I have 5 MRBD in a heavily planted deep soil bottom 30 gallon tank. They came home OK form the convention (although I did loose a few jumpers while trying to get everybody home and acclimated) and seem to be doing well. However, they are much more secretive than I thought they would be. They seem to hang out in the thickest part of the plants.
So do they need other fish to feel more comfortable?.. or are they just normally this jittery? They were captured in more open areas, so I am rather surprised by this behaviour. If they do need neighbors, what species would be the best candidates from a temperment standpoint?
MRBD behaviour
Started by
Michael Wolfe
, Jul 14 2007 02:38 PM
5 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_drewish_*
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Posted 14 July 2007 - 03:24 PM
I keep mine in a species only 75g, but I have a crapload of them so I can't speak to "how many are needed". arnoldi keeps 5 or so with warpaint shiners, rainbow shiners, various topminnows, various darters in a medium-heavily planted 75g. My juveniles seem more skittish than the adults. Which do you have?
#3
Guest_arnoldi_*
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Posted 14 July 2007 - 04:36 PM
They might need another species to feel more comfortable. Rainbow shiners seem to be the perfect match for them, they aren't shy and both species are very colorful.
My dace are as outgoing as you can get, always coming up to the front of the tank when somebody is around and they will actually peck at my hand when its in there.
My dace are as outgoing as you can get, always coming up to the front of the tank when somebody is around and they will actually peck at my hand when its in there.
#4
Guest_teleost_*
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Posted 14 July 2007 - 04:44 PM
I had a similar problem when I moved SRBD from one tank to another. I cannot explain it but after a full year in captivity they decided to hide all of the sudden in java moss. I've been keeping SRBD for a while and I now have MRBD (not from the convention) and I don't feel either MRBD or SRBD need live plant material for hiding to be happy and healthy. I have Phoxinus of some sort or another in three tanks and those with moderate amounts of cover never hide nor appear skittish. Those in heavily planted tanks are skittish.
#5
Guest_Brooklamprey_*
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Posted 14 July 2007 - 06:08 PM
I have not experienced any issues like this with them. They seem to always stay in a loose shoal right above the substrate and have shown no indication of being timid.
I keep 9 of them in a 20 gallon long species only tank (Well not really as there are some Lamprey Larvae in there) with just sand and gravel with a few large rocks, some twig and leaf litter and substantial algae growth. The tank has two powerheads in it to provide a steady current.
I really do not think these fish are overly fond of planted tanks and it may be the fact they can not observe their surrounding well that may be affecting their behavior. (Hypothetically I've not tested this)
I keep 9 of them in a 20 gallon long species only tank (Well not really as there are some Lamprey Larvae in there) with just sand and gravel with a few large rocks, some twig and leaf litter and substantial algae growth. The tank has two powerheads in it to provide a steady current.
I really do not think these fish are overly fond of planted tanks and it may be the fact they can not observe their surrounding well that may be affecting their behavior. (Hypothetically I've not tested this)
#6
Michael Wolfe
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Posted 14 July 2007 - 08:16 PM
Thanks guys, some good information. I just had the tank empty (of fish.. full of plants) and thought they would look good in there. They seem to be adults in size and color.
Interesting that you mention they always hang near the bottom... mine often do as well... this may be part of the problem... maybe they are not hiding really, just hanging at the bottom... and it is hard for me to see the bottom of the tank, so I think they are hiding.
I'll start looking for some calmer Notropis, or maybe a Fundulus as tank mates.
Interesting that you mention they always hang near the bottom... mine often do as well... this may be part of the problem... maybe they are not hiding really, just hanging at the bottom... and it is hard for me to see the bottom of the tank, so I think they are hiding.
I'll start looking for some calmer Notropis, or maybe a Fundulus as tank mates.
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