Boeseman Bully

[kathleen]

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me with a problem I'm having with my new tank.

Recently I purchased 4 Boesemani rainbowfish and a RTBS for my 50g tank. All was well for the first week and then the largest rainbowfish became the tank bully. He (I say 'he' but I'm not sure) keeps the other 3 cowering in a corner practically swimming on top of each other and when one gets out of line he nips and chases them back into place. The only time they venture out of hiding is to eat. Today he has also taken to bullying the RTBS around who is very peaceful and swims around all over the tank, eating algae off the plant and glass.

Since I'm not sure of the gender of my rainbowfish I'm not sure what to do. I have 2 that are larger (3"), one of which is the bully, and have that rainbowfish look to their heads (small head with a high back) and the other 2 are about 1/3 smaller. Other than that their colouring is all pretty much the same. If anyone has any advice for sexing these fish please let me know as that may explain the problem. I know pictures would help, I'll try to get some posted.

I don't know if the store I bought them from can exchange it for a different one or not or even take him back. Should I add more rainbowfish or remove the bully?
Other than my 10g QT I have nowhere else to put him and I don't know anyone with a tank, besides they need to be kept in groups as I understand.

The tank is planted, pH 8, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 20, temp 27.
Please if anyone has any advice I would appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[The-Wolf]

The only thing I can think of for the odd behaviour is
your pH. Melanotaenia boesemani prefer a lower pH
with 6.5 being the ideal.

Also male tend to be territorial with eachother so pehaps adding
2 or 3 females to the group may help

sexing
When in breeding coloration, the blues on the anterior part of the male turn to a dark navy blue.

 

[kathleen]

Thanks for the reply The Wolf. Unfortunately I can't adjust my pH without CO2 injection, which I'm not set up for, or with chemicals which I don't want to use.

I'll post a picture and see if anyone can tell me if these are males or females. As these are very active fish this is the best picture I could get.

 

[Mad Duff]

Hi Kathleen, the best ways of sexing boesemani rainbows are:

Males tend to have deeper bodies

Males tend to have more intense colours

Males (in my experience) tend to have a more pointed rear edge of the second dorsal fin.

Also a good way is to watch the fish first thing on a morning especially when the lights are first put on because if the male is in condition to breed and wants to breed he will have a vivid stripe of colour running up his snout to the front edge of the first dorsal fin.

Looking at the pic, if I had to guess I would say the top one is a male and possibly the bottom one.

Mark

 

[kathleen]

Thanks for the tips Mark. Yes, I would agree the one on the top is a male, he's the one causing the trouble. The others all have pointed edges to their rear dorsal fins so perhaps they are all males and the smaller ones are just younger. The smaller one directly beneath the one on top I thought might be a female and it is the one he picks on the most. I'll have a closer look in the morning when I turn the lights on.

So then adding some females would occupy the aggressive male? If I added another large male would he just become the dominant one or would they divide up the space? His territory is the whole tank. Everything I read about these fish indicated that they were peaceful community fish and got along with each other and other species. I really hesitate to add my cherry barbs and honey gouramis which are currently in my 10g QT tank which I planned on adding eventually.

Sigh, it's a shame really as these are beautiful fish and I hate that they have to live this way. I think I'll give the store a call and see what their policy is regarding returning fish. Can't hurt to ask.
Wish me luck and if anyone else has any suggestions let me know.

Thanks again.

 

[The-Wolf]

there are many ways to naturaly lower the pH
check out this topic for some of them
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=59467&hl=

 

[Sanj]

there are many ways to naturaly lower the pH
check out this topic for some of them
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=59467&hl=

I do not believe boesamnii do need lower ph infact they generally prefer alkaline waters with higher pH. In thier natural environment they have been found in pH as low as 6.5 to a high of pH 9!


http/members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/Melanotaenia.htm