hi, I have a 8-10 inch male (I think it is anyhow) and I have found another (a suspected female) locally, I was thinking of using a divider and then after a few weeks removing it and watching closly, sound like an idea.... its my only option I think right?
introducing 2 larger ornatipinnis?
- Thread starter justarn
- Start date
I don't think the divider will do much other then to delay the battle . Unfortunately the most likely result Is that they'll rip each other apart the second you pull it out. In my experience pairs have to form from juvinile groups before the instinct to kill everything they see sets in. I also find that once a channa is kept solo it boosts the aggression levels and they don't ever except a mate. Newcomers are seen as a threat even when it's the opposite gender . Even previously bonded pairs who bred successfully tend to turn on each other if separated for even a short time and then are reintroduced.
That being said if your going to try it now is the right time of year to introduce them. Do so as you lower the temps for a winter rest. I would also highly recommend removing your current channa from the tank and give him a temporary home for a couple weeks . While he's in the temp tank gut the old tank and completely redo it once it is rearranged reintroduce them both at the same time to the new tank , this MIGHT help lower the territorial fighting. He might not fall for it though ,channa arnt dumb and have excellent eye sight he may recognize the tank as his territory base on the surroundings outside the tank regardless of any remodeling you do .
There is always that chance that it might work but if you try you should go into it expecting it not too go well and be prepared for the loss of one or both fish in the process.
That being said if your going to try it now is the right time of year to introduce them. Do so as you lower the temps for a winter rest. I would also highly recommend removing your current channa from the tank and give him a temporary home for a couple weeks . While he's in the temp tank gut the old tank and completely redo it once it is rearranged reintroduce them both at the same time to the new tank , this MIGHT help lower the territorial fighting. He might not fall for it though ,channa arnt dumb and have excellent eye sight he may recognize the tank as his territory base on the surroundings outside the tank regardless of any remodeling you do .
There is always that chance that it might work but if you try you should go into it expecting it not too go well and be prepared for the loss of one or both fish in the process.
justin i moved mine into a larger tank hoping it would chill the larger male in to accepting one of the suspected females, changed the tank and most of the decor for new but brought a couple of bits and the plants. he has chilled a bit but i think it's because they have more room and deeper water, that said after 24hrs, complete decor change he went straight to his rock and sat there even though i provided better hiding caves etc he is happy guarding a small 4" rock that he has been on since he was about a inch long.
good luck lol these fish are too clever sometimes
good luck lol these fish are too clever sometimes
thanks for the help guys, I plan on taking on your advice, wish me luck on this one, I am collecting the new one today and I am pretty sure from the pics its female, she is a different shape in the head and apparently very placid. I don't have another spare tank atm but maybe I can swap around some fish and move them both into the 100g. should I still use the divider or just add them and watch all day?
I don't think the divider will help , it may actually make things worse giving them both a chance to set territorial lines in their minds that will feed the explosion when you remove it.
Also docile channa are typically that way due to stress not because they are nice lol. Once removed from a shops display and placed in a proper home with proper decore and temps they'll show their true nature.
Good luck.
Also docile channa are typically that way due to stress not because they are nice lol. Once removed from a shops display and placed in a proper home with proper decore and temps they'll show their true nature.
Good luck.
Well, I shifted his tank around first and sat and watched as he flared and layed on her, didn't outright attack at first so I watched and cracked open a beer with divider in had. as predicted after 15 min he bit her twice causing slight damage to her dorsal so ive whacked the divider in atm.
My plan atm is to move some fish from a 20g and move his tank next to that tank for a while as I think the divider will be compromised. Maybe it will help to get them used to the sight of each other until I free up my 100g for round two in a few months, he is outgrowing the 35g fast anyway at a guess he is 9-10 inch now and his tank is 32lx15wx18t so the upgrade is much needed (I have fish growing out in the 100g atm for the 300g before I can swap around). she is a lot smaller than him too at about 6-7 inch which prob isn't helping...
Also found out she was bought at the same size as him from the same lfs in jan/feb this year when they were the same size so possibly siblings and reinforces the sex of them as she seemed to be cared for correctly and is a lot smaller? must be a female right?
My plan atm is to move some fish from a 20g and move his tank next to that tank for a while as I think the divider will be compromised. Maybe it will help to get them used to the sight of each other until I free up my 100g for round two in a few months, he is outgrowing the 35g fast anyway at a guess he is 9-10 inch now and his tank is 32lx15wx18t so the upgrade is much needed (I have fish growing out in the 100g atm for the 300g before I can swap around). she is a lot smaller than him too at about 6-7 inch which prob isn't helping...
Also found out she was bought at the same size as him from the same lfs in jan/feb this year when they were the same size so possibly siblings and reinforces the sex of them as she seemed to be cared for correctly and is a lot smaller? must be a female right?
looking good, i suspect you're right justin, what i think is a pair in my group the heads is the give away but then i been keeping these less time than you hahaha
