How do I stop a bully?

[taeagan]

OK, here's our story....

We've got a 10 gallon tank with two monosebae's (sp?). From the get go, one of them has always been more aggressive towards the other. Chases him around the tank, nips at him, etc... He's now grown a bit bigger and the other one's fins are a bit ragged from the abuse. So we finally decided to try and do something about it.

One store near me told me that we had to add more mono's to the tank. Another store said that we needed a bigger tank. The store where we got them said that we should add another fish. So we got a little red swordtail and put him in there. Now, instead of chasing the smaller mono only some of the time, the bigger mono chases both of them all of the time. He stalks the tank constantly chasing after the other two and nipping at them.

It's not an issue of hiding spaces. There are places for them to all hide and chill out. The bigger mono has the best spot, but he still goes after the other two. Do they make fish quaaludes that we can give him??? What can we do?? Thanks.

Tom

[Fish33]

Is there a different/common name? I'm not familiar!!!

[taeagan]

These guys:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...cfm?pCatId=967

[cameraman_2]

I've heard of algea eaters starting to eat the fish and what one person did was hit him on the head with the other end of the fish net every time he whent after a fish and he stopped eating other fish. Just a thought.

[Scuba Kid]

thats not a good idea cameraman

[Fishfirst]

a 10 gallon tank? Those guys need much more than that. Thats why you are having aggression problems, they need around a 75 gallon tank, and I'd definately get 3 of them to spread the aggression... please, next time research these fish more before buying and take our advice before your fish stop growing and die. 8inches are there top size... you WANT them to get that big for a happy healthy fish.

[taeagan]

We spoke to the people in the pet store at length and were told that we would have no problem keeping two of them in our tank. I specifically asked them if the 10 gallon tank was enough and they said yes. That's why we got them.

We can't get a bigger tank and we can't return the fish. Guess we just have to see how it plays out then.

Thanks for your help.

[Fishfirst]

Thats too bad... another LFS giving bad advice. is there any way you can find them a new home? Someone with a large brackish tank? I wouldn't go to that LFS again.

[tep05]

i am having the same problem of agressiveness with 2 angel fish, the weaker one is dead. any solutions will be greatly apreciated here too.

[Fishfirst]

how big of a tank? Usually aggressiveness is either a numbers issue or a space issue. If its a big enough tank, get three or four angels... if its small, you might be best with just one.

[tep05]

lol, only a 10gallon

[Fishfirst]

then its a space issue. Angels need about 30 gallons when fully grown IMO.

[zack]

try a clear divider so it can see what its missing. after a few days, remove the divider and see what happens. if it returns to bullying, do it again. try it a few times and if it doesnt work, take it back to your fish shop and trade it in for something else you like...OR, get a bigger bully!

[Lexus]

The Mono Sebae grows very large and requires an aquarium of at least 50 gallons.

Swordtails should not be kept with monos. I would trade him in to a different LFS or sell them. A lot of pet stores dont know anything and just want to sell you something. They gave you horrible advice Im sorry. The monos will not live long in a 10g

as for the angelfish, he wont live long either in a 10.

[Vassili]

Yeah trusting LFS' isnt the best idea. It was a LFS that told me (a beginner at the time) that two oscars would be fine in a 10gal . Never mind, now they are in a 200gal, and i wouldnt trade em for the world!

[Pac-Man]

u guys arent being very smart at all.... As to replying to the first question in this thread, GET A BIGGER TANK, YOUR FISH WILL DIE IF U DONT, OR RETURN THEM TO YOUR LFS!!! ****I aasume you ****lfs is horrible though, since they told u to put these fish in a 10 gallon. You cant let it play out, all your fish will die in the end....

[cameraman_2]

hey it just sounded funny

[Thunderkiss]

Monos are schoolers, and generally go better in a marine tank. 10 gal is also far too small.
As for the angels, they should have 5+ to diffuse the agression.

[tep05]

i thought the angel would be fine because fish stop growing to their surroundings, right???

[redpaulhus]

I was hoping this was an "April Fools" post... people need to take the word of anybody trying to sell you anything with a grain of salt - not just LFS, but definately including LFS !

Most LFS don't pay well enough to keep really serious aquarists as full-time employees - I know I could never afford my fishroom on the wages from the local LFS even if I worked there 60 hours a week...
Many (not all, but many) LFS employees are working there instead of at Best Buy or Circuit City or Walmart or the local grocery store- and have about as much knowledge of fish as they would of computer parts or nutrition or floor cleaning supplies (would you ask the folks at Walmart which cleaning agent you could use on your new hardwood floors ?) Would you ask the stockboy at the supermarket what the nutritional difference is between two different brands of soup ?
(they're going to tell you either what they think you want to hear, or the brand that costs more or has a higher profit margin)

No animal (fish, bird, reptile or fuzzy) should be bought on impulse - they should always be researched first in reputable books and on reputable websites.

That being said - I agree with everyone else who said take the fish back and (once they've taken the fish back) politely tell the store owner why you're never coming back.
Then find a new store.