Got my first fish!

[cba191]

And now for the problem. I got 2 zebra dartfish yesterday. My question is this. If there is a hole in the rock work and he can get in, can i assume he can get out?

The one that's only a little skittish.

 

[Anna K]

Yes, I'd assume he'd be able to get out.

 

[stE25wy14]

yes
most likely yes, there are some rare times where fish will get stuck, but they have to swim full force

 

[AlyciaMarie]

Beautiful fish! Congrats!

As others have said, I would think yes, he should be able to get out!

 

[malacoda]

Yeah, should be fine. They typically know where they can and can't go.

The only time a fish might get stuck is if it's in a real desperate panic and looking any hole it can find, fast. (i.e. another fish is severely bullying and chasing it. (Sadly, I lost a rhomboid wrasse this way.))

 

[cba191]

At what point do I start worrying?

 

[UncommonSense]

At what point do I start worrying?

Give it a day; acclimation takes time!

 

[Uncle99]

When he gets stuck….head first in a hole for more than 1 day.

That’s either chased, bullied or an unhealthy fish.

 

[cba191]

When he gets stuck….head first in a hole for more than 1 day.

That’s either chased, bullied or an unhealthy fish.

I only have the 2 fish. they're both zebra dartfish

 

[Uncle99]

I only have the 2 fish. they're both zebra dartfish

Are you worried they might get stuck, or is one stuck now?

I don’t see the stuck fish in the pic?

They love lots of rock and corals in at least 30g, then they feel “safe” so the more holes the better.

Let’s see if they pair up….

 

[cba191]

I only have the 2 fish. they're both zebra dartfish

Are you worried they might get stuck, or is one stuck now?

I don’t see the stuck fish in the pic?

They love lots of rock and corals in at least 30g, then they feel “safe” so the more holes the better.

Let’s see if they pair up….

That's the hole in question. It's not big, but he's all the way in there.

 

[Uncle99]

retreating to a hole or crevice is this fish’s expertise and will do that for safety or to feel safe when newly introduced.

I have no concern at all.

If they are hovering just above the substrate, that’s normal as well.

Give a week to settle into their new home

 

[cba191]

retreating to a hole or crevice is this fish’s expertise and will do that for safety or to feel safe when newly introduced.

I have no concern at all.

If they are hovering just above the substrate, that’s normal as well.

Give a week to settle into their new home

I have to admit it is making me a little nervous. the other one appears to be doing great!

 

[bluemon]

I have to admit it is making me a little nervous. the other one appears to be doing great!

Just give the fish a little bit more credit!

They are smart enough to not go into a hole and not be able to figure a way out.

 

[cba191]

Just give the fish a little bit more credit!

They are smart enough to not go into a hole and not be able to figure a way out.

so they're smarter than a large percentage of the population?

 

[twentyleagues]

A lot of what people are saying is true. These fish tend to be skittish though and it could have freaked out as if its life was in danger just from you being to close at first. You are right to be somewhat worried. I am not trying to scare you or add to your worry its just a simple fact. Can you see the fish in the hole? Is it facing out of the hole or do you see its tail. Dartfish well...... dart typically up or down if up it could be out of the water and into the overflow or on the floor (ask me how I know), or best case usually is down into the rocks a cave they have picked out or anywhere they can fit and feel safe. As they get acclimated they usually become more bold and do less darting but still can unexpectedly. I have been trying to get a group of scissortail darts and they either are not healthy when they come in or have darted to their doom. I have two left currently from the 8 I have purchased they will take flake food from my hand they are so bold, they come out if they are in their cave when I approach the tank, but they will sometimes still dart if they are spooked by one of the other fish or I do something to spook them by accident. If its still in the rock in a day and you have not seen it out there is an issue, these types are social and enjoy others of their kind so the other being out and about should draw the other one out if its able and healthy. I dont know what you could do to get it out without hurting it so its a tough situation.

 

[cba191]

The one swims around but is still skittish when i approach. The one in the hole has noved around in the hole. I think he may have poked his head out for a second but went back in before i could make sure.

 

[cba191]

They're both out and swimming around together!

How long before they start eating?

 

[twentyleagues]

They're both out and swimming around together!

How long before they start eating?

What are you feeding them?
Mine will eat almost anything I toss in now, but typically they snatch small meaty things in the water column. Mysis and enriched brine shrimp are good first choices frozen of course, they also like arctipods from reef nutrition. I have had quite a few different firefish/dartfish over the years frozen meaty items always seem the best at least at first. Pellets seem to be a learned thing for them to eat if at all. I also feed a mix of brine shrimp flakes and formula 2 flakes that they gobble up.

 

[cba191]

I have hikari marine s pellets and this stuff. They havent eaten that i can tell.

I have no idea what I'm doing.