HOw to encourage them to swim out more often?

[BaBiBuTa]

everytime i look into my tank, i only see 9 cardinals, and my apistos are always hiding in their wood, how to get them to swim out in the open more? i have tried starving them for 2-3 days then feed, also never work

here's how my tank look like

 

[jakeowen]

Just a suggestion, but it is hard to see the background of your pics, But, maybe add more driiftwood. I personaly like to offer the Apistos a few caves to hide in. You can use driftwood with good natural crevaces, or holes, coconut shells, flower pots.
Maybe try some long stem plants, grwon up to the surface, to offer some shade or topwater shelter. I think, from personal experience, that the safer they feel, the more they will come out. Only because they know they can easily hide anywhere if they need to.

Also, if they are new to the tank, they may just need time to adjust to their new home.

Nice tank, and pics BTW

Hope this helps,
Jay

 

[cootwarm]

Where is your tank located?

This is another thing to consider if your tank is located in a quiet corner where they experience very little movement outside their tank. All of a sudden you come up to the tank and they get freaked out due to this sudden unusual movement.

So if your tank is in a quiet spot like I just described, try moving it to a busier location. This way they become accustomed to movement outside the tank and aren't frightened into hiding.

Michael

 

[BaBiBuTa]

well, my tank is in a busy location, lots of movement and i have 2 pcs of wood with holes, 1 on the left and 1 on the right, for each apisto, but the only place i see them out in the open is in the tennellus lawn