Just added another Endli to my setup 3 days ago. Up until that point I had 1 Endli and 2 senegals which all got along great. However my 1st Endli hates the new one, sometimes hunting it down just to beat on it. It has attacked the new bichir's fins and even bit it's head. The new Endli seems to be uninjured thank God. I'm hoping this will be temporary and just a display of dominance? My knowledge/experience with bichirs is limited so any info or advice would help. The foot print of the tank is 3'x8' and there's plenty of places for them to hide. Obviously if this continues I will have to move the new one to another tank but I'm hoping this aggression will subside. I see members tanks loaded with bichirs and I'm wondering what the hell is going on in my tank???
Endli Aggression
- Thread starter ESOX
- Start date
Well hmm. All bichirs are individuals. I've experienced everything from complete tranquility to mayhem, with fish fighting so horribly I had to use a net to pry one off of the other. I can tell you that you will ALWAYS have a little bit of aggression when you introduce a fish to an existing group. It's recommended that you rearrange your tank before or directly after you add a fish so that the existing fish don't have claim over any specific territory and it's all fair game. Split tails will happen, and will heal easily. The head biting thing is normal, but only at feeding time. You'll know when they aren't playing around - especially with an Endli. They can do some serious damage. I had one that I had to separate and she had to live alone because of her mean streak, but usually, after a few days of being together, all the other fish I've brought in have been just fine. I'd say move the hiding spots around, and wait it out. If it gets to the point where the fish are midtank level ripping at each other's faces like a dogfight, it might not be something that'll go away.
Jessie*
KOTR
Jessie*
KOTR
Thanks for the replies Jessie. Sounds like you've been witness to some serious bichir battles. My situation hasn't gotten that bad and hopefully it won't! I've created some new hiding spots as well as moved around some ornamentation so hopefully that will help.
Randy
Randy
Keep us posted and if you have any pics, do share!