Aggressive gold severum

[Galactik]

So I have this Severum that's been in between tanks; grew up in a 125 community tank . Hes about a year old now.

I originally got him with the idea of having a community (having that peaceful giant reputation) but he's been getting increasingly aggressive as he's gotten older. To the point of harassing much bigger fish I had like oscars, salvinis, firemouth and a JD as I was trying to find a good balance for him.

I ultimately had to give him his own tank (65g). Now I know this is not a forever tank but at his size, its still good for him. But ever since I gave him his own tank, he's always hiding - which is very unlikely for him - he's always been out about as long as he had some poor bastard to torture lol

I'm trying to figure out what could potentially work as a tankmate/ dither. I feel like he's not comfortable being alone but so far he's been a complete night mare with similar sized or bigger fish.

Any ideas?

 

[Rocksor]

Small dither fish like 12x black skirt tetras may get it out

 

[ryansmith83]

Have you tried him with something not shaped like him, such as Geophagus? Or large, deep-bodied tetras like Congos, Diamonds, Buenos Aires, Colombians, etc.

 

[Galactik]

I have tried him with very different but similar sized fish before without success, but never smaller. Maybe that would work? I do like the idea of him being the boss, dont really want another big fish in the tank.

Hes never killed anyone outright to be fair but he does bully other fish into caves and what not.

I do like the tetra idea. Would live bearers be good as well you think?

This is tiny. The trouble maker

 

[Rocksor]

Live bearers would work as well

 

[neutrino]

Agree with the dither fish idea, at least that would be my next move-- you could make a nice, atmospheric display tank with driftwood and/or plants, a group of nice looking taller bodied tetras (or other small-medium sized fish that like to be in groups), enough of them to be background noise so he (hopefully) doesn't pay much attention to them, but not so many as to over-compete for food, and let him be the centerpiece.

 

[Deadeye]

Livebearers would work but do prefer different water. Giant danios, rainbow fish, or tetras get my vote.

 

[Galactik]

Bit of an update - ended up moving this guy back in the 125 with a bigger Jaguar temporarily while I figure out a good setup for him.

Hes only become more aggressive. I have tried adding tiger barbs with him, danios, swordtails and he ate them all. He also killed a smaller jaguar I was growing.

I currently hes working ok is with a jaguar that is about his size but believe it or not, hes running the tank already and has taken a few nips at the jag.

I'm thinking I might have to keep him with something he can't eat or beat up, but also something thats not going to turn and shred him. (So not the current setup long term) any ideas?
I have tried giving him his own tank before but he hides all the time on his own and starts getting spooked by anything and running into things.

Its like he lives to have someone to torment lol