Spooked Jaguar

[Steve2717]

The other day i went to feed my 8inch jaguar but couldnt find him at first, he was hiding behind a decoration. When i got him to move he darted straight to the other end to try and hide and then straight back to his original spot. He's done nothing but hide for a few days now. I'll come downstairs and see him out but as soon as he sees me he's straight into hiding. Not sure what his problem is. Up until recently he'll always be at the glass waiting for food or ill see him trying to boss the common pleco around. I thought maybe the pleco had enough and give him a slap but then he's been hiding in the same spot as the pleco. Any ideas what could of caused him to act like this/anything i can do to get him to stop hiding?

 

[GaryE]

Immediately do a 50% water change. The fright hormones in the water will be through the ceiling. Then look around the room. Has something changed that could be spooking him (I'm assuming from the post it's just 2 fish in the tank)? Jaguar Cichlids are visual hunters and are very aware of the outside surroundings.
I've had fish react to weird things they've misinterpreted in the room before. It's different (maybe) but my neighbours are renovating and a thin strip of styrofoam has blown into the bushes out front. My dog who didn't get sprayed by a skunk last night (close call) is at the window furious because it looks like a white stripe to her. Fish can do the same general thing.

But first and foremost, this can be a sign of water quality issues. Jaguars grow fast, and sometimes the maintenance they need young doesn't cut it with time. With a pleco in there, water quality will always take a beating, and polluted water, vibrations or sights from the room, electrical malfunctions with equipment and such have to be looked into. Water quality's a usual culprit.

 

[Steve2717]

He's due a water change tomorrow, i normally do a 50% every 1 week occassionally a 2nd week depending how busy i am. Ill try that and see how it goes. Yes its just him and the common pleco in there. The tank is in the dining room and ive just got a new table and chairs that has never been there. Didnt think that could be an issue

 

[GaryE]

It's crazy, but they can be hyper aware of the room around. Once they start releasing fright hormones, it becomes a loop. People like the bigger predatory Cichlids as they interact, but they also interact with the room and like my dog, can misinterpret our human objects. That piece of old stryo blew away before I could go get it and put it in the neighbour's dumpster, so I guess that beast here's vanquished.

I have a wild caught pair of Pelvicachromis pulcher guarding fry here, and their interaction with the room is fascinating. They've clearly spawned before, in the wild, and that creates a wariness you don't see with domestic individuals. Every movement in the room gets their eye and their reaction. I'll wager that if I made a major change in the room, they'd become secretive with their fry.

 

[Steve2717]

If its not a water quality issue and is the new dining room table, do you think he'll get over it in time or do you think its messing with his feng shui ?

 

[Back in the fold]

For those that don’t know or have never heard of it , that fright hormone thing that Gary is talking about is a real thing and should be taken seriously .