Endler Aggression

[Steve H.]

I recently picked up 6 endler's from my local lfs, and added them to my tank with 8 CPD's.

Everything thing seems well. The endlers stick together as do the CPDs, and each pretty much keep to themselves.

But, the endlers seem to be disappearing. At first I could only find 5, and now only 4. And, 2 of those 4 seem to be missing their dorsal fins. My tank is pretty heavily planted so at least one may be hiding. I can only try and get a count during feedings, but both species are so quick it is hard to say if I counted the same one twice. But, I have not found any bodies, or evidence of foul play.

The endlers do seem to chase each other as they tend to school more than the CPDs.

Who could be the culprit here?
Endlers taking each other, or a CPD sneek attack when the lights are off?

 

[OldMan47]

Endlers are about the most peaceful fish in any of my tanks. I seriously doubt they are causing any damage.

 

[Steve H.]

I didn't think so.

But, I solved the mystery before I came to work. Although they looked to big to fit through the slits I found one of my Endlers in the filter. I'm sure when I clean out my filter tomorrow I will find the other.
I will get a sponge or something to wrap around my filter intake to keep from losing any more.

And, on looking closer to the other 2 that I thought were missing there dorsal fins, they may just not have the electric blue markings the other 2 have. They might just be translucent with a little black. But I am pretty sure they all had that blue stripe??

 

[Steve H.]

Attn: OM47

Do you think my CPD's may be hunting down my Endlers?

I am now down to only 3 in just over 1 week. And, I only found 1 in the filter. The other 2 seemed to have vanished without a trace.

?

 

[OldMan47]

I have never kept CPDs so I don't know their habits or aggressiveness.

 

[Cazgar]

Cpd's are very timid fish,I doubt they're going after your endlers.

 

[Steve H.]

Thanks! I can see CPDs are pretty timid. I have to observe them from a distance. The minute I get close to the tank they scatter to the safety of the plants. But, you never know what's going on when the lights go out.

Kind of a mystery right now. I did find one in the filter, but 2 just seemed to vanish. 2 w/c and no sign...dead or alive.

Stumped
??

I might get another small tank for Endlers species only. They are a delightfully cool little fish! I did not expect that....

 

[Tankboomshazam]

maybe there are some hiding behind plants, or maybe a disease is killing the fish off, and other tank mates are eating them?