Fighter Aggression/ Clown Pleco Aggression

[Dan Steveo]

Hi all,

I've had my male siamese fighter for a good while now, in fact he is my first fish with this tank...

He's been kept with some cardinals kribensis dwarf neon rainbows and some plecs for a while now,

basically about 4 days ago he started to be more aggressive towards the DNR's for no reason at all, just flaring at them and chasing them, it wasn't too bad at first, but then he actually started darting into them and has caused some scale damage and what seems to be bruising.

I thought i'd calm him down so i bought a few more of the DNR's and two female fighters....

He immediately started going all flattery, spreading out fins, side swimming with the females and shaking himself a little. looked kinda cool, then after about 20 mins started beating them up too, so i've put him in the breeder net, i'm not happy with his aggression and i'm not losing any fish due to this.. Is it possible it's a phase or has he just grown too big for his boots? (he's quite big now)

Also my clown pleco has been a bit territorial since i had him, this i can understand... but today i observed him, he was way out of his cave, but decided to swim head on into my blue phantom, (my favourite plec)

anyway he didn't stop there, he dit it a further three times following him round the tank, so after tearing up the tank i caught him too... Im thinking trade them both in and get a few gouramis and im sure i'm gunna get mixed opinions on this but i like the idea of guppies, they're kinda cool and i love the colours at my lfs, i know they breed like crazy... the gouramis will keep populations slightly in check, and the filter and the other fish'll do the rest... nature and all...

Anyway what're your ideas?

Thanks

 

[aakaakaak]

Betta males aren't known for being very good in communities. They tend to do exactly what you've seen them do.

Your clown pleco may be being territorial. You have seven plecos in a 42 gallon tank. That's quite a bit of floor space being covered. They whole tank might not be too crowded, but the floor looks like it is to me.

 

[IThinkTherefore]

Female and male bettas can never be kept together long term. Deaths and injury result even from temporary cohabitation in order to breed! The name fighting fish is there for a reason

Like aakaak said, some male bettas don't do well in communities. You may have to separate him permanently, or rehome the rainbowfish and females.

As for your females, here is an article on keeping a betta sorority. It's not too simple either, but it can be done. Good luck! I hope your tank works out
Your basic sorority tank - UltimateBettas

 

[Dan Steveo]

i see what you mean, the bristlenoses are all babies at the moment none are above 1 inch yet, and they're all happy. the clown was the only one causing hassle.. and it didn't stop at it's territory.. all round the tank it chased my phantom...

 

[aakaakaak]

Here's a good link to clown pleco behavior. Since I only have one pleco (a clown) I can't attest to that. However, I can attest to pretty much everything else on the page.

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile80.html