What to do with a bully?

[Dis]

Hey guys

Been awhile since I've posted. My bass have gotten larger around 12" and now I'm starting to run into some problems.

6 orinoco bass started half the size of the 3 xingu. The orinoco have caught up to the smallest xi guys in size.

Now I have one orinoco that is always black and bullies the other fish. Tonight one xingu was in the corner fairly badly beaten after just 20 hours. I removed the smallest the beaten one but I've seen the bully go after the others before.

Is there anything I can do?

Thanks for any advice as my groups move into full adult size.

Tank is 72 x 30 wide by 24. Temp at 79

Here is a video. The bully is black and in the center of the video

 

[tlindsey]

Hey guys

Been awhile since I've posted. My bass have gotten larger around 12" and now I'm starting to run into some problems.

6 orinoco bass started half the size of the 3 xingu. The orinoco have caught up to the smallest xi guys in size.

Now I have one orinoco that is always black and bullies the other fish. Tonight one xingu was in the corner fairly badly beaten after just 20 hours. I removed the smallest the beaten one but I've seen the bully go after the others before.

Is there anything I can do?

Thanks for any advice as my groups move into full adult size.

Tank is 72 x 30 wide by 24. Temp at 79

Here is a video. The bully is black and in the center of the video

Definitely some territorial behavior going on. Tbh don't have experience with PBass but I think it's a male ready to spawn.

 

[Nm1]

Definitely some territorial behavior going on. Tbh don't have experience with PBass but I think it's a male ready to spawn.

1. Fillet the bully and season with salt/pepper

2. Dredge in flour.

3. sauté in parsley butter until golden.

4. Add a little white, wine reduce.

5. Throw in dice tomato. Shake the pan and finish with a squeeze of lemon.

6. Eat the bully in front of the tank as a warning to others.

You are now a boss cause you acted like one.

 

[tlindsey]

1. Fillet the bully and season with salt/pepper

2. Dredge in flour.

3. sauté in parsley butter until golden.

4. Add a little white, wine reduce.

5. Throw in dice tomato. Shake the pan and finish with a squeeze of lemon.

6. Eat the bully in front of the tank as a warning to others.

You are now a boss cause you acted like one.

?

 

[Nm1]

1. Fillet the bully and season with salt/pepper

2. Dredge in flour.

3. sauté in parsley butter until golden.

4. Add a little white, wine reduce.

5. Throw in dice tomato. Shake the pan and finish with a squeeze of lemon.

6. Eat the bully in front of the tank as a warning to others.

You are now a boss cause you acted like one.

Seriously thou once a PB gets aggressive like this it’s very hard to chill him out in a group. I sadly had to remove some of mine for the same reason. A peaceful tank is a more enjoyable tank. Big aggressive tanks can be cool but the stress is Brutal when you see torn fins and scars in your tanks.

 

[Dis]

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering though if I remove him will the next one just take his place?

This one does seem a li

 

[TheWolfman]

Orino’s have a bad rep for being nasty. It sounds like your running out of space for them and it’s time to make a call.

 

[Jayc]

The problem you’ve got is if you remove the Orino another will probably take its place as the bully!
9 bass in that size tank is overkill I’d reduce it down to around 5 and see if that helps.
Also, I always keep a more aggressive fish in the tank with my bass this usually (well for me) works. I currently have a Male Atabapo Pike in my setup and he keeps the bass in check. You’ve got to be careful though as this can backfire as cichlids each have there own personality ?

 

[Dis]

The problem you’ve got is if you remove the Orino another will probably take its place as the bully!
9 bass in that size tank is overkill I’d reduce it down to around 5 and see if that helps.
Also, I always keep a more aggressive fish in the tank with my bass this usually (well for me) works. I currently have a Male Atabapo Pike in my setup and he keeps the bass in check. You’ve got to be careful though as this can backfire as cichlids each have there own personality ?

Thanks for the advice. I'll bring down the numbers and see if that helps