[shiraoknin]

alright so i purchased a 5 gallon plastic tank with a heater, filter, and cover. after decorating it with sand, plastic plants, and a cute ornament i left the tank to cycle for about 3 weeks. when i brought the water in to petco the finally told me it was safe to pick out a fish!! i carefully chose the healthiest, most vibrant fish i could find. Once i got home i floated the fish in the tank for at least a half hour (slowly pouring a spoonful of water in every once in a while). Immediately after he was released into the tank he flipped out and hid under the filter behind the plastic plant. I just figured he was shy and needed time to adjust so i left him for like 8 hours. When i got home he was doing something that looked like a handstand?!?!?! is this normal? and he won't eat its ben two days since i brought him home and i feel like he just isn't happy :-( how do i make him happy again?

 

[Bikeridinguckgirl14]

Just because Petko tells you the water is safe for fish doesn't mean it actually is, they think that 2.0ppm ammonia is safe so you may want to get actual numbers or else test it yourself somehow, it may be that he dislikes the filter

 

[shiraoknin]

i have a liquid water testing kit at home and everything seems perfect
Ammonia, nitrates and nitrites are all zero and the Ph is 7

 

[fidget]

A lot of times, they'll hide and will eat very little or nothing for a week or more. Give him time. If you really want to make friends, get some frozen (not freeze dried) bloodworms. He'll be your best friend after that.