help! my ornates want to eat me!

[Carefree_Dude]

about three weeks ago, I added 2 7" poly ornates to my tank. I did research, and do know about aggression issues if you keep more than one. One of these two is only temporary and will be going to a dedicated tank at my moms place when its cycled.

Anyways, these two ornates have a little driftwood cave that they share. So far, I have not seen any aggression towards each other, and they are always right next to each other and always following each other around. pretty cool IMO.

Today though, they have started showing aggression... Towards me. I was doing a tank cleaning today, when suddenly I see one of my ornates swimming up to me. next thing I know he attacks, barely missing my hand. He then tries to attack me again and again. I eventually scare him off into his little cave.

I continue with the sand vac, and the other one (which is slightly smaller) darts out and tries to bite me as well.

is there any reason for this behavior? any way to stop it? I've watched these two and they haven't gone after any fish or anything. They are well fed on worms and massivore.


Also, what size can i expect to start seeing aggression?

 

[GarNiac]

this is the first time I hear bichirs attacking people, lol. I wish mine was like yours. It is really not common for bichirs to attack people, but they do some times get aggressive towards each other, usually fighting over hiding places or territorial. I would add more bichirs which are bigger than the ornates if you have a big space. Otherwise some people would add hiding places in the tank.

 

[circumbus]

hey there! don't worry about your polys dude, they do great with each other. don't worry about him trying to attack your hand either, they have poor eye sight so they'd try and get at anything thats slow enough for them to catch. they are very predatory and carnivorous but they're not exactly quick. baby catfish feeders are great for polys cos theyre really slow and clumsy and make the perfect feeders for polys IMO. all the best man!

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

I did research, and do know about aggression issues if you keep more than one

:WTF: You fail at your research...

And for your info, just let them bite. Doesn't even left a mark, let alone hurt...

 

[Carefree_Dude]

:WTF: You fail at your research...

And for your info, just let them bite. Doesn't even left a mark, let alone hurt...

Several sources say that they are aggressive towards their own kind.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

..... wrong source

they would only be aggressive if the tank size is too small or the size difference is too big

 

[kevinfleming21]

I'll take an attack Ornate please!

 

[fishyzoo]

Mine goes for the hairs on my arms. Must think they are worms, bloody hurts when he gets a big mouthful. Still id rather he rip my hairs out then my puffers take a chomp now that hurts.

 

[reptileguy2727]

I have never had aggression issues with bichirs, I don't know why that is such a common idea. Any fish will go for something that fits in its mouth, so big size differences are an issue with any type of fish.