Popped into my LFS on Friday, spotted a tank full of stunning sub-adult Red Fin alto compressiceps. Been on the hunt for some nice comps for ages - everyone around me seems to have calvus, but I've always had a soft spot for comps. Took a night to think it over, then headed back on Saturday to pick up a couple. Chose the two with the most vibrant orange colouration. One of them immediately claimed the middle of the largest rock pile and started defending his territory against the two julies that had been there before. Only been in the tank for a couple of hours and he was already showing signs of dominance. When he strayed into the brevis's territory, he did that classic "look up at the sky and pretend I'm not being attacked" thing - the brevis quickly got the message. Love how laid-back comps are.
The other comp, meanwhile, had staked out the back of the other rock pile and was busy digging a massive hole at the base of the rocks to create a cave. Didn't know they were diggers, but it's been fascinating to watch.
Things took a dramatic turn last night when the first comp decided to try and eat one of the tetra wafers I leave in the tank for the syno lucipinnis catfish. These wafers are about 5mm across - just small enough for the comp to fit in its mouth, but too big to swallow. This was at 10:45pm... I sat and watched, hoping it would spit it out, but it was getting stressed. By midnight, I realized I'd have to catch it and use tweezers to help it out - not ideal, given how fragile comp jaws can be. Catching a fish with huge eyes in a tank full of rocks wasn't going to be easy, so I ended up pulling out a ton of rocks and eventually netted it. Luckily, the struggle to get out of the net dislodged the wafer, and I didn't have to intervene. Got to bed at 1am.
Guess it's time to change up the synos' food - no more tetra wafers.
red fin compressiceps: an awesome but challenging fish
Re: red fin compressiceps: an awesome but challenging fish
Well, it turns out the shy comp has finally mustered the courage to come out and play, but it seems no one's too keen on him, especially his tankmate. The more dominant comp and one of the brevis males have been ganging up on him, sending him packing to the top corner of the tank.
It's interesting to note that they all seem to get along just fine when the lights are off, but as soon as they're on, the bullying starts. I've had to keep the tank in darkness for the past couple of days, but that's not a long-term solution. I'm starting to think I'll have to return one of the comps, but I'm torn. I love the feisty one's colouring, but I'm concerned he might be a bit of a handful, and that could escalate as he grows. On the other hand, the timid one's getting a rough deal, so maybe I should be taking him back instead? Any thoughts, guys?
It's interesting to note that they all seem to get along just fine when the lights are off, but as soon as they're on, the bullying starts. I've had to keep the tank in darkness for the past couple of days, but that's not a long-term solution. I'm starting to think I'll have to return one of the comps, but I'm torn. I love the feisty one's colouring, but I'm concerned he might be a bit of a handful, and that could escalate as he grows. On the other hand, the timid one's getting a rough deal, so maybe I should be taking him back instead? Any thoughts, guys?