Channa Not Getting Along.

[crayfishjamie]

Hi ihave had my 2 channa bleheri for about 4 months now, there was a gap of 2 weeks before i got the second one, when i put the second one in the tank there was fighting straight away, this lasted about an hour then they just kept away from each other for about a month, then the second one managed to escape the tank, luckily i found him befoe it was too late and he recovered. Then it was bliss for about 2 months, always together and seemed very happy with each other, then all of a sudden the one that didnt escape started bullying the other, the tank is well stuctured with loads of plants, surface cover and bog wood with plenty of hidding places, the other can get away from him but has got a couple of split fins and bite marks on him, this has been going on for about a month now, both fish are eating very well feeding from my hand most of the time, i have just changed the tank around and its made no differenceat all, in fact he seems to be stalking him even more!

 

[england]

If it is relentless i would seperate them, most people will get a group of atleast 6, much more chance of them pairing off, you would be very lucky if you brought two togehter and they paired off, could be two males or just not get along

 

[crayfishjamie]

Its not relentless, more of if it gets seen it will go for it, i will see how it goes, my other tank is cycling at the moment so will have to wait for a week or so to seperate them. I would love to get maybe 6 dwarf channa and try to get a pair but finding these type of fish is very difficult.

 

[gasmask]

Sounds to me like they simply don't get along.
With my experience of Bleheri, they can get nasty when they don't get along, and unfortunately it only gets worse, not better.
Often too warm temperature with Bleheri often sparks off aggression too. What temp are you keeping them at?

If you post a CLEAR picture of them both (especially the heads side/front, I can tell you their sex.

 

[crayfishjamie]

19c but come to think of it when we had that really hot week at the end of sept, it went up to 28c I think it was when the bullying started, should I drop the temp more than 19c for a while?

 

[gasmask]

19c but come to think of it when we had that really hot week at the end of sept, it went up to 28c I think it was when the bullying started, should I drop the temp more than 19c for a while?

19c is fine.
But looks to me that the damage is done.
Keep an eye on them if it persists you are going to need to separate them

post a photo, I can tell you straight away if they are the same sex.

 

[crayfishjamie]

Hi, I know I'm a pain with photos but I had to re home my beautiful bleheri, very upset about this but I had no choice, they were very aggressive to each other.
So now I have 5 pulchra, hopefully get a pair out of them and breed, that's the mission anyway.
They are lovely fish, although a bit shy at the moment, they are eating prawn and meal worm.
2 are getting on really well, swimming together so fingers crossed we might have a pair, any tips on how to get them spawning, temps at 21c

 

[gasmask]

Hi, I know I'm a pain with photos but I had to re home my beautiful bleheri, very upset about this but I had no choice, they were very aggressive to each other.
So now I have 5 pulchra, hopefully get a pair out of them and breed, that's the mission anyway.
They are lovely fish, although a bit shy at the moment, they are eating prawn and meal worm.
2 are getting on really well, swimming together so fingers crossed we might have a pair, any tips on how to get them spawning, temps at 21c

For one, I would personally drop the temps to 19c for this time of the year.
As for getting them to spawn, you are going to need a pair first!!!!

Once you get a pair, and you get to the mock spawning stage, there are a number of things you can do to induce spawning.
For one is a sudden drop in water level (water pressure) and a large temporary rise in temperature. (not too sudden to kill them!)
But trust me, you are a long way off yet.

Here is one of my old Pulchra (kept at19c)

 

[moochy13]

wow that is mega.

im off to research these bad boys.

 

[mike455555]

what is that blue fish called and where can i get one... i think i just fell in love with it >.>

 

[england]

The blue one pictured is channa Pulchra, you can also get another called channa ornatipinnis, which are very similar, just bigger spots on the face really.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/285237-channa-ornatipinnis/