Switching from live

[Aw3s0m3]

I think my payara's are finally at the size where I can start switching them off of live, but I have a concern. I have 3 scombs and 2 arms. Should I separate them during this process? I've heard stories about other's attacking each other when they get too hungry. I feed mine every other day to every 3 days and sometimes, after just one day, they'll completely f*** the other fish up. I've seen them chase each other around sometimes as well, but have never seen any actual damage done to one another. Thanks guys!


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[lix.ma14]

i would separate them. They can get cranky when hungry especially when you say that they like to chase each other around. How big are the fish and tank?

 

[djaalix]

Tough to say ... I'd say a well fed fish is likely to be less aggressive, due to the lack of competative drive, however it doesnt mean they wont be aggressive at all, just means they'll be less aggressive than if they were desperate and hungry ... I'd say squabbles are inevitable, and the risk goes up as the fish get hungrier, however if they are relatively close in size, and they cant actually eat eachother, then I'd say go for it ... I think with more fish theres a higher probability that 1 will cave in, and in theory, then act as a teacher fish and the others will follow .... I think the risks now of them fighting as they get hungrier are risks that will always be there anyway, you'd just be prolonging the inevitable by separating and then starving rather then doing it together .... if that makes any sense

Sent from my SCH-I605 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[Aw3s0m3]

i would separate them. They can get cranky when hungry especially when you say that they like to chase each other around. How big are the fish and tank?

They're in a 40b right now. I know its pretty small to have 5 in but unfortunately I don't have a bigger tank besides the 150g and the endli in there already tried to eat a scomb when I put them in there so I'm gonna wait till they hit about 7"-8" before I try putting them in there again. It'll still be pretty risky at that size cuz he's around 14". I've been doing 50% wc every other day though to make up for the large stock of the tank to keep the water clean all the time. At the rate the arms are growing though, they'll be able to go in the 150 in no time.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Aw3s0m3]

Tough to say ... I'd say a well fed fish is likely to be less aggressive, due to the lack of competative drive, however it doesnt mean they wont be aggressive at all, just means they'll be less aggressive than if they were desperate and hungry ... I'd say squabbles are inevitable, and the risk goes up as the fish get hungrier, however if they are relatively close in size, and they cant actually eat eachother, then I'd say go for it ... I think with more fish theres a higher probability that 1 will cave in, and in theory, then act as a teacher fish and the others will follow .... I think the risks now of them fighting as they get hungrier are risks that will always be there anyway, you'd just be prolonging the inevitable by separating and then starving rather then doing it together .... if that makes any sense

Sent from my SCH-I605 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

I don't quite get what you're saying. Sorry. I understand the point you're making though. So are you saying to leave them together so whichever one starts taking first teaches the others or by separating them, I will be taking away the opportunity for them to attack each other, but when they're back together, their natural drive will still cause them to pick on each other so regardless, they will always harass each other?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[djaalix]

Pretty much ... if they're going to attack eachother while starving I'd say chances are their going to attack eachother eventually either way ... when dealing with fish that have nasty teeth small attacks can become a missing eye, which sucks, but thats the risk to have fish with teeth ... people have kept scombs together and have done well, and Armatus as well so its possible ... I'd say scombs and armatus together is not going to last forever, the Armatus will outgrow and bully, at the least, possibly eat later on ... but I think if their all the same size now, I'd say keep them together when starving, since it will most likely increase the likelihood of success

Sent from my SCH-I605 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[Aw3s0m3]

Pretty much ... if they're going to attack eachother while starving I'd say chances are their going to attack eachother eventually either way ... when dealing with fish that have nasty teeth small attacks can become a missing eye, which sucks, but thats the risk to have fish with teeth ... people have kept scombs together and have done well, and Armatus as well so its possible ... I'd say scombs and armatus together is not going to last forever, the Armatus will outgrow and bully, at the least, possibly eat later on ... but I think if their all the same size now, I'd say keep them together when starving, since it will most likely increase the likelihood of success

Sent from my SCH-I605 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

Oh ya. My plan was never to keep them together for life. The scombs were gonna stay in the 150g and I was in the process of saving up for an upgrade. I don't think I can even keep the armatus' for life anymore cuz my plan for upgrading has been delayed due to a recent decline in clients. Hopefully I'll pick up more soon that way I'll have the $$$ for a bigger tank.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[lix.ma14]

They're in a 40b right now. I know its pretty small to have 5 in but unfortunately I don't have a bigger tank besides the 150g and the endli in there already tried to eat a scomb when I put them in there so I'm gonna wait till they hit about 7"-8" before I try putting them in there again. It'll still be pretty risky at that size cuz he's around 14". I've been doing 50% wc every other day though to make up for the large stock of the tank to keep the water clean all the time. At the rate the arms are growing though, they'll be able to go in the 150 in no time.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

there will be a high chance of aggression especially in a smaller sized tank. The fish will have no place to run except bang its head on the glass.

 

[djaalix]

I disagree ... sometimes a small tank can hurt, but it can also leave no room for fish to form a territory .... its impossible to defend a territory if while you chase 1 off 3 others come in ... its been shown that confined space with lots of fish can actually help aggression, but wont help water quality ... who knows which will happen until you try I guess ... I started with a 40 gallon breeder, and didnt see aggression until they went into the 220 .... whether 5 fish is enough to reduce aggression in payara, or at least reduce the chance of them ganging up on 1, I dont know ... I have never noticed my vampires get so aggressive toward eachother, or anyone else, that they cause serious harm ... just nudge out of the way ... others have had more brutal stories, so it comes down to try it, watch closely, and if things get ugly have a back up plan set

Sent from my SCH-I605 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[Aw3s0m3]

I disagree ... sometimes a small tank can hurt, but it can also leave no room for fish to form a territory .... its impossible to defend a territory if while you chase 1 off 3 others come in ... its been shown that confined space with lots of fish can actually help aggression, but wont help water quality ... who knows which will happen until you try I guess ... I started with a 40 gallon breeder, and didnt see aggression until they went into the 220 .... whether 5 fish is enough to reduce aggression in payara, or at least reduce the chance of them ganging up on 1, I dont know ... I have never noticed my vampires get so aggressive toward eachother, or anyone else, that they cause serious harm ... just nudge out of the way ... others have had more brutal stories, so it comes down to try it, watch closely, and if things get ugly have a back up plan set

Sent from my SCH-I605 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

I've heard of this with African cichlids. In large groups I guess they're way less aggressive because of the numbers.

I guess my backup plan is if they start getting aggressive, I have to go back to live because I don't have another spare tank besides a 10g. If things get bad, I'll just wait till the arms get big enough for the 150g and start doing the switch from there since the arms are way more aggressive than the scombs.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app