I have been growing out 6 carpintus "chairel" with some Geophagis iporangensus and a belly crawler pike in in a 75 gal with plenty of pots, rockwork and some logs, the aggression level intense, but mostly non-lethal.
In anticipation of sending them off in a box swap (and pre-spawning activity by the Geos), I moved the carpintus to a 50 gal without any rockwork, just a sandy bottom.
Aggression has seemed to come to an abrupt end.
I theorize, because this compares closely to natural, bare Mexican riverbottoms I have seen in videos (that they inhabit), they feel at ease. And without territorial markers, the need to squabble is lessened.
In the 75, aggression was high.
In the sparse tank, no noticeable aggression.
Because in nature birds are their main predator, in this situation, from above, they are nearly invisible.
In anticipation of sending them off in a box swap (and pre-spawning activity by the Geos), I moved the carpintus to a 50 gal without any rockwork, just a sandy bottom.
Aggression has seemed to come to an abrupt end.
I theorize, because this compares closely to natural, bare Mexican riverbottoms I have seen in videos (that they inhabit), they feel at ease. And without territorial markers, the need to squabble is lessened.
In the 75, aggression was high.
In the sparse tank, no noticeable aggression.
Because in nature birds are their main predator, in this situation, from above, they are nearly invisible.
