altifon hates winemilleri

[RobE]

I have a 20 long that is setup for a qt/grow out for some geos.
4 1/2" altifron
3 1/2" winemilleri
3" steindacneri
3" surinamensis
2 1/2" red head tapajos x4
When there all together the altifrons harasses the winemilleri incessantly. He casually chases the rest of the fish but nothing out of the norm. I have put up a divider to keep the altifron on one side and the winemilleri is much happier. Is there anything I can do to help with the aggression between the two? Would adding additional winemilleri help? I don't really want to get rid of the altifron but I will if I can't get him to calm down. The weird thing is when they are separated the winemilleri hangs out right next to the altifron on the other side of the divider. All of these will be going into my 150 after qt. Thanks for any input.

 

[Paulbearer]

GEOS do better in groups of 4-8 and usually do better with one or two species. Yes you can mix them, but ideally they should be in groups and it helps spread aggressive nature amongst them. The 150 will be good for them, they are good size for your quarantine tank and that's probably the biggest issue...they are cramped.

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[ryansmith83]

That tank is way too small to quarantine that many Geos of that size. Upgrade them and the aggression should calm down. It also helps to keep them in groups of their own kind.

 

[RobE]

I did not plan on having them all in there, things just kind of happend. I have been doing this a long time and have never had more than 3 in qt at the same time. I will keep them seperated until I get through qt and then see how it goes in the bigger tank. The others get along just fine. Thanks

 

[neutrino]

Right, I see they're going in a 150 after quarantine, but meanwhile I agree with Ryan on what you're seeing now. Tank is small, with random individuals rather than a species group, and for whatever reason, possibly because both are male or possibly because it's the closest in size, the altifrons isn't happy with the winemilleri in its vicinity. Overall, though, you generally get less aggression with juvie geos in a larger group of a particular species than just two or three of either the same or similar species. Once they pair up you can usually keep just a pair together in a reasonably sized tank (except steiny types, which are better as a male with a harem).