Phyllonemus typus Question

[Phyllonemus]

I have a small group of 4 Phylonemus typus (2m/2f)
I want to move them to a bigger tank (100cmx40cmx45cm) and I want to add 2 more (1m/1f).
Should I place all 6 at one time in the other tank or is it possible to move the 4 I already have and add the 2 new ones later ?

[MatsP]

I don't know if they are aggressive, but it is generally better to introduce all fishes to a new tank at once, rather than introduce fish into an established group.

--
Mats

[Birger]

Should I place all 6 at one time in the other tank or is it possible to move the 4 I already have and add the 2 new ones later

If they are stable(none are getting beat up or killed) in their current tank and especially If you have the new tank aquascaped a certain way than I would wait and put them all in at the same time...if you put the four in first than I would suggest to completely reorganize all the structure when adding the two new ones.

Birger

[Phyllonemus]

OK Clear !

[Richard B]

If you cant add them all together, i'd be tempted to add the new 2 first & the established group a day later.

certainly don't transfer the existing group prior to the new accquisitions - this is where trouble might occur - bear in mind the excellent Sidguppy photos of aggression with his specimens.

[MatsP]

I should point out that aggressive here should be read as "aggressive in defending territory", rather than aggressive when it comes to for example eating other creatures.

The purpose of introducing new and old fish at the same time to a tank is to allow ALL of the fish to be on the same level when it comes to how they are defining their territory. As Birger points out, if there is a group of fish already established in a tank, the best action is to completely reorganize the tank. Fish uses visual clues as to their territory, so by moving things around, the fish won't know where their territory starts and ends, and it allows the newcomers to "squeeze in" and find their own territor..

--
Mats

[Richard B]

Indeed, although from Sid's experience/photos it seemed the greatest aggression was over spawning rights (due to there being masses of territory available

[Phyllonemus]

Other question,
will they be more visible in a lager group than in a small group ?

[Richard B]

Other question,
will they be more visible in a lager group than in a small group ?

Most likely, yes but this is not the sole contributory factor - my single specimen is out most of the time. The key is to make the fish feel comfortable & secure in their environment.

Probably good water conditions, good feeding, suitable dithers (cyprichromis seem good), masses of caves, territory etc will all play a part