Holy Catfish!

[Akasha72]

I'm in shock!
 
Tonight when I came into the room I found my two male ancistrus cats knocking the heck out of each other. I've never seen, nor heard of this behaviour before. The rest of my stock were hiding in corners utterly terrified. Well, I was looking for a tank bully and it looks like I've found it.
 
I've managed to net one and get it in my breeding net and I've rung my dad and he's on his way to collect him. There's no way these two can live together now. I'd only asked my dad a couple weeks ago if he wanted one of them ... but I was joking! It looks now like the joke was on me!!
 
Has anyone else had this with ancistrus cats? I've never ever heard of them fighting 

 

[Blubble37]

I have a male and a female in the same tank. No fights, they know the other exists and they've chosen their bits of the tank to inhabit. They even switch occasionally

 

[Akasha72]

I'm still in shock Bubble37, They were bought together - brothers I presume - they've lived together for at least 3 years. Only last week they were sharing a lump of courgette. They did live at opposite sides of the tank but I never saw that as a problem. To see them smashing their heads into each other was shocking and upsetting ... I actually want to cry! I'm just astounded.
 
One has now gone home with my Dad. I'm worried about him though. My dad's tank is only 50 litres (2 ft long). According to PFK a 2ft tank is the minimum they can live in but I'm still worried. I've told my Dad to keep an eye on his water for a few days knowing their bio load can be heavy, and I've sent him with some algae wafers. My heart is going to be in my mouth for days now until I know he's okay.
 
Yeah ... I'm pretty deverstated 

 

[fluttermoth]

All male 'plecs' are pretty territorial and will fight, I'm afraid.

 

[Akasha72]

really? wow, first I've ever heard of them fighting ... tonights excapades proved it though I will miss him, but I won't miss him eating my amazon swords

 

[Paradise3]

Yep, all males plecos are territorial. Bristlenose can live together sometimes if they are in a big enough tank but a lot of the time they will fight(two males anyway) and if they have females that makes the problem a lot worse.

 

[Baccus]

Not only will the males fight, I have also seen the females have the odd tussle as well, but no damage done.
 
Hope both your males are ok, and the one that went to your fathers settles in well.

 

[Paradise3]

Not only will the males fight, I have also seen the females have the odd tussle as well, but no damage done.
 
Hope both your males are ok, and the one that went to your fathers settles in well.

 
I once read something about two "females" fighting and it turned out to be two very feminine looking males? So do actual females fight as well? I have also heard about breeding males and females fighting a lot too.

 

[Akasha72]

I've just got off the phone with my dad and he said he's gone into the tank fine and as found himself a 'hole' around the back of a piece of bogwood. And the plus side? My dad has a female black ruby barb that's killed all her tank mates except one ... she's a territorial ***** ... but since adding the ancistrus she's wound her neck in and has allowed the other female out of the corner! 

 

[Blubble37]

I've just got off the phone with my dad and he said he's gone into the tank fine and as found himself a 'hole' around the back of a piece of bogwood. And the plus side? My dad has a female black ruby barb that's killed all her tank mates except one ... she's a territorial jerk ... but since adding the ancistrus she's wound her neck in and has allowed the other female out of the corner! 

adding a giant catfish with a mouth the size of a dinner plate would do that to me too, they're probably prety scary to tankmates - they're big bags of muscle

 

[Akasha72]

well yeah ... perhaps my boy can be the policeman of the tank! 

 

[Akasha72]

well my Dad arrived at my flat today and my first question was "how's my fish doing?". He replied "it's not gonna work, he's torn my tank apart over night". So I rang my lfs and they've taken him in and are going to find him a nice new home. I've told them about his antics last night so they're aware he's a grumpy catfish so hopefully he'll get a home with a nice lady friend or a home without another catfish to fight with.
 
I'm still in shock and feeling a bit downcast too

 

[Blubble37]

well my Dad arrived at my flat today and my first question was "how's my fish doing?". He replied "it's not gonna work, he's torn my tank apart over night". So I rang my lfs and they've taken him in and are going to find him a nice new home. I've told them about his antics last night so they're aware he's a grumpy catfish so hopefully he'll get a home with a nice lady friend or a home without another catfish to fight with.
 
I'm still in shock and feeling a bit downcast too

probably unhappy with the change of environment, how big was it?

 

[Akasha72]

he was full sized so about 4-5 inches including tail. He was well chubby too! The lfs were happy to have him and I left them aclimatizing him. 
 
In fairness to him, Dad's 2ft tank is right on the minimum they should be kept in and I didn't feel right about him being kept in such a confined space so I hope he gets taken by someone with a nice big tank

 

[Blubble37]

he was full sized so about 4-5 inches including tail. He was well chubby too! The lfs were happy to have him and I left them aclimatizing him. 
 
In fairness to him, Dad's 2ft tank is right on the minimum they should be kept in and I didn't feel right about him being kept in such a confined space so I hope he gets taken by someone with a nice big tank

if i didn't already have a male (who is ever so slightly bigger) i'd probably swipe it off them