Fish that hide in Qt and dont eat

[roggy23]

What do you do when you get a new fish in qt alone and just hides in fear most of the time and won't eat? I feel like these fish are doomed from the start.

 

[vetteguy53081]

What do you do when you get a new fish in qt alone and just hides in fear most of the time and won't eat? I feel like these fish are doomed from the start.

a- keep lights low
b- step back so its not terrified or intimidated
c- attempt light feeding

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

What do you do when you get a new fish in qt alone and just hides in fear most of the time and won't eat? I feel like these fish are doomed from the start.

What species?

Normally, a fish’s feeding response should overcome shyness (unless you’re too close to the tank).
Other reasons can be wrong food, cyanide collection, disease or water quality issues.

Jay

 

[roggy23]

What species?

Normally, a fish’s feeding response should overcome shyness (unless you’re too close to the tank).
Other reasons can be wrong food, cyanide collection, disease or water quality issues.

Jay

Was a gold head goby

 

[threebuoys]

Did you have a bowl of non-calcareous sand in the QT for the goby to burrow in?

I often tape some dark paper, e.g. grocery store brown bag, over one of the front corners of the QT so the new fish can avoid spectators or flashes of light without having to find an object in the tank for cover.

Food can be a challenge for some new fish for sure. Variety helps until you find something he'll eat.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Was a gold head goby

Those are tough fish to quarantine, and are pretty delicate overall. As said, they need some substrate to feel comfortable, but they are also prone to bacterial diseases and are suspected of being caught with cyanide in some locations.

Jay