Synodontis eupterus fighting / bullying

[ali12345]

I have taken in a couple of mature Synodontis eupterus from a friend. They were in a 4 ft tank and are now in a 6 x 2 x 2ft. Since the move 2 months ago they have started to fight more and more. there are plenty of hiding spaces. One is more dominant although smaller and darker whereas the larger lighter coloured one gets picked on.
Would adding another even things out a bit or cause more problems?
thanks
Alison

[ali12345]

Sorry - I just found the answer to that by searching for feather fin.
I will now need to look out for another couple of adults or will 1 probably be good enough?
Other tankmates are polypterus delhezi.

[andywoolloo]

two is usually not good. Do they have enough hidey holes? Maybe if you try one more re arrange the tank also and try to make some separate areas or hides for them

[ali12345]

I will try and add more hiding places. They have lived together for many years and never fought until they moved into a bigger space.

[Viktor Jarikov]

They had their territories and/or pecking order figured out and hence the community was stable. In addition, they perhaps grew up together.

In a new tank, all changed.

Euptera are territorial synos, so more of them would dilute the aggression as well as more tankmates, dither fish.

In my very diversely populated tanks, I've never had a big problem with my 6-7 euptera. IMO problems with them are not often encountered but have been reported:

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... t=+euptera

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/c ... p?sid=4506