shy fish

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have swordtails, and loaches in my 15 galloon tank. I have a few plants and several rocks. I don't understand why my fish seem so scared. when i walk by the tank, they all hide behind the rocks. my boyfriend's fish are totally opposite (then again they don't have ne hiding spots ie rocks) they are always at the front glass swimming up n down for him.   When i feed mine, they are even hesistant to swim up and grab then food. They dart up quickly. I was wondering what I can do to cure them from their shyness?? Take away all the rocks, mayb leave one?? Please get back to me. Thank you.

ANSWER: Well, how long have you had them? If not long you will just need to let them get use to you. Dont take away the hiding places, as these provide stress relief which if taken away can cause disease or parasites. There is not certain time it takes for the fish to get use to you but you can try to have them look for you. I have a saltwater tank as well as freshwater and in the salt I have a cleaner shrimp who is SUPER shy but after a few weeks he comes to my arm and tries to clean me! You just need to let the fish know that YOU feed them and when you come FOOD is coming. However, be careful not to overfeed cause this will cause bad water conditions. Feed a tiny bit, enough for the fish to eat fast, twice a day. When you feed them, walk slowly to the tank and slowly put the food in not making sudden moves or jerks. Than while the fish are eating watch them and dont leave until they finish, in fact stay a few mins after the finish to just watch them. This is enjoyable for you but also helps the fish get use to you being there. Do this for a while and give it time. Soon enough the fish associate you with their feeding and look forward to you entering the room. However, dont feed them when you always come in the room. Sometimes once they are use to you every time you come in the room they will dart around almost saying FEED ME, FEED ME, but if you fall into this trap the water and overall quality of the tank will be terribly bad and in turn  the fish will eventually get diseases and parasites. Let me know if you need more help!

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QUESTION: thank you for your quick response. Okay I will try doin that....I have had like two of my fish i'd say for like a month, and a few others I jus got like couple weeks ago. I have a few loaches, few sword tails and a lil school of carindal tetras. I was wondering also, how many times is it good to feed them. My dad said to feed them every other day...but you jus said twice a day....so i'm not too sure...right now i feed them about twice to three times a day. thank you for your help.

S
ANSWER: While I can see the reason you Father said to feed them every other day I would advice feeding them at least daily. For now, I suppose you should just feed them once a day and let them get used to you. Even when you dont feed them, its not a bad idea for you too just sit close to the tank and watch them for them to get use to you. The reason I imagine your Father said to feed every other day would probably be to avoid overfeeding, a very good idea. However, just give a tiny bit once a day for now and that should avoid any problems. If you overfeed them the water will become cloudy and the ammomia will rise which will kill the fish if it gets too bad. Just feed them a pinch, just enough for everyone to get something but not too much where alot of it gets to the bottom before the fish get it. Have fun getting the fish to become your friend! Let me know if you need more help.

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QUESTION: I also noticed that one of my loaches has jus been under his rock for a while. I feel like he is sick or something cause he is not as active as he usually is. I also noticed today that were is a white spot on the tip of his nose/end. or that his mouth is open and he won't put his tongue back in....I'm not too sure what it can be! Please get back to me.
Thank you
S
ANSWER: It could be a fungus if it is obviously not part of him and is white and fuzzy or just fuzzy. Also, If he has just been acting like this for a short while chances are he may just be resting. However keep a close eye on him to make sure he doesnt develop symptoms further. Is he eating? If so thats a good sign. If not, it may be a sign or diesease or parasite. just keep a close eye on him. Let me know if you need help.

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QUESTION: Hello,
ok, I think that his tongue is back in his mouth. All he keeps doin is layin down. He's kinda in the corner now, and has not eatin for two days. I don't know what to do, or how to help him:( i don't want ne thing to happen to him. I checked his body and there is no spots or anything on him. If anythin he looks a little pale. Please help me out! Thank you very much for your help.
Sincerely,
S
ANSWER: Considering he is pale and has not eaten he could have an internal parasite. If possible, you should seperate him and treat him to be safe. Normally I would not advise treating unless you knew the fish had a disease or parasite, but with internal problems you cant see them so its harder to tell. The fact that he has not eaten and is pale leads me to believe he has something. You could treat him in the same tank as the other fish but you would be risking the other fish by introducing extra stress to them, but it can be done. Just get an all-in-one internal and external treatment and follow the directions exactly, including the dose and water changes required. Let me know if you need more assitance.

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QUESTION: ok, well he died. I woke up today and he was dead :( :( :(
so thank you for your response but he is no longer with me.  On a lighter note, my swordtail had babies i only found two in the tank so i put them in a smaller 2.5 gallon tank alone. I was wondering how should i care for them and how long do you think until i can put them in the other tank. Thank you for trying to help about my loach. he is in pet heaven now.
Sincerely,
S

Answer
Sorry it did not work out, sometimes there is nothing we can do and nature has to take its course. Awesome you have babies and good idea to switch them to a different tank cause the parent would have eaten them if left with them. Just keep the water conditions as the normal tank and buy food for baby fish. They have paste and tiny food made specially for baby fish. Get this to make sure they eat well and from then just maintain the tank. Soon, you will find yourself with cute teenager swordtails! I hope they make it! Enjoy you tank! Let me know if there are any more questions or comments.