PlanetCatfish.com

Hi, My Leopard frog plec is very shy! he never comes out. Is there anything I can do to make him less shy?

Thank you
Mark

Possibly - a lot depends on the tank set-up.

Have you any dither fish? ie a small tetra species or similar that make your fish feel more relaxed as it senses things are safe due to the other fishes activity.

Are there plenty of hiding places so it can feel secure if it wants to be, to help it feel comfortable in its environment? It's sort of a reverse strategy - with plenty of caves etc it feels safe but with limited areas of concealment it sticks like glue to the only area of cover there is.

Its only a small 90 litre tank, having a custom built 240litre tank after christmas. I have put a little cave in there for him, but he spend most of his time in the back corner behind a large plant. The tank contains guppies, platties and a small common plec (how is new and a little shy but not as much as the L134)

I can only echo Richards suggestion: More hiding places makes for more visible fish.

--
Mats

L134 is a shy species. Not as shy as Hypancistrus zebra but more so than Queen Arabesque, L260.

Ironically, you may see more of them if they have more hiding places in the form of caves, plants, bog wood and competition.

I kept a group of six in my planted discus tank along with an equal number of L333. I think it helped to have the L333 with them because it made them more competitive for their share of the food but they still would dash for cover at the first awareness of my presence and they remained in the open no longer than absolutely necessary.
They would actively feed on the bottom underneath the Amazon Sword plants and would often rest deep within the rosette center of the sword plant leaves.
L134 is among the most beautiful of the dwarf plecos but not the boldest.

Providing the:

* the fish has been in the tank for a long time;
* is settled in;
* is feeding;
* is kept in appropriately warm water (27C+);

Then the problem is likely to be due to aquascaping not being to its liking.

The best plan would be to post a photo of your tank and we can make some suggestions.

Also, details of your lighting will help.

Your point about the water temperature is interesting. As over the weekend I raised the temperature to 27, as I was told this will help the baby guppies grow. And I have noticed this weekend the L134 is showing herself alot more. And doesn't run for cover when I come over to her.

I've got a Trigon 350 on order, so once this is setup I will post some pictures. Probably take a month or so before I can transfer the fish though.

Would like to get a few more L134.

I wonder whether your guppies will enjoy the 27 degrees, but most certainly you will not turn the temp down - because of the L134

I wouldn't