Hey, I have a 180 gallon with 12 inch indo datnoid a 6 inch blood parrot and a 5 inch male convict, the convict was added a few days ago and things were going fine but the parrot seems to go after the convict whenever I’m not looking almost lol he’s starting to get stressed out and I’m thinking maybe some dither fish can help the situation, any suggestions for something that might work ?
Good dither fish for community tank?
- Thread starter anzo1993
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Dithers won’t do much to stop aggression, they act more to keep fish comfortable and not hiding. A 180 is generally enough space for a parrot and con to figure it out, and it may just take time to do so. I would monitor for worsening aggression and you may have to separate if need be.
That said, the dat will make a meal out of any small dithers. I would look at something larger such as silver dollars (which can be skittish) or larger rainbowfish.
That said, the dat will make a meal out of any small dithers. I would look at something larger such as silver dollars (which can be skittish) or larger rainbowfish.
I used to have a cutteri that would tease my 10" blood parrot, she'd bite the things tail to get her to chase her and then swim through something the parrot couldn't fit through to get her stuck. Sometimes that's just the way things are
Yeah Iw as thinking silvers dollars based on there size, as for the situation I’ll give them abit more time, luckily the parrot can’t fully bite the convict lol
Being anal about biotopes, keeping a Datnoid, would be the perfect opportunity to keep some of the interesting and beautiful endemic species Dats are found with in that part of the world.
Some of the large exotic rainbow fish of Papua New Guinea would be my choice of dithers, or at least Asian Barbs, instead of S American tetras that often prefer softer acidic waters, as opposed to the hard, high pH waters Datnoid come from (pH 8 or above).
And many of the Asian Gobies would also make great tank mates to live at the substrate levels of the tank.
Archer fish, would also be a possibility as they inhabit the surface zone.
I personally would not keep Dats with any new world cichlids, but Etroplus suratensus, also Asian, and can also handle similar water parameters, even the brackish conditions Dats prefer as they get older.
Etroplus suratensis above.
Some of the large exotic rainbow fish of Papua New Guinea would be my choice of dithers, or at least Asian Barbs, instead of S American tetras that often prefer softer acidic waters, as opposed to the hard, high pH waters Datnoid come from (pH 8 or above).
And many of the Asian Gobies would also make great tank mates to live at the substrate levels of the tank.
Archer fish, would also be a possibility as they inhabit the surface zone.
I personally would not keep Dats with any new world cichlids, but Etroplus suratensus, also Asian, and can also handle similar water parameters, even the brackish conditions Dats prefer as they get older.
Etroplus suratensis above.
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I am a big fan of the filament barb, they grow rapidly in my experience hitting 4 inches in a few months so even small ones will be ready to go in your tank quickly.
Agree, they are a great choice
these get large enough, fast enough, and are found in the same type habitat (even brackish conditions), and legitimate geographical area.