Very odd fish behavior? Please leave your thoughts.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

CrypticSins

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 20, 2006
109
0
0
45
Mississippi
I posted this as a reply to another thread, but I really wanted to make a thread out of it so I can be sure that everyone has a chance to talk about the behavior I have noticed in my tank.

Tank: 100 Gallon Amazon Setup
Primary Fish: Elongatus Piranha - 5''
Tank Mates: 12 Guppies, some feeder some fancy
2 Neon Tetras
2 Glow Light Tetras
1 Alage Eater ( common, not a pleco )

And 1 very unlucky Feeder Goldfish

---------------------------

Well, aside from the fact that my elongatus is apparently different from most, seeing as I can have a dozen guppies swimming around just fine for the past few months with nothing happening to ONE. I also decided to try putting a few other cheap fish in as trials, long finned zebra Dinos was the lastest I added, and once again, the Elongatus is noting paying them a bit of attention, I also have some neon tetras ( 2 ) , and some Glow Light Tetras ( 2 ), and a common Alage Eater in there. All of these other fish have had no problems mixing with my elong, and it's very shocking and very very very odd, as Elongs have the rep. of being VERY intolerant to tank mates. So I guess it "CAN" happen, just reguardless of a species reputation they are subject to having their own personalities. While I am certainly aware that one day my Elong may just go on a killing rampage and all will be corrected, But as for now, he doesn't really seem to care about anything that he could eat in one bite. I find that observing that other fish activities while being in a tank with a piranha is kinda.... "neat". For example... When I put in a feeder goldfish ( which I am about to stop doing before too long ) the guppies will actually school together and attack the goldfish kinda trying to corner him with the piranha, being as they will feast off the remains after the piranha has his fill. And it's a pattern with them, they corner the goldfish in with the piranha, and will literally hold the goldfish there for long periods of time. It's very odd to sit and watch. I'm going to make a new thread with this observation as well to get other peoples thoughts
 
i think it is very very odd how the piranha is acting... usually when they are hungry they eat what ever swims by... maybe it was trainned to only eat non living food..
 
MoJo said:
you must be one very imaginative guy! your guppy are just scared and flock to gether....... they panic and go in the corner with the new fish. Guppies as a team? LOL stop feeding your P for a few days........ and you will see the guppies get eaten. P not eating guppies now because guppies are faster and harder to eat than the gold fish....... damn....... I can't believe you got me to read this nonsense.

"While I am certainly aware that one day my Elong may just go on a killing rampage and all will be corrected"


corrected?..... it's been corrected see above explanation.

:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL:


Well, seeing as you have not read many of my post before, I'll correect your ignorance. I have let my Elong go for 4 days without feeding it a goldfish and he never has turned a jaw to them. I post this becuase like your smart ass self, I find it hard to believe and not a normal pattern behavior... I believe I've said enough.. But thank you for your time in posting a reply.. :screwy:
 
I find it odd as well, but if the small fish recognize the goldfish as eventual food, I think it might be possible.
 
I doubt that they are herding the goldfish, they are not cooperative feeders, but they could easily be hanging around near it waiting for scraps like pilot fish do with sharks.
I once had a small LMB that lived with neons and did not eat them although it did eat gambusia around the same size.
 
Maybe it simply doesn't like the taste of guppy.
 
Hi,

I am new here trying to read about piranhas and I came across this tread. I have a BP and its about 4 months old. I have it set up in a 20 Gallon Long with an an aqua clear filter and a power head with a bit of rocks and gravel for decor.

When I first got it, it would not eat anything for a few days. I waited 2 days and put gupies in with him. It wouldn't even eat the guppies. Till I just pulled them out and left 1 in with it. This guppy was about 1" Inch in lenght 3 cm round.

The next day the BP swam backwards and hid behind the rocks and just did one of those quick spurts and bit the guppy in half. The guppy was still alive only with the head and two side fins were left rolling arround in the bottom of the tank. THis guppy was swimming arround till the next day then the BP just swallowed it.

The experience of seeing that was pretty cool. Sorry for the extensive post.

Thank You,
 
I use "swordtails" as feeders for my Brandti,he lets them swim around and get comfortable al l day(as long as there is light in the room)but once the room darkens its on!!!I find half fishes floating up top of my tank. :WHOA:
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com