Question about mix shoals natts&caribe or adding fish to a group.

[Marximus]

So I just started with the hobby and been reading a lot in the forums to be a better keeper for my natts. I’m just wondering is there a timeframe to when ur supposed to introduce additional fish to the group If u decide to? or can u like for example add more fish to a group of natts who grew up together for like a year Wether it is a the same species or not. Ex adding 3 caribe to 3 natts who are grown up. Thanks in advance guys

 

[A&A]

Easy answer would be to introduce them when they are very small and ideally at the same time. Also, may be a bit easier when they are full grown adults. If I have a nice balance and a hierarchy is established in my large red shoal over the first year, then I personally won’t be making any additions. It would be cool to add a Piraya or Caribe but I won’t be taking that chance. However, if I have more losses than I would like in the first year then I may try to add some different Pygos to the shoal to fill it out.

 

[Marximus]

oh ok thank u, I just wanted to see if I should add more now if I want since they’re around 2” than adding during before the first year or late when their full grown. So far no nip fins and chases only last like 2 sec and that’s it but it still too early to know. and will it be bad to add like another fish twice bigger than them In size? Like 1 or 2

 

[A&A]

My instincts tell me that you will experience some trouble adding Caribe that are 2 inches larger to a smaller tank with 3 reds.

 

[Deadeye]

If you’re adding piranhas, get them around the same size as the ones you have, and get more than you want. Chances are a few will be killed.

 

[Somesed]

Also, Caribe are much more aggressive that red bellies. If it were me and I wanted some caribe (which I do!), I would get rid of the reds first. In my experience, eventually the caribe will pick off the reds, one by one, bullying them until they either get killed our you remove them. I have found that piraya and ternetzi do better with caribe than reds.

 

[Marximus]

Also, Caribe are much more aggressive that red bellies. If it were me and I wanted some caribe (which I do!), I would get rid of the reds first. In my experience, eventually the caribe will pick off the reds, one by one, bullying them until they either get killed our you remove them. I have found that piraya and ternetzi do better with caribe than reds.

So far so good on my mix shoal 2 mos now.. so fingers crossed.

 

[dr exum]

So far so good on my mix shoal 2 mos now.. so fingers crossed.

congrats!

pics!

 

[Marximus]

 

[Marximus]

I got vids of them on my youtube——