Ugh, I'm at my wit's end. Got a real mean Alenquer bully on my hands. 7 new juvies in a 55 gallon, and this one's terrorizing 4 of them non-stop. It's only been 8 days, and this little monster's already shredded the fins of all but 2 discus. I'm seriously thinking of isolating the bully - it's just not fair to the others. They're always hiding, always stressed.
The bully's tail fin was already damaged when I got it, but that's no excuse. None of the other fish are picking on it or the others, just this one little terror. Any advice would be greatly appreciated - I'm worried sick about my poor discus.
Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Rearranging the tank decorations might help calm down the bully's aggression towards the others. You see, in any group, there's usually an alpha that likes to take charge.
Rearranging the tank decorations might help calm down the bully's aggression towards the others. You see, in any group, there's usually an alpha that likes to take charge.
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Thanks so much for the advice! I'll definitely give rearranging the decorations a shot. I really appreciate your help Francis, Regina
Thanks so much for the advice! I'll definitely give rearranging the decorations a shot. I really appreciate your help Francis, Regina
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Re: Big Bad Bully. If you've got a quarantine tank, consider isolating the bully for a few weeks to give the others a break. This could allow a new alpha to emerge in the group, making it tougher for the bully when reintroduced. Rearranging the decor, as suggested, might also help reduce aggression.
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Thanks Jade, that's a great idea! Giving them a break from the constant nipping could really help. I'll consider a time-out for the bully and some rearranging of the decor to reduce the stress.
Thanks Jade, that's a great idea! Giving them a break from the constant nipping could really help. I'll consider a time-out for the bully and some rearranging of the decor to reduce the stress.
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
I don't disagree with the recommendation - it's really all trial and error. No way to predict what'll happen. Typically, the next bully steps right up and just does the same thing, so be prepared for that. I just went through this with 10 large adult discus - much worse than anything I've seen before (I never buy adults, always raise from young, less issues with this). Took a few months for them to settle down. What helped was rearranging plants, sponge filters (resetting territory) and lights out periods. I used a thin blanket taped to the tank for 3-4 days at a time - that really seemed to help combined with redecoration. Just redecoration didn't do much. Was tough, 'cause I wanted to view the tank, and I lost some plants, but the discus chilled out. Good luck!
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
I found that really interesting, thanks for sharing. I did try rearranging the decorations, but unfortunately, it didn't make a difference.
What's really caught my attention is that one of the other Alenquers, who I've named Francois, has started standing up to the bully. As of last night, I've noticed Francois chasing and head-butting the bully, and it's only targeting the bully, not the others. I know it sounds far-fetched, but it seems like Francois is trying to protect the rest.
I'm going to try your technique next, with the lights out periods and the blanket. I'd rather not quarantine the bully, but I understand why it might be necessary. Thanks for your input and advice, I really appreciate it.
Regina
I found that really interesting, thanks for sharing. I did try rearranging the decorations, but unfortunately, it didn't make a difference.
What's really caught my attention is that one of the other Alenquers, who I've named Francois, has started standing up to the bully. As of last night, I've noticed Francois chasing and head-butting the bully, and it's only targeting the bully, not the others. I know it sounds far-fetched, but it seems like Francois is trying to protect the rest.
I'm going to try your technique next, with the lights out periods and the blanket. I'd rather not quarantine the bully, but I understand why it might be necessary. Thanks for your input and advice, I really appreciate it.
Regina
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Re: Big Bad Bully! Terrorizing the other 6 and stressing them out!
Thanks again for your input. I'm getting a bit anxious about the bully's behavior, mainly because the other fish are showing physical signs of stress - tattered tails and fins from the constant nipping. They're always hiding from him, only venturing out when they see me, thinking it's feeding time. I'm hoping that by letting them establish their pecking order, the bully might calm down a bit. I'll give it some time and see how things develop. Fingers crossed it'll work out for the best.
Thanks again for your input. I'm getting a bit anxious about the bully's behavior, mainly because the other fish are showing physical signs of stress - tattered tails and fins from the constant nipping. They're always hiding from him, only venturing out when they see me, thinking it's feeding time. I'm hoping that by letting them establish their pecking order, the bully might calm down a bit. I'll give it some time and see how things develop. Fingers crossed it'll work out for the best.