Ceramicbull
Fish Fanatic
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2010
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(Edit: never mind, this bears more observation. With the lights off they seem to tolerate if not enjoy each other's presence. Perhaps the "aggression" is just the male being assertive about mating and stressing the female out. There hasn't been much, if any, biting or wrestling. I guess I'm just new to cichlids, sorry to clutter the forum.)
Alright, today I got my wild-type Orange Chromides in the mail for my brackish tank. Both seem to have survived their journey, and did quite well, ate, etc. However, as time goes on, it has become evident that unfortunately I have received 2 males. They have gone from chumming around and exploring the tank together to "I'll explore the tank, you sit in the corner and when I feel like it I'll come snap at you." I'm new to cichlids, so I'm not exactly sure what one fish being dominant means other than I need to rehome one asap. I do notice that despite abundant food, the loser hasn't eaten since this morning, when they were both still pals.
The real problem I face is that the "winner" seems to have lost his starboard (right) pectoral fin. As in gone, completely, no trace. I don't think it will be growing back.
I don't know if he lost it in the battle this morning or not. I seem to remember one of them having problems steering earlier, but I chocked it up to the aftereffects of shipping. (That'll teach me not to take pectoral fins for granted when inspecting new livestock.) Where the fin used to be doesn't look to me to be a recent wound (no blood/white flesh), but I have little experience and no decent camera. How can I tell? Other than a little difficulty steering though, he seems to be doing just fine.
The real question is, which one should I keep? One-fin seems to be happy and healthy, other than his missing fin. But I am concerned that his missing fin may have some unforseen negative effects in the long run. Would the missing fin prevent a female from being willing to breed? Will Two-fin's stress and depression clear up if I remove One-fin? I would imagine that the LFS or person I rehome the fish to would probably prefer the fish with both fins intact; but honestly, I would as well.
Thanks for reading,
C-Bull
Alright, today I got my wild-type Orange Chromides in the mail for my brackish tank. Both seem to have survived their journey, and did quite well, ate, etc. However, as time goes on, it has become evident that unfortunately I have received 2 males. They have gone from chumming around and exploring the tank together to "I'll explore the tank, you sit in the corner and when I feel like it I'll come snap at you." I'm new to cichlids, so I'm not exactly sure what one fish being dominant means other than I need to rehome one asap. I do notice that despite abundant food, the loser hasn't eaten since this morning, when they were both still pals.
The real problem I face is that the "winner" seems to have lost his starboard (right) pectoral fin. As in gone, completely, no trace. I don't think it will be growing back.
I don't know if he lost it in the battle this morning or not. I seem to remember one of them having problems steering earlier, but I chocked it up to the aftereffects of shipping. (That'll teach me not to take pectoral fins for granted when inspecting new livestock.) Where the fin used to be doesn't look to me to be a recent wound (no blood/white flesh), but I have little experience and no decent camera. How can I tell? Other than a little difficulty steering though, he seems to be doing just fine. The real question is, which one should I keep? One-fin seems to be happy and healthy, other than his missing fin. But I am concerned that his missing fin may have some unforseen negative effects in the long run. Would the missing fin prevent a female from being willing to breed? Will Two-fin's stress and depression clear up if I remove One-fin? I would imagine that the LFS or person I rehome the fish to would probably prefer the fish with both fins intact; but honestly, I would as well.
Thanks for reading,
C-Bull
