Sev taking out tetras at night?

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I

inssane

Gambusia
MFK Member
May 27, 2010
439
1
16
Chicago
2nd Rummynose in 4 days missing.
Red sev about 4" long. They seem to be missing right when I turn on the lights in the morning, where they were there when I turned them off at night.

I have 3 pristellas (those are in tact) and had 5 rummy nose, which there are 3 now.
The worse the sev ever does is rushes them to get them out of a territory, but that's it. He never pursues the fish, chases them, and doesn't seem to even want to eat them.

I have 10 of each planned, so here are the questions:
-Is it possible the sev is taking them out at night?
-If so why all the sudden? The rummies have been tank mates for around 3 weeks and the sev has been in the tank a little over a month.
-Is there safety in numbers? When I have 10 and 10, does this increase their odds of not being eaten (assuming that's the case)?

Water quality is fine, no drastic changes.
I haven't ruled out them simply dying from an illness I am not aware of, but seems odd.

Thanks!
Nick
 
Yes, your severum is most likely picking them off. I can almost guarantee that as soon as your light goes off, the sev starts stalking and picks them apart to eat.. Severums are not as innocent and friendly as people make out. I had a 8-9" sev that was trying to pick off a 3.5" long geo every night. Another MFK member now owns him.
 
Dammit
Just what I thought.
I am not sure how I will stock the rest of the tank now. I keep him VERY well fed, 3x a day and a different food each time.

He hasn't bothered the pristellas, should I just scrap the rummynose stocking and get a tetra shaped more like a pristella? I am thinking that they are harder to fit in his mouth than the rummies.

This sucks because I love the rummies in the tank.
Or should I just continue to stock full with 10 and 10 like planned and hope that there is safety in numbers?

edit -- or maybe I should stick with 10 schoolers and get another biggish tankmate. I considered 2 sevs, but I am not comfortable with that idea in a 55g, because they will still argue.
N
 
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'd recommend saving the ones that are left by putting them in their own tank. The sev will most likely stalk them all down eventually, no matter how many there are.. Cichlids never get full.....ever. :grinno: I think your sev has proven that he/she doesn't want them in the tank, but rather in the belly. lol

Next time the light goes off, sneak back in 15-20 minutes or so later with a flashlight and I'm sure you'll see it for yourself.
 
I was prepared to possibly lose some while judging the character of this Sev. I am just glad that I didn't stock it with another $40 worth of "food".

I think I will ride out the pristellas (only ones not touched, and they are higher backed) and play it by ear.
I can't just have one sev in the tank with a pleco and botia - I have to look into my options.

Any input from experience? Working with a 55g and obviously the sev is staying.
Maybe I will name him Dr. Lechter
 
my pair of sevs did well witha school of 20 rummynoses for almost a year until I went on vacation for a week. I came back to two very happy sevs and only six rummynoses. the remaining six did well for a few more months until the male sev hit 8" than they started disappearing again. I ended up giving the remaining three rummynoses away and replacing them with some hemiodus
 
I have no experience with them in a community setting other than what I mentioned. I rid myself of the sev after the attempted murder.
 
How coould I get rid of this


I should have figured, he looks shady sittin by that stone, lol
 
lol! He does look pretty evil!
 
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