I've got 2 grass pickerel about 7" each...noticed today one has a bite mark on his back and is missing a couple scales...doesn't look serious and i'm gonna raise the salt concentration to help him heal. Question is why? There isn't more than 1/4" size difference between them...actually I think the bigger one is the one that got bit. Maybe just an accident with the lights off or something? Likely to happen again? This is the first time either has shown any aggression toward the other...I'm thinking it was somehow an accident.
pickerel attack pickerel
Started by
Guest_star5328_*
, Feb 21 2011 08:57 PM
4 replies to this topic
#3 Guest_star5328_*
Posted 22 February 2011 - 12:16 AM
They're hardwired to attack anything that moves in their field of vision that seems to be even vaguely edible.
That's for sure, been about 8-10 months though with no such instance until now. I'm hoping its just a 1 time random occurrence. T-boned him right behind his gill flaps, has a very thin tear in his flesh across the top of his back. Doesn't look very serious hopefully heals fine.
*Edit: Anyone who has experience with small flesh wounds like this, Is this likely to heal alright with a little salt and time? Or do I need to buy something to make sure he doesn't get an infection?
Edited by star5328, 22 February 2011 - 12:19 AM.
#5 Guest_FishheadDave_*
Posted 22 February 2011 - 07:42 AM
In my experience, esocids are highly cannibalistic in aquaria. On a number of occassions, I've had individuals of almost the same size eat one another. In at least one instance, it ended up killing both fish. Increasing the amount of cover in you tank may increase your odds, but I think this is going to be an uphill battle as the fish grow.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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