New fish questions

[Deadeye]

Different ways to tell for different mbuna. Many have color differences between male and female, others look the same and you have to go by the egg spots on the anal fin (males have more spots than females, not always reliable). Typically as long as you have more females than males, breeding happens on its own.
Find a species you like, get a large group, and they will usually figure it out for themselves.
*Labs tend to be harder to sex, at least for me…they all look the same*

 

[Caveden]

Why are spiny eels so aggressive? I used to have 2. I recently just got one more. The dominant eel kept attacking the new one and now the new one is one the verge of death, as shown by the whitish parts on the tail where it got beaten up. (Don’t think it will survive)

 

[duanes]

Similar to cichlids, spiny eels are territorial (some species more than others).
A 6 ft tank might only be large enough for 2.
Trying to keep 2 in any tank smaller that 6 ft, is usually not a great idea.

 

[Caveden]

Similar to cichlids, spiny eels are territorial (some species more than others).
A 6 ft tank might only be large enough for 2.
Trying to keep 2 in any tank smaller that 6 ft, is usually not a great idea.

But aren’t they the smallest eels, spiny banded eel? It’s a 55g

 

[Deadeye]

But aren’t they the smallest eels, spiny banded eel? It’s a 55g

Are you sure it was the other spiny doing it?
I always thought peacock and half banded were more tolerant of others?

 

[duanes]

Territoriality is not always about the size of the fish.
I have watched an adult male JD defend its territory in nature, the equivalent of a 250 gallons in tank area against all other males.
To me a 55 (a small footprint) and is only room enough for 1.

 

[Caveden]

Are you sure it was the other spiny doing it?
I always thought peacock and half banded were more tolerant of others?

Yup. I see the dominant eel constantly chasing and biting the new eel 5 minutes within adding it

 

[Caveden]

What species of goonch is this? How big do they grow in aquariums? Owner just told me “normal goonch” ?

 

[L3CTR0N]

What species of goonch is this? How big do they grow in aquariums? Owner just told me “normal goonch” ?

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My guess would be Bagarius bagarius. Never seen one over 2 feet in captivity but I have heard accounts of them reaching 3-4 feet.

 

[Caveden]

Guy selling marine eels. I notice an albino pleco inside there… plecos can live in saltwater???