Although I've never determined if Bernie is truly an Oranda or not, it appears he might be and I've noticed that he has a tendency to become very aggressive at times. At the moment, he's harassing my biggest stub-tailed gf, who is about 3x bigger than he is.

Just curious if this is an Oranda trait?
Lisa

I dont think its necessarily an oranda trait, rather a small fish trait. Ive heard that small fish will change big fish all over the place. I brought home a baby red cap and man! He would not leave my bigger fish alone! Finally I had to seperate him into a tank of smaller fish. When he gained a little size I returned him with the larger fish and now he is peaceful. How big is your oranda?

I don't know why, but now I have images of Chihauhaus chasing German Shephards. Little anythings want to be Big Tough Guys, don't they?



Let's see...he's about 2.75" in body without tail and kind of has a long body. The one he's chasing (Bob)looks like a small tennis ball. It would probably take about 2 1/2 Bernie bodies to equal Bob's body mass.

Lisa

Ooops, I meant to put "chase" not "change" in my original post!

Almost 3 inches is more than my redcap now. Hmm.. But Bob sounds a lot bigger than him. Is Bernie going for the butt like breeding behavior or is it more malicious?

Well, sometimes he's up his butt in breeding behavior fashion, other times he's all over him. Like he's trying to herd him or something. Swims alongside and bumps him, messes with his head, pushes him out of the way etc.

I'm 99% sure Bob is actually a Bob and not a Bobette. I've witnessed a lot of breeding behavior from him with my confirmed females.

Maybe Bernie is...confused?

Lisa

Im sure that can happen? Poor Bob.

Yah, he doesn't look too happy at the moment...




Oh! It just occurred to me! Could it be that Bernie is being this way because Bob is somewhat new? I've only had him for a little less than a month. When Goldie passed, my stepdaughter felt so bad she brought me Bob. I totally did NOT need more fish, but what could I do? She had the best intentions, bless her heart.

Then again, I have caught him being a little bully-ish with my other fish on occassioin. Both males and females. He seems to not know the diff, maybe?.

Anyway, Bernie is leaving Bob alone for now. I'll just have to keep my eye on him, like an errant child.

Lisa

I just caught that! LOL! Methinks you made a Freudian slip, my dear.

Lisa

Bob is sooo cute!

It could be a territorial thing. Or he could be confused. Or he could be a meanie.

Awww, your fishie is so cute. I used to have 5 tigerbarbs and the one was bullying the others. He ended up killing all of them, I was too late to save any, though I tried. I still have the mean one, he's in a 5 gallon all by himself

Or a combo of all three. Man, gf are never boring, are they?

Shamu, I've had experiences like that with tiger barbs in the past. Their name definitely fits them. Rosy barbs are a little better, but not much. Odd, being that they are schooling fish.

Lisa

I have some ruby barbs now, they are much nicer

Out of my five oranda's two are bullies. One I believe to be a ryu/oranda mix..My tiny little terror is 3 inches and will go right for the eyes of my 7 inch oranda. Currently the two meanies reside together one one side of the tank divider and everyone else in harmony on the other.

I bought a new oranda a couple of months ago. Put him in my tank, and he started chasing my 2 and a half year old comet!

My oranda's bigger than my other fish, newer than my other fish, and much more agressive.

Although really he only turns into a bully when there is food involved. He'll try to push the other fish out of the direction of the food. Or if he feels he hasn't got his 'share' he'll bump the fish 'cause he knows he's holding some in his mouth, lol. I just make sure the oranda gets his share and they're usually cool.