cause fish to be stressed like this, try to keep in a quite corner and see if that helps.

 

[Gatorbait]

Check your water parametrs also. Ammonia or nitrites can sometimes cause fish to be skittish.

 

[wides]

The tank has been up and running for over a year, and is overfiltered for the stock, with U/G with 2 powerheads & external (previously had severums & plecs in tank) and i havent had high ammonia or nitrite readings when tested before.

Admitedly i havent checked the water in the last month, as i ran out of strips, will buy some & check tomorrow.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[wides]

I have added more plants and there has been a difference in the behaviour of the boesmani's and angels, as they not so skittish.

The congo tetra's are still hiding in the corner, and will dart there whenever i approach the tank.

I also did a water test (strip type) of my tap and tank water.

TAP TANK
NO3 10 25
NO2 0 0
GH >16 6
KH 3 0
pH 6.4 6.4

I couldnt do a test for ammonia as the LFS didnt have any when i went.

Has anyone else had the same problems with congo tetra's, and will they eventally settle down?

 

[paul_219]

Well they are probably still shy from you. How long have u been keeping them. Mice i have them for 4 moonth and still they are shy from me.