Labs Getting Bullied - Getting Skinny Now...

[Abyss]

I have a group of 10 Labs that I've had since they were Juvies.

However, a couple of them have fell well behind the others in size. I got all my Labs when they were about 1.5-2", these labs are now about 2" whilst the others have shown dramatic growth and are at least an inch bigger than the two labs in question.

They are also really skinny. At first I was worried that it was skinny disease or the like but it has been 3-4 months and no other fish (labs and other species) show signs of concave bellies.

It is definitely a bullying/dominance issue I think. They just stay in their own little spot and when they come out the bigger and more vibrant labs chase them back away.

They are both still eating and show no other signs of distress. The fact that they are skinny is the only visible problem.

What should I do in this situation? Could it be a disease or is it down to the issues I mentioned above.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I see similar things happen in my malawi tank. It's not unusual. They're getting skinny because they're not being allowed to eat as much as they need and this will also stunt their growth. Eventually it may kill them through malnutrition. Move them into a seperate tank.
P.

 

[Realtree]

I see similar things happen in my malawi tank. It's not unusual. They're getting skinny because they're not being allowed to eat as much as they need and this will also stunt their growth. Eventually it may kill them through malnutrition. Move them into a seperate tank.
P.

I have a yellow lab juvenile which is less than 1/2 the size of its peer group due to being blind in one eye.
I don't have the option of rehoming it I also feel it would fair no better in with any other mbuna. It is beginning to get bullied and spends alot of its time with the filter to its blindside.
What options do i have for this fish ?? If I put it into a tank on its own what size tank would I require ??

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I'd use a 10g or even a 15g. You could keep a few cories with it.
P.