An unfortunate update. The other three astyanax bimculatus started going after the largest. They are relentless so I moved her to the hospital tank. This is the tough thing about keeping these fish. They are often really aggressive and beat on each other. Keeping them in even numbers helps, but no guarantee it will work. If this one doesn’t heal, then the same thing will happen to another.
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- Thread starter Toiletcar
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Hopefully she heals up, I take it there one of those spp that need to be in large shoals
Thanks, I think she will. She got bit by a large male liosellei before. Swimming upside down and like this. I put her in the hospital tank, only did water changes. She was back to normal in 2 weeks.
I agree about a large shoal would be better. In the wild they have a ton of space, and shoal. Most astyanax behavior is like this except fasciatus or aeneus (can’t remember which) is far less aggressive then the others. You know it’s bad when people get bitten when they swim w/ them or simply put your foot in the water. The behavior is closer to piranha then your average tetra. But they aren’t skittish like some piranha spp. They will eat out of your hand, but if you do that expect to be bitten because they will frenzy feed. I’ve seen them tear apart 1” HRP in seconds before I could save them. Once you see them attack one fish, you have to remove ASAP. They will kill something way faster then a cichlid would. Anyway, I am torn w/ these guys. I like them, but I worry about the aggression at times. If I ever get an astyanax spp. Like these again, it would have to be a very large tank, w/ large shoal, and no cichlids. Only tank mates would be plecos.
wow, sorry to hear that one got hurt man. Good insight on the Astyanax though. I have been wanting to try some small ones with my istlanum but haven't been able to find any 2-3"ers.
Maybe I will pass on them now.
Maybe I will pass on them now.
They are still doable w/ your istlanum. You just need more, like 10+.
I did measure that fish out of water. Not quite big as I thought, 6.5”.
Update: the tetra is fine now and back w/ the others. They are doing great w/ no aggression. Not sure why they are fine now. The female was in the hospital tank for 2 weeks. When she got stronger, I introduced her at feeding time. No issues since.
Some pics from today:
Some pics from today:
