? for those keeping multiple ATF species.....

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DB junkie

DB junkie

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I know several of you are keeping multiple species of ATF together......

Can you tell me how much they vary in size? How much bigger then the other ATF can a GATF be before it's cause for concern? I'm under the impression that the G's are pretty mellow for ATF, so if that's wrong please enlighten me? I assume they grow at pretty different rates so just kind of wondering if this is even a good idea? I see the combo out there, but I've only had ATF a few months. Not sure what to expect from them yet as far as temperament.

Any experiences would be greatly appreciated!!!
 
In my experience with VATF and GATF they both have grown at the same speed .... in fact the VATF maybe a little faster, but thats because he eats the most I believe ... I'm sure at some point he will level off, while the Goliaths continue to grow

As far as temperment the VATF seems more aggressive and does better in a community, since he is less skittish and more aggressive in going for food, but this could be because of the way he was grown, I didnt get him until he was about 7 inches, so he spent more time in a LFS in a community tank where feedings are less and competition is more important for survival ... the Goliaths seem worst in small groups ... I've heard countless incidents of Goliaths relentlessly beating eachother until one dies ... I've seen this with my original 4 that was eventually turned into 3, and a close friend had the same issue with his 3 becoming 2 .... my remaining 2 are getting more aggressive toward eachother, but the VATF seems to be the counterweight, he attacks both, but mostly the smaller G, while the smaller G chases the bigger G .... I've never kept multiple individuals of any other species except Goliaths so I dont know if they behave the same way ... as far as general behavior though, all the ATF's I think are very similar and similar in growth rate as well ... same species seem to be more aggressive toward eachother, but different species are still very similar and will therefor fight between eachother also, though I believe not quite as continuously

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So here's the situation.....

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Thoughts on keeping this all together? I can move the G to a different tank, but they seem to be a pretty tight knit group already, actually stay together most of the time. Just don't really want to risk anything happening to the lil Tanzys.
 
Not sure if this will be of any help, but when I was trying to get my 5 inch taft onto pellets and was starving him I added a 4.5 inch fatf to help teach him. At first he picked on the fish and then left him alone for 24 hours. Unfortunatley the following night he killed the fatf.
 
Charney said:
Not sure if this will be of any help, but when I was trying to get my 5 inch taft onto pellets and was starving him I added a 4.5 inch fatf to help teach him. At first he picked on the fish and then left him alone for 24 hours. Unfortunatley the following night he killed the fatf.
Click to expand...

So you would move the GATF?
 
my only concern is the size of the GATF ... i'd let it go, but keep an eye on it, if he starts beating on them i'd move him, but otherwise let it ride ... since he's a single specimen, and was added after the TATF's i'd see how it plays out ... i think you would see some warning signs before you wind up with any dead fish, i'd find it hard to imagine him killing any in one night, plus with 5 in there, the nipping and chasing will hopefully be spread out, just watch for 1 becoming the target ... when did you add him? as he really settles in thats when problems will happen, if it ever happens ... glad you have a GATF ... i love all the tigers, but the Goliaths are just wow ... cangrats man, going full tilt! i love it
 
Nice pickup, Al! :thumbsup:

I'm inclined to agree with DJ. I don't see anything happening in that tank to be concerned about, but I'd definitely monitor it closely. If it was me, I'd add a trio of TFBs and another trio of bala sharks as target fish. Once I became confident that the tigers were playing nice, I'd throw the dithers into the main tank and let them fend for themselves.

That's exactly how I always handled my young tigers and since I started doing it like that, I never lost one. :) I even had some 4" tigers living with my then ten inch GATF for a couple of weeks with no issues. I only moved them to a 55 growout because they couldn't find food in the big tank.
 
i think since you have a larger group you are probably in a better position. If it was my group I would just watch them closely and if you see any issues you most likely have time to act accordingly . Plus in my situation it didn't help that my taft was really really hungry
 
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