KateW
Fish Fanatic
Hi Everyone
I currently have a young bristlenose plec in my 185 litre tank. I'm pretty sure it is a male as there are small bristles developing all around the front of his face. He is about 3 inches long, having tripled in size in the last 3 months.
All has been well until recently, when I notice that he tends to get a bit stroppy with the other fish when there is food on the sand. He will sneak up near the food and then speed towards the other fish and shove them away from the food, and chase them away again if they try to come back. I think I have noticed a couple of nipped fins here and there. Is this just usual healthy competition for food or a bit more aggressive than usual?
Other stock is:
1 Angel fish (50p sized at present)
5 peppered cories + 2 tank bred juvies
1 panda cory (sole survivor of a bit of a plague)
3 guppies
5 neons
I know the stocking isn't perfect but it was out of necessity and will be adjusted as natural wastage allows.
Tank has play sand substrate, and is moderately (?) planted with an open area at the front, with three small caves, two pieces of bogwood and a couple of moss balls.
Food is a mix of algae wafers, fresh veggies, bloodworm pellets and jelly, and just regular tropical flakes.
Apart from putting two batches of food at either end of the tank, is there anything I can do by way of rescaping / reorganising / feeding routine to reduce the aggression and keep everybody happy? Any help or suggestions appreciated!
I currently have a young bristlenose plec in my 185 litre tank. I'm pretty sure it is a male as there are small bristles developing all around the front of his face. He is about 3 inches long, having tripled in size in the last 3 months.
All has been well until recently, when I notice that he tends to get a bit stroppy with the other fish when there is food on the sand. He will sneak up near the food and then speed towards the other fish and shove them away from the food, and chase them away again if they try to come back. I think I have noticed a couple of nipped fins here and there. Is this just usual healthy competition for food or a bit more aggressive than usual?
Other stock is:
1 Angel fish (50p sized at present)
5 peppered cories + 2 tank bred juvies
1 panda cory (sole survivor of a bit of a plague)
3 guppies
5 neons
I know the stocking isn't perfect but it was out of necessity and will be adjusted as natural wastage allows.
Tank has play sand substrate, and is moderately (?) planted with an open area at the front, with three small caves, two pieces of bogwood and a couple of moss balls.
Food is a mix of algae wafers, fresh veggies, bloodworm pellets and jelly, and just regular tropical flakes.
Apart from putting two batches of food at either end of the tank, is there anything I can do by way of rescaping / reorganising / feeding routine to reduce the aggression and keep everybody happy? Any help or suggestions appreciated!
