Aggressive Flagtail prochilodus?? :o

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

NeonFlux

Candiru
MFK Member
Mar 11, 2010
270
17
48
Los Angeles
Hi guys,

I have one flagtail prochilodus as one of my centerpiece fish in my one 250 gallon, and during feeding time, it seems to be a bit on the aggressive side towards my other fish like my silver dollars and sometimes he also goes after my blood red parrots too a bit, but not as eager to push them aside like he does with my silver hook, regular sd's.. I'm guessing it is because flags and sd's are in the same family and with their silvery colors like on my sd's, makes them targets..? And I think my small bala shark growing up may be a victim too.. Can this be alright long-term..? The flagtail doesn't seem to be extremely aggressive, but only aggressive during eating time.. Iunno.. I'm scared he might stress my awesome silver dollars into sickness; my sd's are fast though, but still! I'm not sure if it's alright to keep it going.. and he is only going to get bigger.. badder, and meaner? D: I like the fact he is like a boss of the tank, but MAN he is being a greedy pushover. He is about 7"-8" inches now and still growing well.

Any thoughts? What should I do? Maybe introduce more flags so they keep the aggression to themselves or something? But the tank is quite stocked already. I'm not sure what to do.. I always thought Flagtails were peaceful, I guess that's not really true..

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks a lot.
 
Flagtails do not like other silver fish for the most part in my experience. I had a 10-11" in my 350 and he would chase my silver dollars off, but never really do much harm at all because he couldn't catch them in he tried. Try and make sure you have some wood/plants to break up line of site in the tank and i'm sure you will be ok.
 
I have a 14 inch flagtail and it does a lot of chasing in my 420 gallon tank and I have had them kill some of my fish by sucking the slime coat off them and chasing till they got so stressed out and sucked them to death. the one I have now just chases.the other one that I got rid of killed a two foot albino garamie and a grey garamie about the same size.they usually do not do well in groups
 
Thanks for the responses guys! I think I might just keep hima round for a little longer.. if things get out of hand like my SD's getting seriously injured and very stressed, HE IS OUT...

Any more input? I would greatly appreciate it. :)
 
I have one in my 155 with 4 red hook silver dollars. He does chase them here and there but especially during feeding time.
 
Hi tydus, I see you're keeping one as well with red hooks.. by the way did the sd's suffer any serious injures or anything? How big is your flagtail. :)
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com