How to get Raphaels out of hiding? Removing tank furniture!

Elspeth · Post by **Elspeth** » 21 Mar 2005, 04:59

I am going to remove some tall ornaments from my main tank to give growing fish more open swimming room, and replace them with some bottom rubble e.g. pipes and such for hiding places. This tank has three striped raphaels.

I don't know which furniture they're using for hidey-holes, but I do know that these fish will wedge themselves in and stay put when their hiding place is taken out of the water. How can I make the furniture I'm removing unattractive to them, or get them to vacate?

PlecoCrazy · Post by **PlecoCrazy** » 21 Mar 2005, 05:08

That is just part of their nature. I know where your coming from but unfortunately I have never seen one that was very active during the daytime or didn't hide all of the time. They especially like to hang out right next to each other. The only time I would see mine was during feeding which I could get them to come out during the day for some food but then they would quickly retreat away. At night you can see them all over but not very clearly. Just my experience.

Elspeth · Post by **Elspeth** » 21 Mar 2005, 05:23

Oopsie, I changed the subject line to be a little clearer! I see them from time to time, not very often, and I'm fine with that. Makes it a real treat when I do spot them.

Except when I'm trying to remove tank ornaments. Tried to remove one and it had been claimed. Fish scuttled into the ornament itself (a tall, narrow, kind of convoluted fake rock formation), wedged in out of my reach, and wouldn't leave. I tried lifting the ornament out of the water and waiting a few minutes, my loaches have done the same trick but will let go and come out to get back underwater. Raphael is willing to stay put, high and dry, for longer than I am comfortable with.

I'm wanting to remove two tall, narrow, convoluted ornaments, and I need to figure out how not to remove one or more raphaels with them...

Post by **Silurus** » 21 Mar 2005, 11:02

Try doing this with the lights out. The raphaels will be swimming about and you might be able to get the ornaments out before they wedge themselves into it.