TFA101

Have you gotten him to eat yet?

Red1313

he's eating a bit (provided he can't see me while he's doing it).

TFA101

maybe try some positive reinforcements with him? everytime you pass by the tank, drop in his favorite treat.

joy1125

Hi Red, I think Charlie will be less shy once you add a friend or two to his tank.

When I had my first oranda all by himself, he did the same exact thing. He'd hide whenever he saw me approach, and seemed downright afraid of me. I remember having to sneak into the room in order to observe him, just to make sure that he was swimming around (which he was). He just wouldn't do anything but hide when he saw me !

So I went out and got two friends for him, quarantined them for 3 weeks, and once I added them, he became a totally different fish. And it happened almost immediately.
After a day or two of very minor aggression (it was HIS tank afterall..) he bonded with his new friends and began mimicking what they did, and began interacting with me as well !! I guess he felt less "exposed" in his group of 3.

It's now 3 or 4 months later, and they all are great friends, and all of them practically eat out of my hand.

So have fun picking out your new purchase(s) ! I know the quarantine period seems like forever..... but it'll go quick, and "shy Charlie" will be just a funny memory !

Red1313

Hi everyone just thought I'd give you an update.
Charlie is doing MUCH better now. I think the combination of cycled tank and frozen bloods worms every couple of days is what did the trick. He's now out and about and he's even almost back to hand feeding again. Some of the black around his gills looks like it's fading as well. One thing that seems to have helped however is the addition of some floating "cover". When I cut down the lilys in the ten gal last night I grabbed all the big floating leaves and threw them in his tank, mostly curious to see if he was going to nibble on them or not. It doesn't look like he's touched them but he's less flighty today. I may have to look into some duck-weed or water lettuce. Right now the only "lid" on the tank is the light strip so there might be some room for the water lettuce.
Anyway thanks for your support everyone.

bolivianbaby

I'm so glad he's doing better

Tony G.

yay!

shellbell4ever

That's wonderful news

iloveengl

oh that's so great to hear! You and Charlie put up a great fight! lol I actually teared up when I read that he was better.

Red1313

<HUGS> Thanks everyone
Charlie says thank-you for the support as well .

Shawnie

Way To Go Charlie!!!!!!!!