why are my new fish hiding at the bottom of the tank?

you did let them sit in the bag at the top of the water before you put them in, right? if so, then they are just getting used to the new surroundings. they are also trying to get their body temps matched up with the water temp. don't worry, they'll be fine.

it's a possibility that it's stress from the new environment or pH shock. Try adding Aquarium salt, a tablespoon per five gallons, and some stress coat. If you try to change the pH now, it will just stress out the fish more. Just do what you can to make them comfortable and they should come out of it soon. Don't feed them again until they start to act a little more normally, or within 24 hours, whatever comes first.

I doubt which you're seeing a transexual fish. except that distinctive fish has had fry in the past, you maximum possibly observed a "previous due bloomer"-- a male who took longer to strengthen the stunning tail Swordtails are named for. The "transexual" is hiding simply by aggression triggered by utilising a million. too many fish, and 2. given which you at the instant have an imbalance on your male:lady ratio. in case you replace the "transexual" with a "actual" lady, you'll be ok. besides the undeniable fact that, i might recommend which you, fairly, replace the Swordtails (that can attain approximately 4 inches each) with Platties, which seem comparable, yet stay nearer to 2.5 inches.

If the water wasn't room temperature when you put them in, they might have suffered from some coldwater shock. Our fish recovered from this eventually.

Otherwise, it could be that your water has too much chlorine or ammonia in it. You can buy some solution to dechlorinate the tank at your local pet store. The fish usually get used to the water after it circulates and come back up to the top.

This is okay, all of my 63 fish have done that, and not a single one has stayed that way (unless of course the fish is a bottom feeder). They are just getting used to the new tank. Don't worry

I dont know if you allowed the fish to adjust to their new water or if you just added them to the water straight from the tap, but they need time to adjust and you should mix some the water you bought them with to your new water and allow it to stand for a day or so. You can buy some conditioning liquid from the pet store which you add to the new water that provides protection and causes the harmful chlorine and other ions to be diminished. They will feel strange in a new environment until they adjust to it.

Let them get used to the tank before feeding them. We all need to adjust to a new place. My suggestion would be to test the water. If you dont have testing equipment you can take a sample of the aquarium water, about half a cup in a covered container, to your pet store and they will test it, usually for free.

they have to become integrated with the social order of the tank. This can take a while.

Kinda like, going to a new school: you'd probably be a little shy at first.

Give them a day or two, they are just getting used to their new home. Most fish are like this.

All new fish do this. Wait a day or two and they should be out and about swimming normally.