Has this ever happened to you

Over the weekend got 5 small dovii cichlids, I put them in a 5 foot tank with lots of hiding spots (too many maybe) now I ain't seen a fish in 2 days, not sure if they all died or if they just next level shy
recon I need move decor around and find them, lol was not expecting the king of Central American cichlids to shy, rate I will leave the light off once I have established if they alive
guess I need shy fish advise please

 

@top dog

I don't have any experience with the species, but with my shy fish I would turn off the light in the room and the tank and then have just enough light from an adjoining room so I can see what's happening in the tank. I would then sit quietly in front of the tank and do a head count as they emerge.

For some odd reason it took the last platys I got about 2 weeks to adjust to their new tank. Given the tank is in a very busy area of the house and its a kinda bow-front which should probably magnify my well established behind even more so, but they also hid away so well I had to spend a good amount of an hour waiting for them to surface so I would know they were alive.

 

thinking of doing that exactly tonight
thanks for the advise

 

Dont think anyone on this site have experience eith dovii. Take all decor out leave light on leaving them no place to hide. 2 of mine hide and 2 swim about with their flowerhorn friends.

 

Micheal not feeling brave enough for a hunger games set up, hints all the hiding spots
never realized how bad it would back fire on me

 

just make sure your light is not to bright as it will make them panic, and that will give them extra stress!

 

they also hade a long trip so leave them for a week to get use to the tank and to settle in leave your light off for that time, the convicts i got from u r doing the same thing and with every day they r coming out more often! cichlids in general does not like bright lights.

when my jag and vieja was in the 250L bare bottom, when i switch the light on they will freak out begoes the light wood be to bright for them!

 

Ha-ha! I had exactly the same thought after I went through all the trouble of setting up a nice planted tank with lots of cover and hiding spots and I ended up not seeing a single fish even though I had 22 of the things in there!

They will adjust, but I know it's frustrating not knowing if they are alive or not! Hope they adjust sooner rather than later!

 

Ja just never come across cichlids this shy before, used to seeing them grabbing food same day they in the tank, make grab so oscars as dither come feeders

 

Dovii's hiding mhmm... are you even sure they are dovii cichlids .
If there are no other fish with them in the tank, maybe try and get some healthy guppy's or other small cheap live bearers to act as dither fish.

 

to begin with,if they dont wanna eat ,its fine.they where well fed so if not eating for a few days its no sweat.Move some gravel to clear the bottom...a small section,so the food will not fall between the substrate.

try tetrabits,many fish find it attractive...give them time,

 

throw in a few fancy guppies and see the fire works

 

earth worms wont get round a big tank before they drown , tadpoles or feeder fish are better option to feed esp for predatory species .

 

I feed my fish live earth worms and a few months back did a total tear down on a 3ft tank. I found two live earthworms in the gravel, and there were no fish in that tank for a month prior to the tear down.

I have also read that they drown in water but I assure you it takes quite some time for that to happen. Your biggest challenge is that the little buggers disappear into the gravel before your fish decide to nail them.

What are you planning on housing those mini monsters in.................a lake?

 

Really not the biggest fan of live feeder fish at all, but if that what it takes I will do,
Earth worms to big at this stage, so will give them till Sunday then add so lil guppy type fish to see if it helps them get braver

 

How big are these guys now?

 

Howzit @top dog

I use four methods to get shy cichlids coming out of their rocky liars...

1. Live food suitable to the species.
2. More cover (the safer they feel the more they come out).
3. Other fish (braver fish that hang about will show the shy fish that it's safe to come out).
4. Time (if feeding is problematic I continue with live foods to avoid pollution).

As your tank is in a busy area more cover and time would be my suggestion, coupled with live foods while you can't feed them pellets without fouling the water.

 

thanks for the replies guys, think i am going to try some tiger barbs and some of @

Michael11
​

flowerhorn fry
as for live food they are pure predator and only 5cm long so need some tiny fish lol
here what tank looks like

@

L~C~G
​

they are only 5cm far from the 70cm monsters i am hoping for