Dueling Bushynose.

Okay, here is my situation. I have had a male albino bushynose in my 125g planted tank for about 4 years. At the end of January of this year I added another bushynose male. Since then, they fight several times a week (that I see). There is plenty of places to hide, several "cave" area's, lots of driftwood, but the moment one catches the sight of the other a fight breaks out. The fight itself is really interesting behavior. They will line up nose to tail, then back up and viciously lock their gill plates to each other and thrash around. The even uproot plants and have knocked over a small piece of driftwood in the tank.
Here is the questions: Can they seriously harm each other? I look at them closely after a fight and never have noticed any damage around the gill plates or anywhere else on their bodies. I was hoping 4 months later they would have settled down since there is a big 6ft. by 18" foot print for them and plenty of territory for them to stake out as their own. :irked: Has anyone had experience with this?
Would you re-home the new guy? I worry about just the stress of the fights with each other causing other issues with them. I guess I know what I need to do, I am just wanting some one to affirm it.

Thanks all!

Thank you for such a quick reply. I guess I should have stated that the first thing I did do was re-arrange the rock work and some of the driftwood in hopes that it would help with a cease fire. The primary aggressor is also the 2nd fish that was added, so I was thinking he may just need to find something that is his "own". I did another re-arrange in the tank last Thursday with hopes that would help..nope. I even make sure to feed my fresh food for them in two opposite ends of the tank to try to keep them from fighting over the same piece of zuch...doesn't work. It's like whenever the brown one sees the albino he just goes nuts and a fight ensues. They are quick and don't last long, but worried they will do major harm to each other or harm another fish in the tank while fighting.

I think I will give him to my friend with a large tank if she will take him. The only other tanks in my house are 2 10g and the kids 5g betta tanks which are far from appropriate for him.

Thank you all for the replies. I think I will simply re-home the primary aggressor. I also have three wee L400 juvenile plecs in there with them and would be extremely upset if one of them were to be injured during their battles or if one of the bushy nose were to be seriously injured.

So...... Free brown male bushy nose adult for pick up in east central Indiana.


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Lol. I'm about 4 hours from Chicago. Half way between Indianapolis and Ft. Wayne outside of an itty bitty one traffic light town named Fairmount. Our great claim to fame is James Dean was born and raised here.

I'm sure he would love your tank but with the price of gas it would hardly be prudent. I have a friend with a 125 and another friend with a 220. I'm raising up some juvenile angelfish for their tanks (they have bigger fish with bigger mouths. Lol) so I think I will just take him to one of them with the angels this week as a *bonus*.


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