HELP!!! interspecies fighting!

[gi4get]

I have a school of black phantom tetras that have recently decided to pick on each other. Specifically, they have singled out the smallest of the group and beaten her to shreds. She has since been removed and added to a mixed community tank and it starting to heal. In the mean time, the larger males are constantly chasing and harassing the smaller group members. I have had them all since they were very small. It seems like they got older and got sick of each other. If this is a territorial problem, how can I fix it?

The crazy thing about this mix is there's a male betta that shares their tank space. He could not care less about his tankmates. He happily eats whatever his can find without giving them the time of day.

 

[sanguinarydragon]

hmm...i have two BPTetras and one chases the littler one alittle but nothing like what you discribe. maby they get teratorial when they hit sexual maturity or something? i always thought tetras were fairly peaceful

 

[bunjiweb]

How big is the tank?

 

[gi4get]

Five gal. Currently five tetras, one betta. I expected more trouble out of the betta.

 

[Discomafia]

that may be the problem.

 

[jams.alaskan]

I have six and other then some interesting display behavior I've never seen real aggression. Perhaps the space that you have IS too small, that could account for it.

ALASKA

 

[canarsie11]

that may be the problem.

 

[gi4get]

....


I see how you feel. I shall be taking my fish related questions elsewhere.

 

[enchanted]

Actually, 5G could be the problem. That tank is not that big and they don't have a lot of room. It could be they are narrowing out the smaller ones to give the bigger ones more room........

Could just be genetics causing it because of a small space.