I will start out with my general setup info. I have a 40 gallon long at 82 degrees F with lots of plants, rocks, cave-like wood and other hiding places with playsand substrate. In the tank are 5 RBP at an average of about 3.5-4 inches long and a bunch of guppies for show. On a side note, the guppies are surprisingly thriving and have already had three batches of fry. Anyway, the tank has been up and running for just over 2 months and all of the fish have been displaying normal and healthy behavior and appetite. HOWEVER, my problem is that the biggest RBP has become attached to a certain spot right up front and center of the tank, kind of in a corner formed by a large rock decoration and plants, and chases every other fish into the back corners of the tank. He/she naturally becomes more aggressive when hungry. His/her behavior has made the other fish even more skittish to the point where they don't really swim around anymore. I have read that a larger group is more stable and that this is also similar to mating behavior, but I think they are still too young for that. I was contemplating moving around the decorations/ disrupting the fish's territory. Does this sound like a good idea? Let me know your thoughts and thanks in advance for the help!
Dominant RBP in my tank... what should I do?
- Thread starter badegeus
- Start date
Best advice I can give you is move your decor around and lower your temp to somewhere around 75. The lower temps should help the aggression. Adding a powerhead can somtimes also help.
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I have been keeping RBP for only about 3-4 months. I managed aggression by lowering the temp and moving stuff around in the tank. Structure that breaks up the line of sight helps. I haven't moved anything around in about a month. I keep my temp at 77F.
Fry at 3.5"? Rbp don't sexually mature till almost 1 year, are they stunted? Pics?
As above lower temps will help lower aggression and so will clean water. But IME space is the key here, give them more room, if somehow they are breeding the rbp is just protecting its nest! It's natural
Pics would be of great help.
Ps. Rbp are territorial fish that have hierarchy among the shoal, that's why more space is important, they are very active fish, and where are all your fry?
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As above lower temps will help lower aggression and so will clean water. But IME space is the key here, give them more room, if somehow they are breeding the rbp is just protecting its nest! It's natural
Pics would be of great help.
Ps. Rbp are territorial fish that have hierarchy among the shoal, that's why more space is important, they are very active fish, and where are all your fry?
_________________________________________________________________________
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?504763-Cheap-plants-less-nitrate!-POTHOS
*Go S. Vettel #1 rb8--2 MORE RACES LEFT! SEE YOU IN TEXAS BOYS! LET'S MAKE IT 3 BACK TO BACK WDC!*
Fry at 3.5"? Rbp don't sexually mature till almost 1 year, are they stunted? Pics?
As above lower temps will help lower aggression and so will clean water. But IME space is the key here, give them more room, if somehow they are breeding the rbp is just protecting its nest! It's natural
Pics would be of great help.
Ps. Rbp are territorial fish that have hierarchy among the shoal, that's why more space is important, they are very active fish, and where are all your fry?
_________________________________________________________________________
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?504763-Cheap-plants-less-nitrate!-POTHOS
*Go S. Vettel #1 rb8--2 MORE RACES LEFT! SEE YOU IN TEXAS BOYS! LET'S MAKE IT 3 BACK TO BACK WDC!*
The guppies have the fry.
Ahhh ok that makes sense.
The title is dominate rbp in my tank, what should I do?
My answer is get rid of them because that's how rbp are as I explained above, they will chill out as they grow, when they become adults 5-8" they just chill all day, when teens or young only space can really solve the issue you have, for now low temp, clean water, good varied diet and low light will help, can you get access to a bigger tank?
_________________________________________________________________________
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?504763-Cheap-plants-less-nitrate!-POTHOS
*Go S. Vettel #1 rb8--2 MORE RACES LEFT! SEE YOU IN TEXAS BOYS! LET'S MAKE IT 3 BACK TO BACK WDC!*
Yeah the guppies are thriving and makin babies. But thanks again for all of the suggestions. I'll make some changes and keep you updated on the progress. I have a big solid rock decoration about 12" cubed in there now. Should I just take that out to give them more space?
Even if you take that dominant rbp out, another one will soon rise to the position. Temp is way too high... should be 72-77F. I used to worry similar to you but looking at this clip.... you won't worry too much. The elimination of the line of sight can help too.
[video=youtube;27ihNq1tDPU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27ihNq1tDPU[/video]
[video=youtube;27ihNq1tDPU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27ihNq1tDPU[/video]
I completely agree with Atfownz on that. I think its a space issue and they are establishing the pecking order for that confined space. 5 red bellies should have more space than a 40 long.