Fish Getting Attacked!

[engarman07]

Hi! I am new the forum, and I am having some problems with my 20 gallon aquarium. One of my fish has been attacking my other fish for about the last week. Every morning I wake up and a different fish is dead. They usually have a hunk out of the tail, or something like that to suggest they have been attacked. I have moved some of my fish to a ten gallon fish so they do not get hurt, but I cannot figure out who is attacking who. I am new to aquariums, and it is frustrating to have fish getting attacked!

In my aquarium I have:
2 Angelfish
1 Red-tailed Shark
5 Neon Tetras (I had more before they were killed)
3 Zebra Fish (I had 4, but I had to move one into a 10 gallon tank because he lost an eye)

I originally had one angel fish, but my sister gave me one of her angel fish. The immediately hit it off and go everywhere in the tank together. I have been reading that if angelfish form a mated pair that they can become aggressive. I am wondering if this is why my fish are getting attacked. I am just not sure if it is the angelfish or the red-tailed shark. The attacks seem to be only happening at night. I am unsure what to do! Any help would be appreciated!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

The prime suspect is... Red Tail Shark.

Often bought for its lovely colours, but it needs very resilient tankmates, generally speaking of at least the same size.

 

[engarman07]

So do you think I should remove the red-tailed shark from the tank?

 

[england]

Is you tank fully cycled?
wondering if there dying, then redtails coming along trying to clean up. cannot see a redtail removing chunks from another fish, angel fish would be abit more likely in my oppinion, esp if a breeding pair, however, the tanks not really big enough for this type of stocking.

 

[chishnfips]

Second the angels. They are probably munching on your neons

 

[engarman07]

I feel like there is so much I need to learn about aquariums! I did not realize my tank was over stocked. I believe that the tank is fully cycled. I am getting pretty defeated with my aquarium, I just do not know what to do. I also believe that it is the angelfish that are attacking other fish...they recently have seemed very aggressive. When I feed my fish I usually tap on the glass to get their attention if they do not notice. Last night when I tapped on the glass one of the angelfish tried to attack my finger. Do you have any suggestions...I know I have a lot to learn.

 

[chishnfips]

I would possibly rehome the angels, a 20 gallon is maybe only just big enough for them, not just purely for over stocking reasons but more for their terratories especially if they are breeding. The larger the tank the better for them is my opinion.

 

[elisew]

Don`t feel too downhearted, you`re not the first and certainly won`t be the last who asks for advice. We all have to start somewhere and you`re lucky you found this forum......it`s great and the members will try to help you as best as they can.

Do please take note of the advice you`re given though, as hard as it is to face rehoming some of your fish at times the members here will only advise you for the health and safety of the fish but also for you to learn and be able to take pride and pleaasure in your tank

 

[engarman07]

I appreciate the advice...I would like to re-home the angelfish, but I do not know who I would be able to give them to. Any advice on how to find homes for fish?

 

[elisew]

You could try advertising them in the classified section of the forum? Or you could take them to your local fish shop, explain what`s happening and ask them to take them off your hands?
Sometimes the shop may give you a small amount of credit towards buying other fish but they don`t usually buy them from you as such, it all depends on what the staff are like.

Would it not be an option to possibly get another bigger tank to keep the Angels separately??