Royal Gramma scared of the noise from my pump?

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I just introduced my first fish into the tank to it's a Royal Gramma. I have had the clean up crew for about 2 weeks now. They Royal Gramma was put into the tank a 4-5 days ago. The fish would not come out of its hiding spot until last night. I turned the pump and wave maker off and put in a little frozen shrimp. The Royal Gramma came out finally and had a couple bites. I left the pump and wave maker off for a half hour after the fish appeared not to be interested in eating anymore. As soon as they came back on on the little guy went back to hiding. This morning I turned off the pump and waver maker to see what would happen. As soon as they went off he came out and explored the tank. I put in some more frozen shrimp, but he didn't seem to be interested. Is he afraid of the noise or vibration from the powered equipment? Is this something that he could overcome? What can I do to make the Rio 1400 quieter? I have a BC29. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[seabass]

It should become less shy over time. Many fish react that way when you turn of your water pumps. However, it doesn't usually have anything to do with vibration or noise.

[mystersyster]

That's how a lot of royal grammas act. Depends on personality. You could get a friend for him if he's a juvenile.

[IBroughtPopcorn]

Thank you seabass and mystersyster. I will see what happens with time. I hope he will come around while the pumps are on. I changed some things today. I put exchange a wave maker that I had for a better one. The new one is much quieter. I also put the hydor flo attachment on my pump return line. I will headed home in a half hour to scope out the scene. I hope little guy is enjoying the pump. I did notice before I left that he changed his hideout to the other side of the tank. Which is nice because I can sort of see him while he is still hiding. I think he is going to come around. Once again, thank you for taking your time to answer my questions, I am sure to salt water veterans, my questions are silly.

[mystersyster]

Your questions aren't silly. Each species act differently. Even different fish in the same species act differently. None of us have had ever fish there is to have, and we all keep learning as well =]

[tetraodon]

royal grammas are pretty skittish at first, also many fish become more active when the pumps are turned off due to being able to swim easier.

[Clown79]

Your question isn't silly at all. Actually, i do believe vibrations affect livestock. Its why they say don't put a tank in a highly active area like hallways.

 

If i walk to quickly/hard near my 10g, my crab gets freaked and scatters. When i close the door on the stand my fish reacts to the vibration.

 

If the fish is skittish, I would imagine vibration could be contributing to its uncertainty in its new environment.

The rio pumps are really loud. I had 1 for 2 days before it went back- the sheer amount of noise and the vibration it caused was too much for me.

[StinkyBunny]

Royal Grammas are quite skittish when first introduced into a tank. As time goes by it'll become more bold. Both of ours took a few weeks to come out regularly.