More Room = Less Agreesion??

[13784]

I have a 180 gallon with a 5" Green Terrror; 4 rather large Parrot Fish; 2 medium size Tin Foil Barbs; 2 medium size gold seveums; one small Firemouth; and a 4" eyebiter. All are compatable with each other. I want to add a 2" Jack Dempsey. Will I overstocked the aquarium with this addition? Does allowing more space in the aquarium reduce aggression?
Thanks.

 

[pcfriedrich]

I would bet if they are all getting along okay the addition of a JD wouldn't really make too much difference. In my experience, JD's aren't as aggressive as their reputation implies. my worry might be that he would be picked on, especially by the GT, being the smallest guy in the tank. try it out, if he takes a little abuse, take him out and let him grow a little.

my question is, why did you wait to add a JD? that is the first fish I usually pick out for a new tank.

 

[japes]

Should be fine.

Not sure why you've got an Eyebiter in there, though.

 

[13784]

I never thought about adding a JD until recently. And, the thought of the JD's reputation of being an agressive fish and disrupt the harmony I have in the 180 gallon also held me back. Today, I came across a nice little guy--dark with the blue specks. He doesn't appear aggressive towrards the other JD in the store aquarium. My thoughts are the small JD would learn to respect the larger fish and grow to be less agressive. This is the last fish I'm adding to the aquarium to allow for all fish to grow. I hope I'm not overstocking.

 

[13784]

And the eyebiter...That was an impulse buy. I had no ideas what it was other than it was a nice looking fish. I heard they, too, are not as bad as their reputation. Mine hasn't chase any fish since I got it in January. I'm cautiously watching it.

 

[pcfriedrich]

I never thought about adding a JD until recently. And, the thought of the JD's reputation of being an agressive fish and disrupt the harmony I have in the 180 gallon also held me back. Today, I came across a nice little guy--dark with the blue specks. He doesn't appear aggressive towrards the other JD in the store aquarium. My thoughts are the small JD would learn to respect the larger fish and grow to be less agressive. This is the last fish I'm adding to the aquarium to allow for all fish to grow. I hope I'm not overstocking.

This is speculation, but I think JD's got their reputation (and name) as fighting fish. put an adult in an small aquarium with another fish, and he may behave like his pro boxer namesake. they have the tools to defend themselves, but aren't overly aggressive at all (IME).

I love JD's they're like the perfect fish. don't get too big, beautiful color, can hold their own in a tank with more agressives, can usually be trusted with less aggressives.

as a last addition, you picked a good one.

 

[robmcd]

Dont even worry abou it. You have alot of tankspace there even with the fish you have now....

 

[pcfriedrich]

Dont even worry abou it. You have alot of tankspace there even with the fish you have now....

But didn't want to be so bold. If the JD and the GT teamed up (which is virtually impossible), all hell could break loose.

of course, you'd see signs of negative behavior before tragedy. do it, if somethings not right, you can seperate them.

 

[pcfriedrich]

And the eyebiter...That was an impulse buy. I had no ideas what it was other than it was a nice looking fish. I heard they, too, are not as bad as their reputation. Mine hasn't chase any fish since I got it in January. I'm cautiously watching it.

never heard of the eyebiter. just googled it. nice looking fish, but does looked like it was made for eyebiting. also, africans and new worlds often prefer different water hardness and Ph. but if they're getting by, more power to you.

both africans I tried to keep with americans acted weird and died early deaths, didn't know why, but learned eventually...

and surprisingly, the LFS guy never told me.

 

[Mystix212]

You have eons and eons of room. Feel free to add more if you wish. Providing your filter can handle it.