Tank Looks Empty :(

[Metermaid]

My 'ice blue zebras' have now reached around 3 1/2 inches in length and coloured up significantly, one has become the boss and over the last few days this has resulted in what looks like an empty tank. Everyone has found themselves a hidey hole and if they venture out he sees them off immediately - running himself ragged when food is put in to deny them any. As I say my tank now looks empty and I am wondering if there is anything I can do. These fish were all bought together as small babies and have previously got on well.

 

[freddyk]

You have room for more stock if you wish, and this is a good way to get the fish more brave. For starters I'd add more yellow labs, since they are grouping fish and do best kept this way. It's also helpful to have lots of rocks, the more readily the fish can find cover, the more likely they are to stay out of it. Lastly, sometimes we end up with an ultra aggressive specimen that simply needs to be removed, in which case things may sort itself out or another dominent might take over... hard to say.

 

[Metermaid]

You have room for more stock if you wish, and this is a good way to get the fish more brave. For starters I'd add more yellow labs, since they are grouping fish and do best kept this way. It's also helpful to have lots of rocks, the more readily the fish can find cover, the more likely they are to stay out of it. Lastly, sometimes we end up with an ultra aggressive specimen that simply needs to be removed, in which case things may sort itself out or another dominent might take over... hard to say.

Thanks for the help Freddy - I had hoped that I would avoid these problems by having them all grow up together - I was a bit worried about adding more as they would be 'outsiders' - I've been watching tonight and he does appear to be really aggressive, he's using the whole tank as his territory and nothing is allowed out from cover - even my Sailfin plec lost a chunk out of his tail when he broke cover I think he may be destined for the lfs...then as you say I will have to wait and see what happens next !

 

[freddyk]

I was a bit worried about adding more as they would be 'outsiders'

I've found that if you add a few then they're less likely to target anyone, plus newcomers would be smaller and less threatening to the current ones. If you brought back the one zebra and replaced it with 3 more labs then you'd have nice groups of both within reasonable stocking limits.

 

[Metermaid]

If you brought back the one zebra and replaced it with 3 more labs then you'd have nice groups of both within reasonable stocking limits.

That sounds like an excellent plan - thanks

 

[Metermaid]

Well I took him back to lfs as things were getting worse ! Number 2 male instantly took over as boss but is not nearly as aggressive (at the moment anyway ) - it's lovely to see the fish out and about again, - so crossing fingers

 

[freddyk]

Good luck MM - there will always be a boss, but what we don't want ruling the tank is tyrant!