Invisible Fish

[sueandherzoo]

No, not really, but they may as well be! I know it probably takes time and patience (like everything in this hobby) but shouldn't I get to see and enjoy my livestock once in a while? In my 55 I have a small porcupine puffer, a small yellow tang, and a green mandarin, and I never see any of them - they are always behind the rockwork. I was hoping after a week or two they would get to know that my presence meant food and would become visible but it's like having an empty tank - no one comes to see me! I have more fun at night when the lights are out looking at hitchhikers than I do during the day.

Then in my soon-to-be horsetank I have a large blue-spot goby, his buddy, the tiger pistol shrimp, and two fire gobies. The fire gobies dart into a rock as soon as I enter the room - and the goby and pistol shrimp only make an appearance when they are cleaning their den.
Is this normal? I spend a lot of time, energy and money making everything perfect and would really like to SEE some of the fruits of my labors.

Sue
Thank goodness for my 12 gallon that houses two false percs -- at least THEY are out and about. I found them boring when I first got them but now am very grateful to have them.

 

[tonysi]

Well at least you have the clowns.

It'll take some time for the tang i have a scopas that hid for 3 weeks-nows hes always out.Porcs are shy little guys that take some time and manderins are always crawling around the rocks looking for food so you'll catch glimpes of him.

 

[kube]

I can speak for the fire gobys mine always would dart away at first but after a month or so they would come out more, but any sudden movements towards the tank and they were gone, then my what i thought was small lion fish ate them....

...live and learn

 

[sueandherzoo]

Originally Posted by Kube
http:///forum/post/2849137
I can speak for the fire gobys mine always would dart away at first but after a month or so they would come out more, but any sudden movements towards the tank and they were gone, then my what i thought was small lion fish ate them....

...live and learn
Guess they had a good reason to be hiding!
Sue

 

[lkgrenegade22]

Mine are the same way, but opposite. When I 1st got them they stayed out quite a bit. Then I rearranged the rockwork to give them more caves/hiding places and now I have to sit there for awhile to catch them moving about. I'm sure they are alot happier though!

 

[sickboy]

I have some fish that come out, and some that I almost never see. I think it just depends on the individual fish's personality.

 

[sepulatian]

They are still scared. Don't approach the tank quickly or put your face to the glass. Approach slowly. They will figure out that you are the one that cares for them, but give them time.

 

[sueandherzoo]

The one that frustrates me the most is the porcupine puffer. Everyone else is slowly making progress in the right direction but the puffer is actually going backwards. He used to come out more than he does now and I think it started when we added the yellow tang. Since then he stays in a rock cave and doesn't come out, EVEN to get live feeders! If the feeder happens to swim into his cave he'll eat it but he won't come out to get one. The feeders end up dying and I have to scoop them out and flush them. My chances of training the puffer to start accepting food other than feeders is getting put on hold now that he won't even come out. The fish that is supposed to be the MOST personable is turning out to be a real wallflower. I feel really bad for him.
Sue