Fish killing fish

[mad dog fish]

I put three rummy nose tetras in my tank today and my serpae tetras and rainbow fish killed one within a couple of hours. The other two I only see when they are being chased. Anyone got ideas as to why they are behaving this way. It has never happened before.


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[Lung Fish]

It might be tank size.Oh and have you checked if the species are compatable?Some fish can be EXTREMELY nasty and agressive, just depends on the fish.

 

[Fresh2o]

Really cannot give you any good advice without knowing the tank size, and the number if serapes and rainbows in there. 3 (now 2) is a low number for any type of fish that are better off in groups of 6 or more. I know because I have 3 gold tetras and 2 blue danios in a 20g; low number of fish and lots of directed squabbling.


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[mad dog fish]

There are 3rainbow fish and four serpae tetras. I have other fish too. My tank is 160L.


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[ScotJudd]

It's all a matter of balance. I had 6 rainbows that terrorised my tank of tetras. I sold 5, couldn't catch the 6th. Number 6 is now as peaceful and sociable as the tetras - he's just outnumbered. Adding just 3 rummy nose may have been too few.



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[Brookster123]

How do you know they were killed and did not just die?

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[Mebbid]

How do you know they were killed and did not just die?

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Reasonable question, I'm wondering that myself. Rainbows can be aggressive, but rarely is there going to be damage from them other than stress. They just aren't equipped to do major harm.

 

[Angela1108]

I have to say I don't like my rainbows. They aren't like super mean aggressive but they are aggressive eaters- so it makes it hard for some of my other fish to get food. I honestly wish I hadn't gotten them. (In my 55g community) I have been thinking about re-homing them. But I have to agree- how did you know it was them and not something else? Just because they are fast doesn't mean aggressive in the "true" sense


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[mad dog fish]

Because I watched the behaviour. They chased this fish around non stop and the next thing I knew it was being eaten.


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[ppo8820]

Some fish are just aggressive. I have a small black angel fish who chases everything. I thought it was just other angels, but nope, she doesnt like anyone in her territory. I have her with two endlers and they are the only two fish she doesnt bother.

 

[mad dog fish]

I'm watching my rainbow fish as I write this and they really do rule the tank. I don't think that I will replace them when they die. Their behaviour contradicts all the information I've read.


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[Angela1108]

I have to agree. I am not getting them again either. They weren't what I expected and I feel like they contradict everything I read too. Do you know what your male:female ratio is? I have 1m 2f


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[Mebbid]

I've had my rainbows for about a year and a half now. I couldn't be happier with them. They are peaceful community members, are bright, and usually only quarrel amongst themselves.. you might not have enough of them.

 

[mad dog fish]

I can't tell what sex my rainbow fish are. How can you tell?


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[Mebbid]

I can't tell what sex my rainbow fish are. How can you tell?


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What kind of rainbows are they? The females are usually very dull in color compared to the males.

 

[mad dog fish]

I think that they are black banded rainbows. I did some research awhile back because my local shop just has them listed as rainbow fish.


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[gilpi]

I had pretty good experience with rainbows, but after having them for a couple of years and learning about their behavior, I'm not sure I would mix them with other fish though I have seen them in community tanks.
They're pretty good on their own but as someone mentioned here, they are fast and aggressive eaters and I think it'll be tough competition for any other fish.
When referring to fish as "aggressive" or "nasty" we have to realize it probably has more to do with being territorial, also sex plays a role in what we see it as aggression and in a confined environment there is no room to escape from the aggressors.



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[gilpi]

This is where fish compatibility comes into play.

 

[mad dog fish]

I think that if I had more than one tank I would set up a rainbow tank.


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[Mebbid]

I think that if I had more than one tank I would set up a rainbow tank.


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I guess that means it's time to get another tank then