DISCUS - Question re: Aggressive behavior by Dominant Alpha

[discuspaul]

I'm maintaining 6 juvenile discus in a planted growout tank (fish sizes - 2 & 1/2" to 3 " & 1/2"). Fish doing well & growing nicely. Everything OK for first 2-3 months, until a red melon grew larger/ faster than the others & has become a dominating "bully", chasing all others incessantly & no doubt creating stress - although no real damage appears to be being done. Any good suggestions on steps that could be taken to alter this behavior ?

[pinkertd]

A little bullying and determining the pecking order is normal for discus. If it's non-stop, it'll be non-stop even if you give him a time out in a separate tank for a while. Been there...done that. I've only ever had one serious bully that needed to be rehomed. Constant stress and relentless bullying could have a very negative and detrimental affect on the other young discus.

[fishorama]

What size tank are they in?

[discuspaul]

They're in a 55 gal. Don't believe they're overcrowded yet - but at the rate they're growing, I know I'll have to downsize, or get a larger tank in the near future.
Water parameters are always excellent - I do frequent, large w/c's & maintain pristine tank conditions, with crystal clear water. PH 6.8 - temp. 86 F. - Nitrates - < 5.
Any suggestions ?

[fishorama]

No, that's what my juvies are in. Mine all fight a bit sometimes but no 1 bully. I've read if you get rid of 1 bully another may just take it's place. Are the fish all getting enough to eat? Maybe rearrange the tank so the bully can have a visual territory & the others a safe zone or 2.
I have a bare tank with 2 potted plants, 1 of the bigger discus sometimes defends an end from everyone except it's special friend or 2. But it's also the sleeping end for all, like kids, "mom, he's touching me!"

[discuspaul]

Thanks, Debbi,
I'm well aware that a little bullying & a pecking order is normal for discus - but this behavior has gone well beyond that. Also know that relentless bullying (That's exactly what it is) is very stressful & can/will have a detrimental effect. Was looking for any reasonable solution, if any, short of re-homing premanently.

[discuspaul]

Thanks for your comments.
I'm feeding a varied diet 2-3 times a day & am certain they're getting enough to eat, judging by their growth to date.
Have tried changing the 'scenery', and there are several "safe" hiding zones, which are being well utilized. As I said to Debbi, I'm just looking (perhaps too wishfully) for another solution, if any, short of re-homing permanently.

[discuspaul]

Sorry, Fishorama
Should have been directing my comments to you, not Debbi.
Appreciate your input.
Emile

[Star_Rider]

emile
you can try all the possibles but ultimately, you will need to keep a close eye out.
Unfortunately, there are some fish that are extremely aggressive and you may just have to remove that fish.

[fishorama]

Maybe it will calm down once the others catch up more in size? A tank divider could be another possibility, people use light diffusor grids from HD

[wesleydnunder]

As stated, with a group of juvies growing out you're gonna have one rise to the alpha position. That's the way they're wired. The last group of juvies I raised one became so aggressive he actually got named Bully and called "Mean-***". Even so, the others grew to full adult size and accepted the situation. If you get rid of the fish another will take his place. The new alpha may be just as bad. You may try spot feeding the others if he's pushing them away from the food to make sure they get enough to eat.

Mark

[discuspaul]

To Mark - Wesleydunder
Thanks for your comments.
Good news that your other fish survived your really aggressive discus' bullying - there's hope for me then, if I leave him in with the others.
Mine really doesn't bother the others during feeding - he's too busy getting his own share - & the others get theirs too. It's just the rest of the time when they're just lolling about - & it's not just one portion of the tank he appears to be defending, or keeping others away from - it's the whole tank.
The others always do manage to elude him/her, without damage, & stick around - they don't hide much & if so, not for long - so maybe it's not bothering them immensely.
Emile

[Sportsnutim]

I've dealt with aggressive discus in my 55 gallon. The best way I found was up to eight most around the same size no more than 4 inches long. I had really good luck not any more than that. Or I moved the one aggressive one usually another one took over the aggressive role.