What is it that makes fish scared?

[Cory]

What size tanks do you guys got that dont have fish who are scared?

 

[Bpb]

I've had most of my fish for 3-5 years. It's been a while since a newcomer was added. They're all still terrified any time anyone so much as approaches the glass and will ALL disappear into the rocks and the tank looks fishless until you step away and they slowly come back out. Fwiw I've only ever netted any of them one single time ever. When it was tank change time. I can't imagine how they don't see me as their food source now and not a threat. Even the fish in my freshwater planted tank act like starved puppies and are all flocked to wherever I'm standing when I approach the glass in hopes of food. If they see the actual jar of frozen food, they go berserk and practically come out of the tank. The reef fish won't even feed if I'm within 6 feet of the tank. Been this way for years

 

[Tateopotatoe]

Tokey geckos are some mean jerks.
My fish are comfortable with me ive had most of them over a decade. When im in my bright green work shirt they all group together and stalk me on the end i put the food in

Veiled chameleons are also really mean.

 

[Cory]

So the bully in the tank died and the fish still remained scared. He died from the move to the new house.

It wasnt until i moved the tank to the basment when the fish were not scared anymore. The differences are:

1) the temperature of the tank whent from 84-86f to 76-80f.

2) the hardwood floors upstairs made a lot of vibrations. In the basment there are none, due to a cement floor.

3) there is significantly less light from outside downstairs.

4) i removed all of my rocks that were man made ceramic or something and just kept the live rock.

Id suspect that temp and vibration are the main causes of these chromis not being scared anymore. Any thoughts?

 

[Triggreef]

Just time and frequency of visiting the tank. And more often feedings. Backing far away from tank after feeding does not help. But over time even one that will only eat if your of of the room, will eventually come around.

 

[WesF]

Just time and frequency of visiting the tank. And more often feedings. Backing far away from tank after feeding does not help. But over time even one that will only eat if your of of the room, will eventually come around.

This. My fish all swim up to the glass when I approach the tank. They associate me with food I guess.

 

[Triggreef]

Once they look at you as a food source it's almost like begging dogs. It gets a bit annoying. I like to watch them swim around hunting and picking at rocks and that no longer happens until they are sure i have no food or i back up very far away.

My beggars...

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Once they look at you as a food source it's almost like begging dogs. It gets a bit annoying. I like to watch them swim around hunting and picking at rocks and that no longer happens until they are sure i have no food or i back up very far away.

My beggars...

That's totally gorgeous. I wish my tank looked like that :( I lost my powder blue in quarantine last week along with an awesome metallic green hammer :( it's been a tough week...I hope someday my tank looks like yours! :)

 

[knukles55]

Me walking across the room naked all my fish hide