FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have a 70 gal tank with 6 mbuna, 2 elc. b. haps and 2 Marlier's Julis in it. There's some, occasional, squabbling in the tank amongst the Mbuna and the Male Hap joins but everyone seems to be able to defend themselves quite well.(I realize eventually this may be overstocked, they're half grown now and I plan on removing three of the Mbuna sooner rather than later). The water parameters are where they should be.
Here's the strange behavior: Up until a week and a half ago, the fish loved me and I could darn near pet them. (I've had them over a year and a half) They hit my fingers many times while I'm feeding them and weren't afraid of me one tiny bit. That is until I tried to measure one of them. All I did was hold a tape measure up in front of the glass to try and measure one while it was lazily hanging out on the other side of the glass. I didn't even touch the glass but at the sight of the tape measure, the tank went nuts. Everyone was darting around as fast as they could trying to find cover. A coule of them even smashed into the glass in the back corners. Every single fish hid in the rock work, like their most feared ememy had just entered the tank.
Now, whenever I enter the room, instead of comming to the front of the tank and begging to be fed, they hide. After a while they come out and start behaving fairly normally but when I go to feed them, there's no rush to the top of the tank to be the first to eat. (The Julis have always waited for the food that falls to their lower level).
How on earth could a simple tape measure, affect these fish like this? They certainly aren't ready to trust me again, yet, what's this all about? I used to be able to put a finger on the glass and have them follow it around, now they shy back as I approach the tank. They do slowly seem to be gaining more trust in me and I'm hopeing things eventaully return to normal, but...
Anyone have any ideas what this could be all about? Anyone had anything like this happen to them.:%)

O Tempora O Mores

The only thing i can think of is if it was a metal tape then it may have reflected the light from above. it may have looked like a much larger fish swimming by. natural reaction is to hide so they arnt eaten. now its just a waiting game till they decide the "larger fish" hasnt be around in a while and isnt coming back.

Sin,
What you said was pretty much the consensus of a couple of my fishing buddies who were over last night. Like you, they figured it must have looked like something pretty deadly to the fish. They sure reacted as if it was. It was a one inch wide, yellow tape measure, extended to about six inches.
They seem to be getting a little more back to normal each day. I can guarantee that the 'larger fish' won't be comming back anymore. Now, if I could just get the fish to believe that; poor little guys. I think, your right and it will be just a matter of time. Thanks.

O Tempora O Mores

i would just fall back into your routine and let them follow suit. it sounds like you were very social with your fish which is great for cichlids. dont change that even if they are afriad of ya for a while it should help them come out of it faster.