mixing more joselimaianus......

Sarajute · Post by **Sarajute** » 31 Jul 2007, 16:40

I currently have a 55 gallon tank which has a 7-8" (nose to tail) pterygoplichthys joselimaianus.

Recently I was given another 55 gallon goldfish tank that has a 4 inch pterygoplichthys joselimaianus in it. Could I put the 2 together? I'm kind of scared the bigger one might beat him up for the food. I don't know the sex of either of them, and I'm scared putting them togther might also be a problem.

Jackster · Post by **Jackster** » 31 Jul 2007, 17:07

I had a larger individual a few years ago and he was very aggressive even with African Mbuna.
I've never mixed two together in the same tank, but I'm guessing that the larger one would
"bully" the smaller one pretty badly, possibly even if they are opposite sexes. I also think
this species is a mud bank spawner which may be challenging to do in the aquarium.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 31 Jul 2007, 21:45

Jackster wrote: but I'm guessing that the larger one would "bully" the smaller one pretty badly, possibly even if they are opposite sexes.

I agree with the above.
You might try to put them together, but stay around to see what happens and interfere when necessary.

Bas Pels · Post by **Bas Pels** » 01 Aug 2007, 14:06

Although I have the idea joselimaianus is less agressive than the more colorfull gibbiceps like fishes, I would not combine them - or wait untill they are of similar size.

A month ago I had to remouve a dead gibbiceps from a tank (200 * 80 cm) in which I had 2 gibbiceps of similar size. I'm quiite certain it died from wounds inflicted by its colleague, as half its body was covered in shallow friction wounds. I can not think of any alternative cause

For me this is reason to treat my gibbiceps differently, I am plitting up a group of 5, and will not keep 2 together.

The gibbiceps were bought 3 yaers back, and have now a bodylength close to 30 cm