I just bought a 4" Calico Ranchu and he consistently but not constantly nips at the other fish in the tank (5" Calico Ryukin, 4" Calico fan tail, 4" Oranda-Pearscale). Could I train him not to do it?
Tank parameters
50 gal tank operating for ~3 years with Goldfish Connection UV, Ultraclear filter, heat (74 F) & air
Moderately planted with Anubias (reg/dwarf), Java Fern, 2 or 3 bunches of Crypts, Onions
Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, run ~0.0
PH = ~7.5
Full Version: Training Fish Not To Nip Other Fish
I am sorry to say that there is no way of "training" one fish to do or not to do any behavior you deem right or wrong. They are going to do what they are going to do.
That said, you can understand WHY this is happening and perhaps adjust matters to discourage this behavior.
Many fish will chase and "nip" when breeding behavior is started. A new male fish, suddenly finding himself in a tank of pretty girls will have a field day, chasing and driving those girls to distraction.
A new female, in a tank of fish that are initiating breeding behavior will often join in - acting as if she were a male - chasing and nipping.
Some fish are territorial - to a degree. When you have an established tank and add in a new fish, it is often a wise thing to move the plants and deco around as well as do a very large water change. This will make the tank "new" for the established fish, too. It evens the playing field.
Usually, after all the fish get settled in, they will stop chasing and nipping (unless it is breeding - and then it stops when the female has released her eggs). I have had them chase for 3-4 days and then settle down.
Now and then, you will find a fish that simply is a tail shredder. I have one. He shreds his tank mates tails, male or female, young or old, etc. He simply has to live by himself.
That said, you can understand WHY this is happening and perhaps adjust matters to discourage this behavior.
Many fish will chase and "nip" when breeding behavior is started. A new male fish, suddenly finding himself in a tank of pretty girls will have a field day, chasing and driving those girls to distraction.
A new female, in a tank of fish that are initiating breeding behavior will often join in - acting as if she were a male - chasing and nipping.
Some fish are territorial - to a degree. When you have an established tank and add in a new fish, it is often a wise thing to move the plants and deco around as well as do a very large water change. This will make the tank "new" for the established fish, too. It evens the playing field.
Usually, after all the fish get settled in, they will stop chasing and nipping (unless it is breeding - and then it stops when the female has released her eggs). I have had them chase for 3-4 days and then settle down.
Now and then, you will find a fish that simply is a tail shredder. I have one. He shreds his tank mates tails, male or female, young or old, etc. He simply has to live by himself.
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