Young Severums Panicking

[Tag2008]

Hi Guys,

I took 6 young severums from a breeder to try and get a pair from them..
They were added to a small tank thats cycled till they grow a little and possibly pair off, the stats are spot on, the ph is a wee bit lower for them.

They are panicing now they are in the tank. The slightest movment in the room set them off, even a car horn outside started the wildest panic in them..

The breeder kept them in a shed outside and Im thinking they have had complete solitude since birth ?

So I have put the lights off and covered the tank with a dark sheet to try and calm them and wondered if any of you have any thoughts or tequniques to calm them? They are calm now i think all covered up, I cant hear the substrate getting thrown round so am guessing the darks settled them a bit...

Regards as ever
Tag

 

[Gilli]

I would introduce them gradually to noise light etc. Leave the light on for short periods of time and gradually leave it on for longer and longer periods. A good idea might be to leave the TV or radio on quietly and gradually increase the volume to get them used to it - and the more time you spend looking at them the tamer they should become!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah just time and patience tbh.

maybe keep them covered for 23 hrs a day to start so they just have an hr of normal noise, movement etc

then after a few days knock it down to 22hrs

then to 20 hrs

just keep going like that until they're used to it a bit better.

 

[Tag2008]

Thanks Guys,

So would you keep them covered and still and put the tank light on so they are still covered from our outside movments etc and just light the tank so they can see?

Ive had a few peeps in at them and they are all sitting on the bottom like they sleep, I guess there aint much more you can do in the dark eh!!..

Poor buggers my heart went out to them, they were all sitting together at the front funnily enough huddled together, looked like they were watching us for a bit but you could see the panic in the wee faces...

Thanks again for your comments...

Regards

 

[Ryan_R]

How big is the tank, and is there lots of cover to hide?

-Ryan

 

[rocknurworld2006]

Thanks Guys,

So would you keep them covered and still and put the tank light on so they are still covered from our outside movments etc and just light the tank so they can see?

Ive had a few peeps in at them and they are all sitting on the bottom like they sleep, I guess there aint much more you can do in the dark eh!!..

Poor buggers my heart went out to them, they were all sitting together at the front funnily enough huddled together, looked like they were watching us for a bit but you could see the panic in the wee faces...

Thanks again for your comments...

Regards

put some ornaments fake plants in etc for cover keep them in the dark for 24hours

i wouldnt cover the tank just keep lights out at the moment then see what theyre like tomorow . try like said the telly on etc

 

[Tag2008]

Hi,

Ive put 2 of my smallest american flags in with them and the second I did it they came OK..
They are out and about and although still nervy of us they are not panicing the same..
I have a few plant pots n rocks and some decor for them.

The covers off now and the lights on again and they are eating all the food from the gravel that they missed when I tried a feed earlier and they hid...

Fingers crossed...

I think the TV seems to scare them a bit too?? Mind you emerdale and eastenders do get a bit scary eh...

Thanks again