Pelvicachromis Pulcher - Kribs Always Hiding! Why?

[migdem]

On Wednesday I suppose I got a pair of Kribensis (at least the lfs dealer told me that those i took was a pair) one had pink belly, small and a bit roundish. the other was bigger and longer with no pink belly.

After almost 1 day they are seperated each one have their own hiding spot but never near each other. I rarely see them. I tried giving them some Tetra Granules but they do not go out to eat. The hiding spots consists of driftwood with moss attached to them. Tank has been running for around 9 months. Tank mates are few pygmy corydoras, cherry shrimps, amano shrimps and 3 nerite snails.

Also sometimes i see them chasing the pygmy corydoras.

What could be the problem? What food should i offer maybe they get out?

The problem is that with flake or granules it is difficult to put the food near their cave. What do you think if i buy some frozen bloodworms and try giving them near their cave? the most thing that i am afraid is that they are not eating and will die from hunger. Will this be possible?

also do you think that if i add 6 harlequins in the 60 litre tank that the kribs are hosted would be too much?

Thanks

[Mike Wise]

I think you need to be more patient. Once they become more familiar with their new home, they will be out and about more. Kribs are not fussy eaters. Good quality flake/pellet foods with a good amount of vegetables is a good basic diet. Supplement it with some frozen/live foods and they should be fine. Don't worry about trying to put food near their hiding places. Put it out front. That will encourage them to come out to eat in the open. Chasing the corys is a good indication that they are acclimating well, so don't worry unless the corys get damaged.