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Fish/cichlid behavior

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Expert: Ron Coleman - 11/3/2009


Question
I have a newly established 60 gallon tank with 5 zebra danios and 2 blood red parrots.  I just bought my blood parrot 3 days ago and it seems like they hide more often than swim around the tank.  The only time i see them venture out is when i feed them.  And whenever I get close to the tank they started hiding again.  I know they are very shy but how long does it take for them to start getting comfortable?  Are the Zebra Danios making them stress out?  I also noticed that the bigger blood parrot tends to dominate the little one.  Is that normal? I'm beginning to think i got a sick fish.  Don't know what their sex is.

Answer
Hi Cathy,
 The behavior you are seeing is perfectly normal. Give them time. It will likely take them several weeks to feel comfortable in their new home.  The zebra danios will not stress them.  In fact, ultimately they will eat the zebra danios most likely.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>

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Ron Coleman

Expertise

I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish). Please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. I keep fishes both as a scientist and as a hobbyist and I currently maintain about 140 aquariums.

Experience

I am an Associate Professor at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I was editor of Cichlid News magazine for several years. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.

Publications
Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes

Education/Credentials
PhD (Toronto, 1993) MSc (Simon Fraser, 1986) BSc (British Columbia, 1983)

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