Tavel

I've had a pair of Congo Tetras in the large tank for a month or so, and noticed their fins getting ratty. It doesn't really look like fin rot, it looks like something is attacking them....but none of the other fish show signs of injury except occasionally the gourami (but his fins heal up in a couple of days).

I DO have semi-aggressive fish like a gourami and buenos aires tetras...but I've never seen them show aggression toward the congos.

But now that I have the Congos in a hospital tank with some meds, I have a feeling they're hurting each other. Would such aggressive behavior arise between two males in a very large, well planted tank (w/ fake plants)?

I'm going to wait a few weeks to see if the fins heal up. If some tank mate is damaging them, they should heal quickly in it's absence. If they're hurting each other then they wont' heal or will heal slowly.

If it's some other tank mate, who would be my prime suspect?

If it's congo on congo aggression, should I get two more to curb the aggression? (My water parameters would allow me to get two more).

susitna-flower

Congo tetras are one of my favorite fish....

They are suppose to be kept in schools however, and would suggest the aggression could be from not having the recommended number...I believe it is at least 5 or 6...since they are large fish, you will have to adjust this number to the size of your tank.

I would also have a mix of males and females. The females don't have the really long fins, but are still lovely fish. I have never had them show aggression , but have only kept them in with rainbows, not other tetras.....Good Luck.

Tavel

They're the smallest fish in that tank, they're not big! lol.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep an eye on them and see where the aggression is coming from. If the time comes, I'll try to get 2 females and give my boys a date night. Put on some smooth jazz and see what happens...hehehe

Shawnie

LOVE the jazz idea...why didnt I think of that with my convicts!LOL

Tavel

I'm going to start a new wave in breeding techniques, lol.

Anyway, I checked up on the congos this morning and the submissive one looks like he took a spin in the blender. They're definitely beating up on each other. I put that poor guy in a breeder cage, much to his dismay, and I'm fixin' to purchase the new congos this weekend or next.

Tavel

I picked up two more Congos today. I asked for two females, but the fellow said he didn't know anything about congos and asked me to point them out. How did I fair, is this a female



(the specs are micro-bubbles in suspension. I love that powerhead!)

susitna-flower

It LOOKS like a female, but it also doesn't look very happy....is it already in your tank? How are they getting along.

Tavel

wait...so is it female, or you can't tell? I think it might be because the one male I put back in with them has developed some nice color. (The blender fish is still healing, another week or so at least).

You're right, it's not terribly happy...but that's how my others looked when I bought them too. It's in my tank now and has adjusted very well...as usual

I'm sure it'll start looking much better in a few days after it gets some proper feedings and has some swimming room.

EDIT: I found my Congo's mating today, the new ones are definitely female. I didn't even need to put on the smooth jazz!

What would I have to do to breed fish? I've never even considered it until now. I'm a little reluctant to buy much equipment because I don't know if they'd mate outside the large tank...and I'm pretty sure the catfish would eat any eggs well before they hatched.