Just shy or dead? (Swalesi Basslet)

[landlord]

Hey there,

Added this bad boy last Friday. Was a very healthy looking fish at the time of addition. Haven't seen hide nor hair of him. Anybody else had these guys hide out for an extended period of time only to re-emerge later on down the road. I've kind of lost hope but maybe someone else can reignite my spark

:) Thanks for looking Kurt

[coralite]

The swalesi basselt is about as shy a fish as you could possibly get. Even once they are acclimated to the tank they will always stay within the refuge of caves and overhangs, rarely will they venture out into the open.

[landlord]

That's good to know. At least there is some hope. When introduced the fish made a "B" line into the depths of the liverock. I would have hoped to catch a glimpse of it from time to time but so far no such luck

:) My faith is restored, thanks coralite!

[coralite]

Some fish are so cryptic that you may rarely ever see them. A friend of mine saw his golden angel about once a year until we took a bunch of rock out of his tank. Your swalesi basslet may be very reclusive for two weeks to a month before he starts to get brave. Make sure to check your overflow box too just in case he ends up in there.

[landlord]

10-4 thanks again!

[pecaco34]

I had one for a couple years in a nano and i never saw the thing. The only time i would see it was feeding time when it came out grabbed a few pieces and retreated back into the rockwork.

[snorvich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15097198#post15097198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralite
The swalesi basselt is about as shy a fish as you could possibly get. Even once they are acclimated to the tank they will always stay within the refuge of caves and overhangs, rarely will they venture out into the open.

I agree. They are cryptic for sure.

[Grunt]

Can try looking at night, might have a better chance at getting a glimpse.

[landlord]

My wife thinks next time I ought to just wad up 75 bucks in a ball and hide it in the rock. At least I'll know where I hid it if I want to see it!

Thanks for sharing here guys. I appreciate it.

Kurt

[landlord]

UPDATE

Just saw this sucker come out of some hidden cave into the back section of the tank. I was sure he was dead like 30 days ago.

Talk about cryptic....

Not a great choice for a tank with lots of hiding spots for sure

:) at least he's alive

landlord

[snorvich]

They eventually loosen up a bit and will be more visible. But still, a VERY cryptic fish.

[BangkokMatt]

Any pics? lol

[Tangalong]

I wish my husband had your wife's sense of humor...lol

[landlord]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15316110#post15316110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BangkokMatt
Any pics? lol

:lol:

[tewkes]

Well I think I'll scratch that of my fish list. I like buying fish I can actually view.
I bought a swallowtail angel last week and it hid in the rocks for 3-4 days but now its finally coming out.

[landlord]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15316878#post15316878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tewkes
Well I think I'll scratch that of my fish list. I like buying fish I can actually view.
I bought a swallowtail angel last week and it hid in the rocks for 3-4 days but now its finally coming out.

;)

Kind of neat when you do catch a glimpse though.....

Keeps things interesting. Like my cucumber I never see or my money cowries, very cool when they show their faces.

[BrianD]

I have a mandarin in my tank that I am lucky if I see once every 3 months.

[Tangalong]

I purchased a Blood Red Fire Shrimp, knowing it was reclusive, but they are so beautiful and I thought (HA) surely I would see him once in a while. Well, this AM at 3:00 I did with my red light...on the room side of the tank, eating and was he ever surprised to see me.. He was such a wonderful color regardless of the light. It had been almost 3 weeks since he was seen. Well worth it...not big money fish but great to watch.