Wimpy orchid dottyback

brett559

brett559

New member
I've had this fish for over a month. He comes out at feeding time, grabs some mysis and darts back to his hiding place. I never ever see him any other time.

Any change this guy will ever get brave and stay out? He is pretty small, so maybe it will take some time. No one seems to bother him when he comes out to eat. I know they are shy, but I was hoping to see him every once in a while.
 
Have you tried building his self esteem? Try complimenting him at feeding time, giving him gentle encouragement and letting him know just how special he is.
 
j_mazzy said:
Have you tried building his self esteem? Try complimenting him at feeding time, giving him gentle encouragement and letting him know just how special he is.
Click to expand...

You're good enough, you're smart enough, and doggone it, people like you...
 
What size is your tank? A pair of percs take over approx 50 gal of tank space and can be very aggressive and/or diligent about defending/patrolling it. There may not be any territory left for the latest addition.

Another possibility is that he's not a purple dottyback because they are usually hellions.

AquaAddict
 
polaravic said:
What size is your tank? A pair of percs take over approx 50 gal of tank space and can be very aggressive and/or diligent about defending/patrolling it. There may not be any territory left for the latest addition.

Another possibility is that he's not a purple dottyback because they are usually hellions.

AquaAddict
Click to expand...

Yes but an orchid is a different, normally far more peaceful than a purple dotty.

I would also say that the trouble makers in the tank are more likely to be the mystery wrasse (same family as a six line and the family are all alike) or the hawk who can be very naughty but in a playful manner which can be intimidating to other species.

My fridmani has been in my tank around the same time and it seems completely different as it's out a lot of the time. I put this down to it being at the lfs for quite a while making it less shy and the tank itself being in a quiet place and with one side completely covered in rock work with the other open water (the other fish spend a lot of time on the other side and the cover makes the dotty bolder). I'd just give it a little more time to adjust as a month is still very early days.
 
You're probably right. I just need to be patient. My mystery wrasse is probably my wimpiest fish. I used to have a Royal G that my flame hawk used to love to mess with. He'd sit right in the RG's "spot" and not move until the RG opened his mouth super wide and sort of pushed him with his open mouth. So maybe the hawk is giving him the business.

My midas blenny is pretty spunky. Might be him that needs to chill out as well.

Anyway, sounds like this fish takes some time to feel comfortable, and given the wrong tank mates, may never be out front and center. At least he was cheap. And it's sort of a thrill when I do see him, like a Bigfoot sighting or something...
 
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