Nervous ancistrus

Untitled · Post by **Untitled** » 26 Nov 2004, 17:26

Water Parameters:
Ammonia & Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 20
pH = 7
GH = Around 15 dGH
KH = 5.6 dKH
Temp = 26 - 27 (c)
Water Changes = Weekly

Tank:
Size: 96Litres (20 something gallons)
Substrate: Gravel
Filteration: Juwel compact
Furnishing: Driftwood, many plants
Tank mates: 6 cories, several guppies (4 mature, some fry, less every day), 1 betta, 1 Chinese algae eater
Been set up for 6 months now
Last addition: today, the chinese algae eater.

Well, since introducing the chinese algae eater, the ancistrus (about 2" long, by the way) became very nervous. He chases the chinese algae eater, which I could maybe understand (it was hired to do the same job as the Ancistrus), but he was also chasing the cories (who used to hide beneath the driftwood, where he would sometime go). All within a very short time.

As an emergency step, I transfered him to another tank (he was easier to net than the chinese guy, and the cories have had enough for one day with him chasing them, they didn't need me turning everything up side down too), turned the lights off and let them all sleep over it.

I know that they can become territorial, but isn't it only towards their own species? Or does he think the chinese is the same specie? And if so, why would he chase the cories too? They've lived together for many months now without any problems. Is the only solution is to keep them separated from now on? Has anyone ever had such an experience?

Sorry, that's an awful lot of questions. I've had many Ancistruses and Plecos in the past and I've never experienced anything like that. I just sometimes feel like turning their lights off and never to turn it on again... Any help would be appreciated.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 26 Nov 2004, 17:45

Hi Untitled.

Silurus mentioned something under another topic, regarding one fish chasing another. The trick he suggested was to "Rearrange the furniture".

This causes all fish to re-establish their territories, and that will help getting the chinese algae-eater and the bristlenose to "agree terms of cease-fire".

Also, make sure that there are several places for Ancistrus and Chinese to hide, not just one piece of suitable hiding place. Getting a few different places mean that they can have their own "home-base" which isn't competing with the other ones.

I've seen my Ancistrus go after other fish when she's stressed by one fish, and I think you'll find that humans sometimes take out their anger on other individuals too when we're stressed...

Hopefully some of these ideas will help...

--
Mats

Untitled · Post by **Untitled** » 26 Nov 2004, 20:45

Thanks for the tips Mats. I don't know if they will help me in the current situation, but in the future, if I get stressed, I think that rearranging the furniture might do me good.

As for the fish, he calmed down in his new home. It's a hardly populated tank which was a hospital tank initially and then became a convict colony... He even eats the algae in that tank, something he stopped doing a long time ago in the other one (hence the need for Chinese work force). I think he will remain there for the time being.

Thanks again!

Untitled · Post by **Untitled** » 27 Nov 2004, 14:59

*next morning update*

The fish is apparently very happy with his re-loaction. I woke up this morning and I found the tank spotless without a hint of algae. Eating algae is something that he's stopped doing in the old tank ages ago.

On the one hand, if he had done it in the other tank I would never get the Chinese algae eaters. On the other hand, my aim was to have someone eating the algae, so mission accomplished after all.

Post by **Barbie** » 27 Nov 2004, 16:48

If the algae you had in the other tank was a type he's unable to eat, it would explain your problem. Many people want their plecos to get off that hard spot algae they get on the glass. You give it a try with your lips sometime and you'll have a much better understanding for why he can't ;). On a serious note though, Chinese Algae eaters are only good for eating algae until they are 3 inches or so, and then they'd much rather eat flake food or whatever else the others are getting and terrorize the fish in the tank. I've always thought they should change their name!

Barbie

sirbooks · Post by **sirbooks** » 29 Nov 2004, 14:09

I agree with Barbie. Chinese algae eaters stop eating algae as they mature, and they get more aggressive, as well. The ancistrus might be chasing the CAE now, but wait until the CAE reaches full size! In fact, you might want to make plans for moving that fish. A twelve inch, grumpy "algae eater" with an attitude is not a good fish for a 96 liter tank, and it may even bother your cories. A Siamese algae eater might be better for that tank, as they are much better algae eaters than the Chinese, they stay smaller, and are more peaceful. If you do go that route, make sure you get a real Siamese algae eater, and not one of its look-alikes.

Untitled · Post by **Untitled** » 02 Dec 2004, 13:20

Thanks Barbie and Sirbooks. I actually bought the chinese algae eater because I was led to believe tha they are the siamese algae eater. It will move soon, when I get the chance to do it, as it's quite hard to catch and I don't want to cause a commotion at the moment. Unlike the ancistrus, they lack any sex appeal anyway. Have done a better research about siamese algae eaters and I hope I'll get it right next time.

Graeme · Post by **Graeme** » 02 Dec 2004, 13:29

Here's a handy link to keep in your Fav folders Untitled. http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/

Graeme.