3" delhezi a danger to my smaller fish?

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Longimanus

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 19, 2009
405
19
48
BC, Canada
I have 2 3" delhezi on hold for me, but I'm concerned about how they will treat their smaller tankmates. I have a few clown loaches that are only about 1.5" right now, and 11 neon tetras. Will these guys all become snacks? I'm most worried about the clowns. Tank is a 37 gallon.

They won't be in with the neons for more than a few weeks, but I planned for them to live in a 90 with my 9 clown loaches, but like I said, some of them are pretty small.
 
They will eat the neons while they are still small 3 inchers? How fast do the bichirs grow compared to the clown loaches?
 
how long are the dels going to be in the 37 gallon? Also are you planning a bigger tank for the clowns?

Compatibility, the reality
When asked "will they get along ?" Sometimes the answer is as simple as yes or no, The truth is we speak in generalities some fish in theory should be ok together some not.The long broad sweeping statements are flawed as they are generalities I think we all know generalities are just opinions , but because we are dealing with animals each with its own personality its flawed.This question is harder with predatory fish, due to their natural habits ,predation! where they naturaly feed on the smaller , the weaker and the sick, claim territory and defend it . The actual answer is we don't know it's our best guess that they should or shouldn't get along.I know one of my bichirs is highly agressive which is completely different from what i have been told, so he's in his own tank , my others all conspecifics seem fine together which is oppisite from what i have read and been told. Its a case of trial and error to some extent and depends on the individual animal. When introducing a new animal into the territory of an established animal try rearanging the tank it tends to remove reference points for territoriality but most important watch for trouble and stop it before it goes to far.
 
Not more than a few weeks, a month at the longest. I just got a 90 gallon and we are going to re-silicone it, then it has to be set up and cycled.

All the loaches will go in the 90 with the bichirs and some others. The largest loaches are only around 2.5-3" so they will be good in the 90 for some time.
 
The tetras will be eaten, the clowns will probably be okay though.
 
Yeah I had a 3 inch sens that ate a few neons when I first got him. They were so big they caused him to float for 2-3 days until he digested them. :eek:
 
lol! The neons will be rehomed in my sisters community tank before the bichirs come. I would feel bad if they all got eaten!

Would a larger 6 inch senegal eat the small clown loaches? Or the 3" delhezi?
 
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