Help! Gubby Being Eaten By Female Fighter Fish.

[Berkshirebelle]

Hi- I've posted before about setting up a new fish tank and my fish-in cycle is going great- however, our first fish was a female fighter fish, who was recommended to us as a community fish, and 3 days later we got a cute little male guppy. I've noticed over the past couple of weeks that the female fighter fish can be a bit intimidating towards the guppy, but thought he was always ok. However, we went away for a long weekend ( leaving the fish with a 3 day fish feeding tablet thing, so don't panic) and since our return yesterday I 've noticed the fighter fish being so much more aggressive towards the guppy, like properly chasing him. And on closer inspection today, the poor guppy's tail is shred to pieces!! I love the female fighting fish, she follows us around everywhere- but what shall we do if this continues? Should we return her to the fish shop? Cause its so unfair on our poor little guppy, he just sh*ts himslef whenever she swims by. What should we do? Please help! Would it help if we get another fish? Or is she just hungry? (We feed them once a day). My poor little guppy

 

[Luke_emma_23]

Hi, females are best kept in groups of 5 or more to spread out aggression.
She has probably mistaken the male guppy for a male fighter due to his long finns & will keep attacking him, I recommend that you separate them asap as she will keep attacking him until he dies.
If you want to keep both get some more females to make a happier group & divide of part of the tank for the guppy. (if the tank is large enough!!) and when it is cycled!!!
Make sure it is well planted with lots of hiding places!!!

 

[Harlequins]

Hi there

Guppies and bettas are not a very good mix,mainly because bettas see guppies has the enemy with flowing fins,and will attack them given the chance.

Some people do keep them together without no problems,just depend how aggressive the betta is.

 

[Berkshirebelle]

thanks for your replies- does this mean it will be best to get rid of the female fighter, as we only have a 23 litre tank, to avoid any other fish we want to get being attacked?

 

[drobbyb]

On a related note, a short visit away will not do your fish any harm. They can go without food for more than a week without incident. Those fish blocks do more harm to your water chemistry than the good they do for your fish.

 

[Berkshirebelle]

ok- thanks drobbyb- we'll know for next time. I was a bit concerned so did a 20 percent water change as soon as we got back.

 

[Hunterprey]

Sorry to hear that. My guppies live with my male betta, he chase them occasionally but doesn't really do any damage to them coz he can't catch them
The right side of my 10 gallon has airstone and I aimed the filter water output to the right side of my tank too. So too much water movement on the right side, My betta has a hard time swimming on the right side of the tank where my guppies usually chills. My Betta is usually on the left side of the tank, it works for me