Leopard Bushfish Aggression Issues

[Ninjouzata]

Hey, it's been quite a while since I posted here.

I'm having issues with my leopard bushfish chasing and nipping my angelfish (I have 3) and my black ghost knife.

I can understand the angels with their long flowy fins and I am planning on re-homing them but I'm not sure what to do about him going after my BGK, which is unacceptable. This tank was purchased and decorated specifically for the BGK so I don't like anything messing with it.

The tank is 129g (72x18x23"), so I would think it's not a lack of space. I'll add a video at the end since I don't have any recent pictures, to show the hiding places and maybe give an idea of size.

The fish were added in mid-april in 2014, after the tank had been fish-less cycled with ammonia, so they've been together for a little while.

There is also a blue phantom pleco, a striped peacock eel, and a half-banded eel, just in case someone wants to know the rest of the stocking.

I just realized, temps have been high lately (currently 83F), could this have anything to do with the bushfish's aggression?

I'm hoping that after the angelfish are re-homed he will calm down but now that I think about it that just might make him attack the BGK even more as he wont have as many fish to pick on. I havn't seen him bother the eels at all.

I read one post on here that a single bushfish may get aggressive eventually, but if you have multiples they will be mellow. I also have read that adding more after one is established will end up in territorial battling. Should I try adding more? If so, they should be of the same size, yes? I imagine the only way I'd find any his size (not that he's huge of course) would be on aquabid or something.

I could also see re-homing him and then if I'm set on having leopard bushfish (I adore them) then I could add a group..but I really would like to try not getting rid of the one I have. I'd also worry that after adding a group they'd become just as aggressive and then I'd have 3 or more chasing my BGK instead of just one.

Like I said this is to show the hiding places and size of the fish..at least in comparison to each other.
I don't have the leopard bushfish attacking anyone on camera yet.

Sorry for the length and being a bit all over the place!
Thanks for any responses, let me know if any more information is needed.

 

[jwh]

I had 4 and now only have one left, in a group they squabble amongst each other, but it was never serious. My current one is also in a setup with angels, it's the most mellow fish I've had, hangs in the shade of driftwood, comes to the glass when I'm in the room. I may be lucky, or perhaps you have a grumpy fish. If I see them again, I'm getting some more.
My experience...

 

[tlindsey]

I think the leopard bush fish has established the one side of that beautiful scaped aquarium as his territory, and that possibly may be the reason for chasing the BGK, and Angels imo.

 

[Ninjouzata]

I had 4 and now only have one left, in a group they squabble amongst each other, but it was never serious. My current one is also in a setup with angels, it's the most mellow fish I've had, hangs in the shade of driftwood, comes to the glass when I'm in the room. I may be lucky, or perhaps you have a grumpy fish. If I see them again, I'm getting some more.
My experience...

Thank you for sharing! Now I'm even more unsure of getting a group >< Mine hangs around in the plants and caves but he will openly attack the fish that I mentioned. I had one before him that unfortunately died (It was in a 10g, very small, while the 129 was still cycling) and he would eat out of my hand and always greet me. This one sees me and runs away, but I love him anyways..I sure do miss my old one though

 

[Ninjouzata]

I think the leopard bush fish has established the one side of that beautiful scaped aquarium as his territory, and that possibly may be the reason for chasing the BGK, and Angels imo.

Thank you for the compliment! The thing is the BGK does not go to that side, unless there is food there. The rest of the time the BGK is usually in the bottom back of the middle cave, just going back and forth. I have seen the leopard bushfish on the opposite side of the tank, chasing the BGK in and out of the single cave there. So you may be right but perhaps he just thinks the whole tank is his.

Not sure if this will merge with my previous post or not..didn't mean to double post.

 

[tlindsey]

Personally I would not worry about it until you see the fish being harmed, or starting to get stressed.

 

[jeaninel]

Mine was in a 135 gallon with angels and some other fish. He also was very mellow and would greet me. In the beginning he would occasionally defend his bit of territory. Nothing serious, just a little bit of chasing but never any damage done. He just passed this last weekend. I had him for 7 years. He was one of my favorite fish. I plan on getting another one sometime soon. Just my experience.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Personally I would not worry about it until you see the fish being harmed, or starting to get stressed.

I've noticed some marks on my BGK but they aren't bad. I'm just trying to get this taken care of before I wake up and find my BGK dead or seriously injured. I do tend to be a bit paranoid though ><

Mine was in a 135 gallon with angels and some other fish. He also was very mellow and would greet me. In the beginning he would occasionally defend his bit of territory. Nothing serious, just a little bit of chasing but never any damage done. He just passed this last weekend. I had him for 7 years. He was one of my favorite fish. I plan on getting another one sometime soon. Just my experience.

They've been together for over a year now though and it just recently started so I'm not sure what has brought it on.

Sounds like he was a lovely fish, I'm so sorry for your loss! I hope your next one will be mellow as well. <3