Labenator65000
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Funny thing is that 75% of you won't get that reference....
Anyway, this is one of those real-world "lessons learned" that I personally have always found vaulable. I finally decided to to the right thing and lose the ornery Ps.Johannii that had been terrorizing my Labs and Peacocks for the past several months. It was a difficult decision. The Johannii had been an impulse purchase after being (ill)advsied by my LFS that it was "safe to coexists with peaceful cichlids as long as there are no females." This and other forums advised that it was too aggressive for it's tank-mates, that I should lose it or risk suffering the consequences. However, I was determined that mine would be the exeption to the rule, so darn the torpedoes. As the Ps.Johannii matured it was becoming increasingly clear that it did not belong in that tank. Pieces of fins were missing. Scales were missing. I could see it chasing the others. New additions were so traumatized that they often would fall ill and die. I had been worried about it for months. It was time, so I took it back to the LFS and traded it up for a couple of more peaceful alternatives. The atmosphere in the tank has been much better since. Matter of fact the others are showng more spunk now that the big meanie is out of the picture. As well, I have more "peace of mind." It was worth it.
Lessons learned:
1. Listen to experienced folks on forums like this. In general, they know more than the LFS owner.
2. Yes, I know, the LFS owner "has been doing this for 20+ years" etc etc. That does not mean he/she knows it all.
3. Yes, there are exceptions, but don't plan to be the exception.
4. Aggression can begin overnight. You may come home to find out too late.
5. Trading in a "project fish" that you have becone attached to stinks.
6. Avoid impulse purchases. Know 100% what you are getting into.
Anyway, this is one of those real-world "lessons learned" that I personally have always found vaulable. I finally decided to to the right thing and lose the ornery Ps.Johannii that had been terrorizing my Labs and Peacocks for the past several months. It was a difficult decision. The Johannii had been an impulse purchase after being (ill)advsied by my LFS that it was "safe to coexists with peaceful cichlids as long as there are no females." This and other forums advised that it was too aggressive for it's tank-mates, that I should lose it or risk suffering the consequences. However, I was determined that mine would be the exeption to the rule, so darn the torpedoes. As the Ps.Johannii matured it was becoming increasingly clear that it did not belong in that tank. Pieces of fins were missing. Scales were missing. I could see it chasing the others. New additions were so traumatized that they often would fall ill and die. I had been worried about it for months. It was time, so I took it back to the LFS and traded it up for a couple of more peaceful alternatives. The atmosphere in the tank has been much better since. Matter of fact the others are showng more spunk now that the big meanie is out of the picture. As well, I have more "peace of mind." It was worth it.
Lessons learned:
1. Listen to experienced folks on forums like this. In general, they know more than the LFS owner.
2. Yes, I know, the LFS owner "has been doing this for 20+ years" etc etc. That does not mean he/she knows it all.
3. Yes, there are exceptions, but don't plan to be the exception.
4. Aggression can begin overnight. You may come home to find out too late.
5. Trading in a "project fish" that you have becone attached to stinks.
6. Avoid impulse purchases. Know 100% what you are getting into.
