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I just received 6 of these.

I'm currently keeping two of them with C. brevirostris, a species similar to C. melanistus. The other four are in holding since that particular tank is a little crowded with my Microsynodontis sp.

Anyone have any experience with them? Aggression? Predation?

I never kept these, but I got other Brachyrhamdia - B meesi.

They are not agressive, nor predators. Still, Were I to keep Xiphophorus in their tank - I'm certain they would eat the fry.

Bas is correct. This species is not aggressive to tankmates and is not an out-&-out micropredator of fishes although it will eat small fry. This is my favourite of the brachyrhamdia species and is very rewarding. It will be interesting to observe the interaction with the corys & provide updates

After a bit of observation I've figured this much out:

1. The species is a bit territorial to its own species. They will posture for hiding spaces by mouthing pectoral fins or shaking in front of the opponents face.
2. They are highly competitive eaters. Shooing away same species and corydoras for food. They are also voracious predators. They ate some tiny ramshorn snails to my surprise. They also do regurgitate food if they eat too much.
3. While they do shoal with corydoras they prefer to be on their own, only grouping when they feel threatened.
4. They are most active close to lights out and right after the lights go out.

I had a group of 6 of these 20 years ago. Much the same observations as in previous posts. I kept mine with some smaller tetras ( cardinals, rummynoses ) without any predation. They were the first Brachyrhamdia sp. I had ever seen live. I acquired the group and really enjoyed keeping them. I haven't seen them since, and I wonder why. Any ideas as to why from anybody here?

I'm starting to think that these guys may be a little more predatory and less cory-like than previously thought. I just caught one B. imitator with the caudal fin of another B. imitator in its mouth as they fought for territory.

Jeffww wrote:I'm starting to think that these guys may be a little more predatory and less cory-like than previously thought. I just caught one B. imitator with the caudal fin of another B. imitator in its mouth as they fought for territory.

That would agressiveness not predatory unless it was eating the other b.imitator.

So I came home from school to the imitators...or rather imitator. There is one left when there were 3 in the home tank. The one left has also exploded in growth from just about 2" to over 3 1/2. I feel that this one became the dominant one and out competed its tank mates for food and just exploded in growth.

Bas Pels wrote:I never kept these, but I got other Brachyrhamdia - B meesi.

No, Bas. It's B. marthae ;)

Thank you for correcting me. However, in the meantime I also got B meesi - which I've had before

The marthae I still have

Oh, I wasn't aware of that, Bas.
How are they? Same behaviour as B. marthae ?

I think they are more visible during the day

More or less similar in social behaviour, but more visible