Mischiveous Platydoras Costatus

[SOBERKITTY]

Hey guys my

Platydoras costatus

has decided to play hide and seek. He went up into some fake ceramic driftwood that is hollow and has an opening in the bottom. How long do you think till I should make sure he's okay? And then how to get him out?

[Richard B]

I remember when i worked in a lfs - we found one in a hollow ceramic log that we didn't know was there in a tank where they hadn't been kept for over 4 months! He was a hell of a lot bigger though!

If he can get in he can get out of his own accord - he's only doing what comes naturally after all - personally i wouldn't be concerned by this at all

[SOBERKITTY]

Well eventualy he has to come out, cause the fake stuff is going and getting replaced by real stuff so my Java fern has something to grow on that is more suitable for it then gravel.

[Richard B]

Will the java fern not grow on the ceramic log anyway? I do think the real stuff is better though.

To get him/her out if it's being awkward, lift the ornament half way out of the water, often they'll feel a bit put out & leave to go back to the bottom to find better accommodation!

[SOBERKITTY]

I've been checking on him/her at night,and it is venturing out to find food in the evenings. So I will just make sure the ornament is elevated off the gravel enough to allow him/her access in and out. It seems a bit happier so I won't mess w/ a good thing till I have to when I replace it w/ real wood.

[Richard B]

Sounds like a sensible plan!

I could do with a bit of that sometimes....

[Alan]

I can easily go for 3 months without seeing any sign of mine. I usually have to sneak down in the night with a torch to catch glimpses. When I moved tanks last year I found it firmly wedged in a gap in some bogwood, and wouldn't let go when I took it out of the water. I lost my nerve first, and put the whole thing back in the water!

[SOBERKITTY]

Mine is a bit more social then others i've read about. But I think that is b/c he has several different hiding spots and feels comfortable enough to venture out during day hours.