hiding places provide or not to provide

[shamsoo]

Hi , yesterday I saw very healthy 10 adult discus in hobbyist show tank, and decided to buy all 10 as future breeders, in tank he have 2 pieces of drift wood, he told me to prepare the tank and provide some hiding places, because when scenario will change fish is going to be scared and can start dashing in the tank, by putting driftwood in my tank will create some similar surroundings and it will help to settle them down, but my thoughts are if fish adopts permanent hiding attitude in new place, only coming out for food then they cannot be good breeders and it will be difficult to break this hiding habbit
So should I put the driftwood or not? Thanks

[korbi_doc]

:bounce2: :bounce2: Hi Shamsoo, I now have 12 fish in a 125g with driftwood, 4 swordplants & a rock & nobody hides. The pr of redSS bred continuously in that tank to freeswimmers, so I moved them out cuz they harrassed the rest so severely, kept them all in the other side. They now have a 65g to themselves with just a heater, sponge filter & large glass bauble to use if they want it, & they don't hide. May eventually put driftwood in there too, but not yet. In my 90g with driftwood & art.plants, there are 7 discus, 6 do not hide, the other is a small cull & he does hide, comes out to feed & play. lol, Dottie ;D ;D

[shamsoo]

thanks Dottie, actually all will stay until they pair off, and pairs will go in their 26g breeding tank :D

[Tristanyyz]

I still think that items in a tank create more of a comfort zone for the discus than a hiding spot...if they are hiding, something is wrong....I have lots of stuff in my tank, and they dont hide

[Shari]

I think so too - I have Discus that just like to 'hang back' and watch from a nice comfy place next to the wood or between plants, but they come out for food or to visit me when I hang out. If anyone else is in battle mode they may 'hide' for a bit from the action, but again - comfort zone!! ;D

[Carol_Roberts]

If they are used to driftwood I'd put some in for a couple of weeks and take it out later

[rickk]

Hi shamsoo.
I'm only new to this hobby but I would like to share my experince so far.
I have been bringing in quite a few new fish in the last 5 months or so and have been pondering the same question.
With a lot of help from people here on the forum and also with breeders here in Oz (Rod Lewis I thank you) each time things are getting better and better.

When I first brought in new fish I would put them in a bare tank and sit there and watch them for hours on end and they would go and hide in a corner and continue to be stressed out. ( lets face it it is a stressfull time for our new found freinds) I would then find that problems would occur and then the medication would come out and put more stress on them.

Recently I brought in another 6 new fish, This time I gave them something that they may hide behind, I also added a small amount of salt to the water and then let them be. I had no light on in the tank and the only time they seen me was when I was feeding the other fish. the very next morning they were out and about darting behind the clay pots I had in the tank for them, I started feeding them that morning only small amounts at first and then increasing their feeds till they had full bellys by that afternoon.

Within three days they were eating from my hands and one week from their arrival I pulled out the clay pots and I have very happy fish. By the way they are only 4 months old.

Something else i noticed is that lighting has a major impact on fish. not only the lights in the tank but the lights in the fish room. If you cast a shadow over the tank when you are near that can spook them as well so for new fish I try and prevent this as well. once they have settled in I use lights on the tank as this seems to stop the shadows from when I walk by and no spooked fish.

I also believe it is most important that new fish are Quarintined from any other fish you may have. I QT for 8 weeks

I hope that my recent experience helps you and I wish all the luck and enjoyment or your new fish

Rick

[shamsoo]

thanks folks, I will put the driftwood in tank IMO it will establish teritory lines also