Question about Flow.

[tokyogasmask]

Hi.
I just got a Clown Knife Fish for my Emperor Snakehead community tank project.
And am doing all my homework, but I have yet to find a definate answer to this question.

What kind of flow (from the filter outlet) do these guys like?
I would alos like to know why he leaves everything in the tank (all three juvenile Emperor Snakeheads) alone but enjoys ripping the fins from my Sailfin Pleco (about the same size as the Knife fish)?

The Clown Knife is at around 7-8" in length and is settling in nicely (feeding on Hikari sinking pellets and the occasional mealworm) and hope to continue it that way.

At this time 3 6" Emperor Snakeheads (top level), 1 6" Sailfin pleco and this clown are in a 100gallon tank. This will be moved to a 230gallon in March.

Cheers for you help with answers!

Here are a few pics of inhabitants:

Clown Knife:

The Juvenile Emperor Snakeheads:

And the poor Sailfin thet may now need to be moved:

 

[benzjamin13]

Looks like you have a lot of plants, but how about caves? Do you have a lot of hiding spots? Is the CK going out of it's way to attack the Pleco? Usually, Plecos are left alone. I can't imagine the CK going after it unless it's invading it's territory/hiding spot.

 

[tokyogasmask]

Looks like you have a lot of plants, but how about caves? Do you have a lot of hiding spots? Is the CK going out of it's way to attack the Pleco? Usually, Plecos are left alone. I can't imagine the CK going after it unless it's invading it's territory/hiding spot.

Hey benzjamin13!
Thanks for the great reply.

There is a cave made up for him towards the back of the tank. It is made from bits of bogwood leaning together. To be honest it could be better though. So I will go and get a pre-made cave I thinks.

And about the territory, The area where the cave is situated is indeed the CKF "area" but the pleco does travel all over the tank doing his pleco thing quite often straying into this area.

I have never seen any of the agression, only the damaged fins every morning, So I'm guessing the pleco must stray to far at night time.

Is there any way of avoiding this? Will it stop once territory has been properly established (the pleco has been in the tank for months now, the CKF since Sunday)

Also any idea about the flow question?

Thanks again for you help bro

 

[benzjamin13]

I think once you set up more hiding spots/caves, it'll give the fish more territories and places to explore and will tone down the violence. It may not completely stop, but should at least mellow it down. As for flow rate...CKs come from pretty stagnant rivers where the flow is quite easy going and the oxygen levels are low. They are able to breath directly from the surface because of that very reason. So they do not need that much flow. Since they are also lower level fish, the filter outlet shouldn't really affect the CK either.