Desensitizing shy fish

ZoWhat · Mar 24, 2019

I have a new Blue Jaw Trigger and I know by nature they are reeeeeeeeeally shy.

My BJT is eating and comes out but I have to sit completely still. Any movement it darts to a hiding spot.

My tank is in a veeeeeery slow traffic part of the house. All the fish can go all day long and not see a human until I sit and watch and feed btwn 8pm to 11pm.

QUESTION:

Would it be beneficial to put a TV a couple of feet in front of the tank and just play it all day long as ALL the fish get use to movement, faces, flashes of light off the TV screen?

Goal is to DESENSITIZE all fish thru this TV facing the tank

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Mr. Experience · Mar 24, 2019

I do think it would help as long as you don't blast them with sound waves and strobe lights

Also if you give it a try and they don't show much improvement you should still give it some time as they're probably still adjusting to tank parameters and finding their ways around the tank safely. The longer they're in there and being fed well the more comfortable they'll get with the feeding process and your daily movements about the glass. And if that STILL doesn't work and a month+ goes by without any hope, then maybe you could rearrange your rock work to where they're forced to come out and get used to their new habitat but just remember this affects everyone else in the tank as well. Good luck!

ZoWhat · Mar 24, 2019

Mr. Experience said:
I do think it would help as long as you don't blast them with sound waves and strobe lights!

Yeah. I was planning ZERO audio. Far enough back that its would just show broadcast TV.

Maybe they'll get addicted to Soap Operas. Lol

Mr. Experience · Mar 24, 2019

skimjim said:
Yeah. I was planning ZERO audio. Far enough back that its would just show broadcast TV.

Maybe they'll get addicted to Soap Operas. Lol

LOL let me know how it goes

Daniel@R2R · Mar 25, 2019

I know when my reef was in a low traffic area, the fish tended to be shy. The TV is a creative idea. Let us know how it goes

Variant · Mar 25, 2019

Maybe a few dither fish will help?

DarkSky · Mar 25, 2019

Most of my fish were very timid when I first acquired them, I slowly acclimated them to my presence over a period of a few months by feeding and standing far away, then closer to the tank and not moving, then moving around slowly, to now (dump food in, clean glass, move around at a normal pace).

Now they're used to my nephews running around looking at the tank, when the see me come in the room they all come swimming up to the surface for food. It took awhile, but I started in the QT tank where they only had a few pvc pipes to hide in, but could still see me and feel like they were hidden. Once they learn to associate food = you, they'll be out and about constantly.

Zeal · Mar 26, 2019

So when my GF approaches the tank the fish usually hide in their sleeping spots...

But when I approach the tank they all stay out

So is it possible that they recognize me?

Oldsalt · Mar 26, 2019

I had that problem with a new Foxface Rabbitfish. Every time I walked past the tank he'd dart under a rock. I'm the only person here. I turned on music (I'm a classically trained pianist/composer) and it had an amazing effect on all the fish. Foxface came out of hiding, clowns and Banggai cardinals started to breed! That's just music. I'd imagine a TV could help in your situation. Worth a try.

MombasaLionfish · Mar 26, 2019

Variant said:
Maybe a few dither fish will help?

Arnt those freshwater?

Variant · Mar 26, 2019

MombasaLionfish said:
Arnt those freshwater?

Dither fish being any active fish that will encourage other more sensitive fish to come out and eat. For example, chromis are good 'dither' fish.

EmptyWallet · Mar 27, 2019

Excellent question! My fish only get 5 minutes of interruption per day (long story) and the tangs now dart to hiding as soon as I open the door. I had to get a cloud cam just to confirm they are still alive!

1stNoel · Mar 27, 2019

My BJT is also really shy; meanwhile my Naso Tang follows me around like a puppy dog.

I spent two hours cleaning the tank tonight and he was literally on the other side of the glass, and brushing up against my hand. He has a ton of personality.

Hemmdog · Mar 27, 2019

Watch clockwork orange, you will get some ideas.

1stNoel · Mar 27, 2019

I vote for a marathon of Shark Week. It's like Scared Straight, but for fish.

vetteguy53081 · Mar 27, 2019

My blue jaw shy until the food comes out.
I have many that are shy but as long as they are healtt and shot their faces occasionally.... im ok with it

Bob Escher · Mar 27, 2019

Most of my fish are and have been shy for the longest time. My yellow tang I’ve had him fir three years and he sees me he hides until it feeding time.
The cardinalfish, opecsee me they are gone even if feeding

Julian Bastidas · Mar 27, 2019

I have a clown fish (Bully) that we were trying to catch and now is always scare and makes my yellow tang scare and run for cover with fast movement in front of the tank

MombasaLionfish · Mar 27, 2019

Variant said:
Dither fish being any active fish that will encourage other more sensitive fish to come out and eat. For example, chromis are good 'dither' fish.

Oh I thought they were these.

stunreefer · Mar 27, 2019

Tie/tape party streamers (~2-3' long) to the front of an oscillating fan and place in front of the aquarium. Generally within a few days your fish will be out and about consistently.

A step further would be to place a radio in/on the stand and let play while you're away. The random vibrations caused by radio are inline with the vibration caused by our footsteps.