shy 6 line?

justme97 · 02/17/2009, 03:04 PM

Hey, is it typical for 6 line wrasses to be shy? I've seen them at the lfs and they always seem very active and out going...in and out of the rocks, up and down the front of the tank looking like they are begging for food.
But the one I happend to get seems terrified of me....if I'm anywhere near the tank he cowers in the rocks...even at feeding time. Does he need more time to acclimate maybe? I've had him for about a month now...it's unfortunate, he's so nice looking but I never get to see him!

Lol, is it possible he had a rough childhood??

stlrams88 · 02/17/2009, 03:16 PM

same thing happened w/ my first 6 line, the one i have now is all over the place.

justme97 · 02/17/2009, 04:14 PM

How long did you have your first one? His personality never changed?

L98-Z · 02/17/2009, 04:21 PM

Mine was like that for 2 months or so. He still isn't the fish that comes running out when it's feeding time. He is very active swimming through the rocks though.

sikpupy · 02/17/2009, 04:22 PM

There like kids. You have to give them time and some love. I always try to be active in front of the tank, but make sure I am not crowding the tank. I also do things like play in the tank away from the fish and such. That seems to help them get used to me. Most of them will come to the window if I go to it now and call them stick my finger up to the glass. I know they can not hear me but they see the gestures. My Blenny, clown, psudo and newly aquired yellow goby come over to me to see whats up, and thats AFTER there fed. Even by blue damsel will get in my way when I am in there cleaning the tank or sticking a frag in, he swims around my arm.

Just dont try to do anything directly with him or disturb where ever he is hiding. Give him space and drop a pellet in front of him every now and then. He will eventually come around. He may not show boat like mine, but, he might start swimming around more.

How many other fish you have in there?

justme97 · 02/17/2009, 04:32 PM

Just three, two chromises and an ocilaris clown. It's a 29g tank so I think the 6-line will be the last finned addition..that's why I'm hoping he'd start to get more excitable!

If it makes a differnce the tank i got him from was not very comfortable looking. No rocks or anywhere for him to hide and a bunch of tangs and other large fish crammed in there with him. I could tell it was freaking him out but figured he would relax when I got him home...

reefscape15 · 02/17/2009, 04:45 PM

Agreed with everybody else. Just give him time and he will come around. I had one a few years ago and it had to be one of my all time favorite fish to keep. I loved watching him zip in and out of the rocks

stagcrazy · 02/17/2009, 06:37 PM

just give him time u will soon learn to hate him.why i say this the 2 i have ever kept were nice and shy at the begining minding there own buisness but once used to the tank they terrorized all the fish in the tank including my purple tang and my large sebae clown, goodluck though beacuse they are very preety fish.

02/17/2009, 03:04 PM	#1
justme97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milford, CT Posts: 58	shy 6 line? Hey, is it typical for 6 line wrasses to be shy? I've seen them at the lfs and they always seem very active and out going...in and out of the rocks, up and down the front of the tank looking like they are begging for food. But the one I happend to get seems terrified of me....if I'm anywhere near the tank he cowers in the rocks...even at feeding time. Does he need more time to acclimate maybe? I've had him for about a month now...it's unfortunate, he's so nice looking but I never get to see him! Lol, is it possible he had a rough childhood??

02/17/2009, 04:45 PM	#7
reefscape15 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Elmira Heights, NY Posts: 2,812	Agreed with everybody else. Just give him time and he will come around. I had one a few years ago and it had to be one of my all time favorite fish to keep. I loved watching him zip in and out of the rocks __________________ A new beginning........... JIM Current Tank Info: 5g standard softie/zoa tank, just starting a 20H

02/17/2009, 03:16 PM	#2
stlrams88 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newport News, Virginia Posts: 577	same thing happened w/ my first 6 line, the one i have now is all over the place.

02/17/2009, 04:14 PM	#3
justme97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milford, CT Posts: 58	How long did you have your first one? His personality never changed?

02/17/2009, 04:21 PM	#4
L98-Z Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Warner Robins, Georgia Posts: 1,230	Mine was like that for 2 months or so. He still isn't the fish that comes running out when it's feeding time. He is very active swimming through the rocks though.

02/17/2009, 04:22 PM	#5
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	There like kids. You have to give them time and some love. I always try to be active in front of the tank, but make sure I am not crowding the tank. I also do things like play in the tank away from the fish and such. That seems to help them get used to me. Most of them will come to the window if I go to it now and call them stick my finger up to the glass. I know they can not hear me but they see the gestures. My Blenny, clown, psudo and newly aquired yellow goby come over to me to see whats up, and thats AFTER there fed. Even by blue damsel will get in my way when I am in there cleaning the tank or sticking a frag in, he swims around my arm. Just dont try to do anything directly with him or disturb where ever he is hiding. Give him space and drop a pellet in front of him every now and then. He will eventually come around. He may not show boat like mine, but, he might start swimming around more. How many other fish you have in there?

02/17/2009, 04:32 PM	#6
justme97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milford, CT Posts: 58	Just three, two chromises and an ocilaris clown. It's a 29g tank so I think the 6-line will be the last finned addition..that's why I'm hoping he'd start to get more excitable! If it makes a differnce the tank i got him from was not very comfortable looking. No rocks or anywhere for him to hide and a bunch of tangs and other large fish crammed in there with him. I could tell it was freaking him out but figured he would relax when I got him home...

02/17/2009, 06:37 PM	#8
stagcrazy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: hialeah Posts: 1,493	just give him time u will soon learn to hate him.why i say this the 2 i have ever kept were nice and shy at the begining minding there own buisness but once used to the tank they terrorized all the fish in the tank including my purple tang and my large sebae clown, goodluck though beacuse they are very preety fish.