Cichlidae Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 More a pondering than anything else, I use Rainbowfish as dithers to break agression in about 1/2 of my tanks and they generally do a briliant job, except the western rainbow in my Blue dolphin/ Ob peacock tank. At 1/4 or less of the size of the biggest fish in the tank and on par with a few youngsters that needed a temporary home. He takes no crap from anyone in the tank. Its incredible to watch him keep the youngins in line, stir up fish 2-3 times his size and colour and flair back at all the cichlids. he is the only rainbow left in that tank I wanted to remove him but he just loves it too much. I dont have the heart to tell him he is not a cichlid, I am sure if he had a mate she would be the first rainbow to hold in her mouth! has anyone else seen this sort of behavior before? I find it amazing to watch this sort of seemingly strange behavior. the joy of fish keeping. Cichlidae. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noyakfat Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 G'day Cichlidae, I have a mixed community 8x2x2 tank stocked as follows: 5 x black banded rainbows 3 x McCulloch's rainbows 5 x fly specked hardyheads 8 x tiger barbs 4 x danios (zebra and leopard) 2 x kribensis 2 x common bristlenose As you can see, it is a bit of a hodge podge of a mixture. Anyway, the barbs are of course very boisterous. However, I have noticed on MANY occasions that if they get a bit too pushy with a (black banded) rainbow then the rainbow does not hesitate to quickly turn around and give the offenders a very sharp smack. I am in no doubt who is the real boss here, even if the barbs like to put on the impression that it is them. I've also noticed that the hardyheads are also quick to get tough if they feel a bit closed in by the barbs. Incidentally, if you are chasing any of the above fish let me know. I am planning on destocking the community and moving my single jaguar cichlid into the 8ft tank in the near future. Gotta sell off the list of fish above first. Merry Christmas, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cichlidae Posted December 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 They certainly are tougher than I gave them credit for. Go the aussies!!! I am unfortunately in the same boat 14 tanks becoming overstocked. I need to sell off a few to organise myself better. being relatively new to breeding in the scheme of things has resulted in too many fish too quick. a far more suitable problem than not enough fish. Cichlidae. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
