Time to Dither?

[LongTime]

In the 125:
2 Convicts & a host of fry (fry leaving this weekend)
2 JD
1 Texas Cichlid (Female)
2 Pictus Cats
2 Bristlenose plecos

Since the convicts have paired and it appears the dominant JD and the Texas think they are "in love." the smaller JD, who is the smallest fish in the tank and I am not sure of its sex, is having a rough time. It is caught between the two pairs. He has places to hide and is still getting his share of the food.

Should I add a few dither fish to try to take some of the heat off of it? If so, what do you suggest?

[N8DOGG]

I think silver dollars would work in a small school......thats just my guess. Maybe some giant danios?as long as they couldn't fit in anyone mouth

[hle_81]

dither fish such as silver dollars would do well w/ the convicts & dempseys in your tank

[Tyler718]

Both of these would be good dithers. I use giant danios in my 150g with a combination of fish similar to yours.

Dave

[Tightdog1]

yea giant danios, silver dollars and rainbow fish all work very well as target fish, dither fish are used when fish dont come out and are scared a lot. target fish are used to side aggression.

[Shierkahn]

I ues Tin foil barbs in my 150 w/ SA and CA's. they seem to do there job most of the time.

[LongTime]

Originally posted by Shierkahn
I ues Tin foil barbs in my 150 w/ SA and CA's. they seem to do there job most of the time.

I was thinking about them. Why did you say most? What happened?

Also, believe it or not, I knew a guy back in the late 80s who used tiger barbs! :thud:

[Shierkahn]

When I said " most of the time." I have this female Syspilium who's top fish.....even above my Red Devil, believe it or not. She won't allow any new fish in the tank. The Tin Foils were the last she allowed. Even though she killed the male Sysplium since then which was put in there at the same time as she. The last fish I tried to put in was a male Trimac and she killed him by the next day. So, for the most part the Tin Foils did there job.

[LongTime]

Thanks!

[LongTime]

Thanks everyone for your input. Today I added 3 tinfoil barbs to the tank and everthing seems to be going well so far.:)

[trouble3299]

Now i am guessing somethng the aggressive fish cannot catch,,FAST! Am i even close? I have 2 texas ch.<convicts> and they have nearly killed the little guy.so please let me know..

[Shierkahn]

Dither fish are usually used to make shy fish feel more at ease so they come out more often. Doesn't mean they got to be fast but, it helps them stay alive longer. So, speed definitly helps but, dithers are basicly just fish that are constantly swimming about to make the other fish feel a little safer.

[trouble3299]

Thanks for info,I had 1 really mean one and the outher hides alot,,I have 1 giant Danio ill put him in there because it takes me an hour to catch him with the net....Thanks

[Shierkahn]

Another thing....... you may want to have more than 1. I have 3 Tin Foils in my 150g that range from 3.5-6".

[LongTime]

Originally posted by trouble3299
Thanks for info,I had 1 really mean one and the outher hides alot,,I have 1 giant Danio ill put him in there because it takes me an hour to catch him with the net....Thanks

You sould have more than 1 target fish because it needs a break too!

[trouble3299]

Ok thank you for the advice i will put another or two in,,,Greatly appreciated...TY

[LongTime]

Go for 2 if you can because they are schooling fish. I wanted 5 tinfoils but my tank just couldn't handle it. I feel overcrowded with the three!

[trouble3299]

Will do ,,I can already see some differences..Thanks again

[Tightdog1]

the more you get the better cause like was said earlier they are schooling fish, and with more fish the aggression level should go down, i had acaras fishgting cons, until i put a bunch of danios in i got for cheap and now no 1 is fighting.

[trouble3299]

Hey all,Just thought id let ya know it worked..I used 2 giant Danios. and my .S.A cannot get close.One has this look he gives the biggest cichlid,like ..YOU CANT TOUCH THIS lol...thanks for all the great info...Libby