Yellow Assesor Hiding

[buddythelion]

I recently purchased a yellow assessor about two days ago. He currently resides in my my 12 gallon nano and has plenty of cave like rock structures for him to go upside and stuff, but he's constantly hiding and only comes out at night to swim around the tank. Is this normal and is there hope that I'll be able to see this little gem swim out in the open when the lights are on?

Posts about your experiences on these guys would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

What (if any) tankmates is he in with? If he's not being harassed, he'll come around eventually.

 

[buddythelion]

I have a tail spot blenny.
I hear blennies can be a little aggressive?

 

[LisaD]

I think its normal. Also, I think your tank is on the small side to house these two fish. I'd think you'd need at least a 20 or 29. The flow might be on the high side for this fish, causing it to hide as well.

 

[Wolverine]

Assessors can take a while to get settled in. They can be relatively cryptic (I went weeks at a time without seeing the last one I had).
I agree with Lisa that a 12g is pretty small for these fish long term.

 

[velvetelvis]

+2
That tank's too small for two fish, unless they're cleaner or trimma gobies.

 

[evb9]

i have one and since day one he has been out! i have a 30 gallon he has his favorite cave and just hangs there. awesome fish i love him. But as others said don't worry until it has been a week or two and you still haven't seen him. Just remember most fish hate same color same shape fish, colors off but shape is PRETTY similar he maybe is getting bullied, keep an eye out.

 

[LisaD]

Even in a larger (29 gallon), calm (seahorse tankmates) tank, my blue assessor was almost always out of sight. It would come out occasionally, but not often, and not for long.

But my rockwork had all the cool caves in the back. If you have a low flow area with nice overhangs, you might see him more. But don't do anything now, give the fish time to get settled.

 

[Bret61081]

My pair is always out in my 95. Hid for the first week or 2 but slowly acclimated to the busy tank. Give them some time