Hi again mfk,
I got some red hook SD's and they been in QT for a while. Today was the day I decided to add them to my grow out tank with my festae. The SD's are all around 3-4" and my festae is about 5.5".
I did a big water change and move around some decor prior to adding them, made sure to feed her good prior as well. This is the first time I have attempted to add fish like this. She has been solo in the tank since 1.5" and I was worried about how this was going to go down.
So i turn to mfk. What kind of behavior to you folks keep an eye out for when attempting something like this? Obviously if she goes right after them and trying to kill them its pretty obvious what the outcome would eventually be. But this is not the case for me right now.
She definitely has her guard up, she is controlling most of the tank and keeping them to the upper part of the water column. She moves them out of her way.
The SD's have taken no damage so far, they do what they can to stay out of her way, they are actively swimming around the tank but haven't had the chance to explore the lower parts yet and she doesn't let them down there just yet. Its been at least 5 hours since the been in the tank with her and did eat dinner in there too.
My gut is telling me this sort of behavior she is showing is that of dominance and to establish who is boss but clearly not trying to kill them or eat them. at least not yet.
I'm sure many of you here have been in a similar situation and was wondering what advice could be given. I am prepared to separate if necessary. I don't want to pull the trigger to quick and not give it a chance either though.
Any advice on this would be awesome.
Thanks
I got some red hook SD's and they been in QT for a while. Today was the day I decided to add them to my grow out tank with my festae. The SD's are all around 3-4" and my festae is about 5.5".
I did a big water change and move around some decor prior to adding them, made sure to feed her good prior as well. This is the first time I have attempted to add fish like this. She has been solo in the tank since 1.5" and I was worried about how this was going to go down.
So i turn to mfk. What kind of behavior to you folks keep an eye out for when attempting something like this? Obviously if she goes right after them and trying to kill them its pretty obvious what the outcome would eventually be. But this is not the case for me right now.
She definitely has her guard up, she is controlling most of the tank and keeping them to the upper part of the water column. She moves them out of her way.
The SD's have taken no damage so far, they do what they can to stay out of her way, they are actively swimming around the tank but haven't had the chance to explore the lower parts yet and she doesn't let them down there just yet. Its been at least 5 hours since the been in the tank with her and did eat dinner in there too.
My gut is telling me this sort of behavior she is showing is that of dominance and to establish who is boss but clearly not trying to kill them or eat them. at least not yet.
I'm sure many of you here have been in a similar situation and was wondering what advice could be given. I am prepared to separate if necessary. I don't want to pull the trigger to quick and not give it a chance either though.
Any advice on this would be awesome.
Thanks
