Shy Celestial Pearl Danios - Fish for the Planted Aquarium

mgnrygrl · 09-18-2012, 09:30 AM

I have a six gallon planted Fluval Edge with a few cherry shrimp, so I'm trying to keep the fish in there as small and peaceful as possible. I just added three Celestial Pearl Danios to my nano tank on Saturday. They made it through the weekend and I saw two of them swimming around yesterday (Monday). They are EXTREMELY shy and would hide as soon as they saw any movement in the room. I gave a tiny bit of finely crushed flake food, but they would not come out to eat it. Today, I don't see any of them at all. I poked around a little, but saw no bodies or fish. I'm not sure what's going on with them. Could they just be hiding or are they dead? The water parameters all test fine, so I don't think anyone is dead and decomposing in there (then again, they are very small). Assuming they are alive, is there anything I can do to make them more comfortable so that they come out? Do they maybe need a little more time to settle in? I was hoping to end up with a little school of them, just adding a few at a time until I had 7-10of them. Would that help them feel safer? If not, should I just go with other fish that are a little bolder? I'd really like to see some fish swimming about, so I'd appreciate any suggestions. I'm also concerned about trying to feed them because they aren't interested in the food and I don't want the uneaten food to cause a spike in ammonia.

Aquat · 09-18-2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgnrygrl

I have a six gallon planted Fluval Edge with a few cherry shrimp, so I'm trying to keep the fish in there as small and peaceful as possible. I just added three Celestial Pearl Danios to my nano tank on Saturday. They made it through the weekend and I saw two of them swimming around yesterday (Monday). They are EXTREMELY shy and would hide as soon as they saw any movement in the room. I gave a tiny bit of finely crushed flake food, but they would not come out to eat it. Today, I don't see any of them at all. I poked around a little, but saw no bodies or fish. I'm not sure what's going on with them. Could they just be hiding or are they dead? The water parameters all test fine, so I don't think anyone is dead and decomposing in there (then again, they are very small). Assuming they are alive, is there anything I can do to make them more comfortable so that they come out? Do they maybe need a little more time to settle in? I was hoping to end up with a little school of them, just adding a few at a time until I had 7-10of them. Would that help them feel safer? If not, should I just go with other fish that are a little bolder? I'd really like to see some fish swimming about, so I'd appreciate any suggestions. I'm also concerned about trying to feed them because they aren't interested in the food and I don't want the uneaten food to cause a spike in ammonia.

With proper filtration and an established bacterial colony. You shouldn't have to worry about left over flake food. Unless you decide to dump an entire container in there. Give them time, try holding off on feeding for a couple of days. When they're hungry, their instinct is to grab what ever is possible. Since it's only them in there, it shouldn't be a problem. Give em' time.

pandamonium · 09-18-2012, 08:09 PM

I grabbed some CPDs and I find that they do very well with dither fish of some kind. I have them paired with a lot of furcata rainbows which are ALL over the tank very active fish. Now my CPDs will run all over the tank as well. Once it's lights on or off though, they will hide a bit but maybe try giving them lots of plant cover like Blyxa or something similar and some dither fish

mgnrygrl · 09-19-2012, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquat

With proper filtration and an established bacterial colony. You shouldn't have to worry about left over flake food. Unless you decide to dump an entire container in there. Give them time, try holding off on feeding for a couple of days. When they're hungry, their instinct is to grab what ever is possible. Since it's only them in there, it shouldn't be a problem. Give em' time.

Thanks for the reassurance! I'll give it a week or two and see if they reappear. In the meantime, I'll put in a little flake food now and then. I suppose worst case scenario, the shrimp will eat it.

mgnrygrl · 09-19-2012, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pandamonium

I grabbed some CPDs and I find that they do very well with dither fish of some kind. I have them paired with a lot of furcata rainbows which are ALL over the tank very active fish. Now my CPDs will run all over the tank as well. Once it's lights on or off though, they will hide a bit but maybe try giving them lots of plant cover like Blyxa or something similar and some dither fish

It's funny you mentioned furcatas! I was torn between getting those or CPDs when I was at the LFS last weekend. The CPDs have plenty of cover...it's why I can't find them (I hope). I have a big patch of blyxa and some stem plants I swiped from my sister in the center of the tank which is where most of the light is. The rear corners of the tank are a bit more bare because I've planted crypts since they don't need as much light. I figure they will grow in over time, as will the microsword I am trying to get to carpet the foreground. I've been getting really nice growth of everything I have put in there, even with the stock light fixture. If I don't see the CPDs come out in the next week or so, I may add some furcatas to see if that helps. The guys at the LFS steered me towards the CPDs because they said the furcatas would get too big. I suppose I can always give them away if they outgrow the tank.

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phoenixkiller · 10-01-2012, 01:20 PM

I haven't kept these, but hopefully I can say something to help out a bit...

Maybe too much light in the tank? I don't usually suggest this, but maybe a few floaters will darken a corner or two of the tank and they will feel more secure.

Also, give them time to adjust. They may just get bolder when they get used to their new home. My fish were freaked out when I got a brighter light for a tank, but after a week or so they came out and played as they always did.

Good luck with your CPDs, I hope I helped a bit!

AquaBarren · 10-01-2012, 01:36 PM

Took ours months to be at home. Never saw them. They are readily visible now though.

blue thumb · 10-04-2012, 03:03 AM

Check around the floor. I bought 5 of these once and they all eventually jumped out.

cv3back · 10-07-2012, 03:50 PM

CPDs like to be kept in groups, 3 might not be enough for them to feel comfortable.

I often use my tweezers to feed my CPDs by hand, one flake at a time. This will get the little guys used to you and associate you with food. Now mine come right up to the front of the glass whenever I walk by.

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AquaBarren · 10-08-2012, 10:48 AM

Mine were very shy for months. 4 months in and they are just starting to come out regularly. Still have to watch from a distance.