I have a group of Yellowstripe Cardinal fish that have been in quarantine for 2 1/2 weeks. They're going in a 29g but in a 10g now. I've treated with copper, CG and prazi and they are showing no signs of disease (nor have they from the start). The problem is they're getting settled in and establishing their hierarchy. The runt of the bunch is getting picked on and has no were to hide in the QT. He's visibly stressed and I'm concerned he won't make it. I'm considering cutting qt short and putting them in the DT (now empty) were they have more room and more hiding areas. I'm also worried that I could contaminate the DT and he won't make it anyway. What should I do?
Cardinalfish Aggression in Qt
- Thread starter Pyrosteve
- Start date
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Big G
captain dunsel
Divide the QT with a bit of eggcrate material with some 1/4" plastic mesh zip tied to it. You can see what I did here for the top of my tank to keep fish from jumping out. I do the same for dividing the tank and keeping aggressive fish apart.
It depends. I would have definitely released them into the DT by now if they have shown no signs of disease. But I don't preventatively treat fish with copper, prazi, etc. and will just release them once they seem ok.
Just out of curiousity, how many of them are there?
Just out of curiousity, how many of them are there?
Divide the QT with a bit of eggcrate material with some 1/4" plastic mesh zip tied to it. You can see what I did here for the top of my tank to keep fish from jumping out. I do the same for dividing the tank and keeping aggressive fish apart.
Thanks! I have some netting coming tomorrow for a lid. I'll give it a try!
Have 4 now. I may end up with a trio/one pair once they get into the DT tank if this continues. I'm going to try separating by pairs in QT and see what happens.
bluprntguy
Well-Known Member
My experience with these guys is that they tend to do exactly what you are describing until there is one that is left victorious. Having them in the display doesn't actually help as there is no place that one can go to hide that the others can't follow.
I'd separate out the one that is currently getting picked on and see if they stabilize or just start picking on another one. You can use a plastic colander or a plastic food container with some small holes for flow. You might also consider moving him to a 5 gallon bucket if you have a spare heater and something for flow. If it's just temporary it doesn't have to be pretty.
Mine always did the deed at night...
I'd separate out the one that is currently getting picked on and see if they stabilize or just start picking on another one. You can use a plastic colander or a plastic food container with some small holes for flow. You might also consider moving him to a 5 gallon bucket if you have a spare heater and something for flow. If it's just temporary it doesn't have to be pretty.
Mine always did the deed at night...
It seems to me that these are like most other fish sold in our hobby as "schooling" fish. They probably school in their early life stages, but as they grow bigger they start pairing off and chasing away others. Having small numbers (less than 5) especially focuses aggression on the weakest, while a larger school will dilute the aggression.
Clownfish, chromis, and (more relevant) I'm told Banggais and PJ cards are like this. (alleged exceptions include the truly schooling bluestreak cardinal, which is not really colorful, but allegedly is a good ditherfish to keep with a pair of Banggais)
This is not to say there are not marine fish that will school like neon tetras - on the contrary, they are abundant. But very few are imported for the hobby. Masked gobies are one fish found in aquarium channels that will allegedly school well - and are very small. ORA breeds them, and KP aquatics very sustainably collects them in Florida.
Clownfish, chromis, and (more relevant) I'm told Banggais and PJ cards are like this. (alleged exceptions include the truly schooling bluestreak cardinal, which is not really colorful, but allegedly is a good ditherfish to keep with a pair of Banggais)
This is not to say there are not marine fish that will school like neon tetras - on the contrary, they are abundant. But very few are imported for the hobby. Masked gobies are one fish found in aquarium channels that will allegedly school well - and are very small. ORA breeds them, and KP aquatics very sustainably collects them in Florida.
Good info thanks. I also keep Lake Tang Cyps and they are the same way. At least a dozen to spread out the aggression.
I probably should have looked at a couple sources for info first. 4 was probably to few. Looks like 5-8 is a minimum.
I probably should have looked at a couple sources for info first. 4 was probably to few. Looks like 5-8 is a minimum.
