Caribas are that aggressive?

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Atfownz

Atfownz

Piranha
MFK Member
Jan 9, 2006
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Hey guys,

I'm posting a thread for the previous owner of my shoal. He wanted to sell the shaol of natts to me because he wanted to start a new project. He had 12 reds and sold me 11, which left him with 1. He kept one just to see if the new caribas he was going to get would school together.. The worst case scenario happened, maybe not the worst but something horrible occurred. He added 5 3" caribas to his 50 g tall (I dont know what he is thinking keep that tall 50g...). Anyways, after one week... there was only ONE cariba left.. Are they that aggressive? He called me in the most depressing tone and was venting all the stress and "bad trip" he was going through.

Anyways, what he wanted to ask was, what is the best way to add more caribas without having more casualties? Is this one remaining cariba the problem? tank size? temp? water parameters? I know no one can really pinpoint the main problem but what are some methods out of experience that you added more caribas successfully? He is telling me that he regrets selling the red shoal to me! :ROFL: THEY ARE MINE FOREVER ! Thanks for the info guys, I as well as my friend will appreciate the feedback!
 
Oh yeah, is it "cariba" or "caribe" ? Sorry about the stupid question. Im too lazy to look at the sticky right now. Thanks!
 
most of what he was doing was wrong...50 gal tall for 5 caribes? typically the footprint should be longer than the height. Yes the caribes are generally more aggressive than the natts. too little space.
 
They are the most aggressive, which is why the minimum tank size for 4 of them is a 225 IMO. Better would be 8 in a 500g

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what temperature was your friend keeping them at?
4 in 225g or 8 in a 500g would be a bit too much, I'm sure the fish would love all the space but not really feasible for most hobbyist. but 50g tall is def. too small
 
He kept temps at 78-80F. Not too high or low. It only took one week for the Cariba to kill the rest as well as the other red.
 
jp80911 said:
what temperature was your friend keeping them at?
4 in 225g or 8 in a 500g would be a bit too much, I'm sure the fish would love all the space but not really feasible for most hobbyist. but 50g tall is def. too small
Click to expand...

Well it would be ideal, of course you can go smaller but not much! I know a guy on a german forum who has 10 or 12 adult caribes in an 800 gallon tank and trust me it looks full.

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jp80911 said:
what temperature was your friend keeping them at?
4 in 225g or 8 in a 500g would be a bit too much, I'm sure the fish would love all the space but not really feasible for most hobbyist. but 50g tall is def. too small
Click to expand...

+1. Atleast 20gallons per fish, 25-30 being ideal.


Not a big enough footprint, prlly didn't feed Good foods either so they were always hungry.


Go S. Vettel #1 rb8
 
I think cannibalism at smaller sizes depends more on feeding, and cannibalism at larger sizes i about territory. Tank temp, tank size, tank decor layout, lighting, individual fish personality (how many bullies), and current in the tank all factor into infighting and cannibalism.

Ive had eight cariba in a 125 for months with no issues. Tank is beginning to look full, but not too small. That being said, i do wish that i had more water volume purely for the fact that im doing constant large water changes to keep algae at bay.
 
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