My GATF/TATF Growout Shoal Thread

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I have separate and reintroduce with some success. They still did small nips until the one day.

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So typically how long does it take for a group to start showing these signs of aggression?

Do chances of a small shoal go up if you stick to keeping just one species?

What is everyone using for dithers in these groups?
 
I dont really think species makes a difference... my first ATF's were Goliaths and they beat eachother up badly from the 4 to 8 inch range .... had 4 originally and a combination of constant beatings and not enough current killed the smaller one in 4-5 months ... not sure whether it was size or the introduction of Dorado that stopped them, but my buddy has had the same issues ... if its spread out over 3-4 ATF's and lots of other dither fish its half bad, but once one becomes picked on more and becomes the target they then grow slower and it gets worse from there ... my tarpon became so valuable, although it sounds cruel, because he's so unaggressive and can take a beating and be fine ... my ATF's treated him like 1 of them so he divided aggression but didnt dish any out

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I dont really think species makes a difference... my first ATF's were Goliaths and they beat eachother up badly from the 4 to 8 inch range .... had 4 originally and a combination of constant beatings and not enough current killed the smaller one in 4-5 months ... not sure whether it was size or the introduction of Dorado that stopped them, but my buddy has had the same issues ... if its spread out over 3-4 ATF's and lots of other dither fish its half bad, but once one becomes picked on more and becomes the target they then grow slower and it gets worse from there ... my tarpon became so valuable, although it sounds cruel, because he's so unaggressive and can take a beating and be fine ... my ATF's treated him like 1 of them so he divided aggression but didnt dish any out

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I agree. I also think tank space makes a big difference also. If they can all have a zone to go to it makes it easier. Tarpon were a fish I was going to use. They helped alot when I had the fatf.

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I have 4 silver dollars, 3 barbs, 1 pink tailed chalceus and the vittatus didn't even notice them or touch them. My gatf and Taft and fatf play well. It's only the freaken vatf that causes all the trouble. I'm gonna start setting up my 500 gallon
 
And just out of curiosity what are you all thinking you're going to end up for a tank size to keep these things happy long term?

I've always cringed at the thought of max size of GATF, never thought I even have enough room to house one.

I thought a happy group would always swim together in formation rather then everyone finding thier own spot in a tank.
 
Mine are more formation swimmers rather than apart, although they do have their spots .... I'm hoping this tank will get me another couple years, but my plan is a 12x5-6×3 tall ... think thats the largest "reasonable" build I can fathom and I think that will be good for life ... I figure, even if my fish hit 3 foot that would be amazing, I doubt any, except the goonches and tarpon will break 4 in captivity, and if they do and I have to ante up again I will cause by then I'm sure I'll have already hit the lottery! ;)

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Mine are more formation swimmers rather than apart, although they do have their spots .... I'm hoping this tank will get me another couple years, but my plan is a 12x5-6×3 tall ... think thats the largest "reasonable" build I can fathom and I think that will be good for life ... I figure, even if my fish hit 3 foot that would be amazing, I doubt any, except the goonches and tarpon will break 4 in captivity, and if they do and I have to ante up again I will cause by then I'm sure I'll have already hit the lottery! ;)

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I agree with this post 100%.

My plans are almost identical, just scaled up somewhat. My plan is for 16x6-8x3. I'm in almost the same boat, but I don't expect any of my fish will exceed 2' except maybe the arowana. Granted though, once I settle down and build that big tank I'd imagine I'm gonna add some more fish. I'd like to try again with smaller tigerfish, I think a school of 6-8 foot long FATF would make amazing dithers for my GATF.

When I had my pack I had the GATF with a VATF and TATF and a trio of tinfoil barbs. The five smaller fish got along well and didn't have too many issues. There were some minor squabbles but the two smaller tigers spread it around among the barbs well enough to keep anyone from getting too beat up. Once they went over to the big tank from their growout Max made it clear he didn't like the smaller tigers. He had previously killed a VATF that I tried to keep with him so I figured it would be best if the babies found a new home.

I'm very happy that some of you guys are having better luck than me. I think my issue is that my fish is one of the dominant, ******* personality fish. He's OK with fish as long as they don't look too much like an ATF. He particularly hates bala sharks. I'm stuck on the idea of trying again someday, I will have success!

I want a brevis.
 
I agree chicx, Max seems dominant .... possibly the reason for mine never being that agressive is they were never the biggest in the tank, they were always with other bigger fish ... those being in the beginning an odoe, and bass and arowana, then nile perch and arapaima (yeah dumb purchase just couldnt help myself), then finally the Dorado ... I kept on getting rid of these guys because they kept outgrowing and outcompeting my ATF's .... i think being subservient scaled the aggression down, but also probably slowed my growth as well

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