my kissing fish wont move!

Question
well i have to kissing fish ones a girl and the other a boy! the girl[alie] will not move my mom said she hasn't adapted yet but i think its something else ive had her for about a week and she will not eat or move from behing the filter! the water temp. is fine everythings great the boy noha has adapted well [perfectly]:] but alie:[ hasnt!please tell me why shes sick!

Answer
Hi Haley,
She definitely sounds scared/stressed. When fish hide behind something like a filter and won't eat they are either sick or scared of something. It may be the new tank or the boy kissing fish might be intimidating to her. Seems like when keeping a few kissing together they often will fight or the more dominant will chase the other around, the boy may do this when you aren't around to see. They are simply territorial. And since all fish are individuals, Alie might be a more timid fish in her personality. She may even need to be the only kissing fish in the tank, but with some community fish swimming around to give her comfort in knowing that the environment is safe. With a case like this, you may have to do some experimenting with her. First and foremost, however, is check your water quality just in case. Is there any way you can test your tank water for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates? If you don't have test kits at home (which is really best) you can bring a sample to your petstore and have them test it. Try to make sure you get the exact readings and not just a simple "Everything's fine" answer. ;-)

Even if the test results come out good- Ammonia-0 Nitrites-0 Nitrates- 20 or less. I'd still do a 30% water change just in case. Always make sure when doing a partial water change to make sure the temp between the replacement water is the same or just a bit warmer and the water is treated with a water conditioner.

Try offering more hiding places in the form of plants and caves. Maybe she feels vulnerable and if you had more hiding places for her she would come out and about more.

If that doesn't help, you could try placing some more fish in the tank such as some bold swimming fish like barbs, danios, or black skirt tetras, or perhaps even several livebearers like platies. They would make the tank feel more at ease for her than just the one other kissing fish swimming around.

If Alie still hides, she may be sick. Keep checking her closely all over for any changes in skin color, white patches, white spots (look like grains of salt), red areas, rotted fins.. ect...

I hope we can make your little kissing fish happy!
Karen~