I picked up a pair of Apisto Cacatuoides about 2 weeks ago and have them established in a 15g tank with lots of driftwood, leaf litter and plants (Fontanalis, Java Moss, Brazilian Pennywort, water lettuce and duckweed). I was looking for tankmates for the Apistos and everything I read online said Pencilfish were the way to go. Long story short, I picked up 3 Red Pencilfish last night and popped them into the tank with the Apistos. The male Apisto would not give up on chasing/hunting them. Before letting it go too far, I pulled the fish out and popped them into a separate tank. Should I have just left them in, and the Apisto will eventually stop? Is he already too territorial having had the tank to him and his female for the last 2 weeks? There's no eggs that I know of, or I'd think the female would be the one doing the chasing.
Apisto and Red Pencilfish aggression problem
- Thread starter Cookie*
- Start date
I would get a larger tank if you want to add anything. Sounds like the pair has claimed the tank.
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I'm now seeing the male be aggressive toward the female, chasing her around the tank a good bit, nipping at her. I think I triggered his hunting instinct on accident.