New Apistogrammas

[Gotfish]

Hi,

I just bought some Apistogrammas. I've had them for about 3 weeks. They are in planted tank. Why are they always hiding? Are they always that shy?

Thanks

 

[ste12000]

Are they with any other fish or by themselves, do they have any cover and places to hide?
By nature Apistogamma and other dwarf species are shy sedimentary fish, in their natural enviroment they are amongst the fish at the bottom of the foodchain, and live amongst leaf litter, broken wood, rocks and undercut banks. They use the shelter from these items to hide from predators.
The fish will show more in your tank if you give them some more hiding places, typically we use wood, plants, also use coconut shells cut in half to provide caves. All these things will provide hiding places for your fish and if they know they have somewhere to hide they are more likely to show themselves, Other fish are important because in the wild the apistos use other fish as a warning sign, if the shoals of tetras dart off and dissapear then the apistos take cover, if the apistos do not have tankmates then they take their absence as a constant danger signal and remain hiding..

With plenty of cover and tankmates the Apistogramma usually learn that there is no danger in the tank and usually become very tame, mine are often the first up for food in my living room tank. My breeding tanks look like this...

 

[Vic]

If they are going in the tank alone the get easily shy. How big is the tank? Try to buy some tetras or an other very active fish.