Bullying Gibbicep

[Arfie]

Hi,

I'm a newbie so please go easy on me.

I have a 10 Gallon (UK) tank and have had a single Gibbicep (Dyson) in for about a week, s/he has been very shy and not moving around very much, although eating well, yesterday I went to same LFS and got another to keep it company. Unfortunatey instead of appearing to be happy with a new friend Dyson has been pushing the new one all over the tank.

LFS said they are happy to take it back and either take another or a different species or even give me my money back.

I don't know whether Dyson will settle down after he's happy that he's the boss and the new one knows it, or will he constantly chase the new boy around? I'm concerned that the new one will get too stressed or even injured then ill.

What do you guys think?

Should I give them more time? if so how long? if not should I just get one back to the LFS and replaced with either another Gibbi or something else?

Thanks
Arfie

 

[ryan]

A 10g tanks is way to small for a Gibbiceps Plec I am afraid, they will reach 12-18". Alot of Plecs are also terriotorial and Gibbiceps are a prime example especailly when kept in a confined space. They do best when kept on their own, don't worry if the fish doesn't come out much in the first few days as Plecs are nocturnal fish that take a long time to adapt to tank life and will often hide away for months. To ensure they are feed it is best to feed before lights out. Best of luck.

 

[Arfie]

Thanks for your reply Ryan, I am aware that the Gibbi will outgrow the tank and agreed with the LFS that they will buy them back when they become too big before I bought, one of my mates used to buy and sell his back to the same people when he kept a tank.

Unfortunately it appears that I didn't do enough research when I decided to get a second Gibbi and will be returning one back to LFS tomorrow .

I would like another cleaner though, I thought about Albino Plecs, but from other notes on here they appear to like/need a sand substrate, whereas I have small gravel both rounded and slightly sharp.

Any other suggestions as a replacement for Gibbi 2?

Thanks
Arfie

 

[snowyangel]

Smaller algae eaters that are under 7 inches : Siamese algae eater, Flying Fox, Ottocinclus(aka "Otto") , Gold Banded pleco, Bushy Nose pleco. Or if you want small bottom cleaners, Cories and various Shrimps are a good(and safe) start.