Behaviour of Occies

yhbae

yhbae

AC Members
Aug 5, 2003
1,423
0
0
Canada
www.aqadvisor.com
Looks like the 6 juvies have settled nicely. If you recall my tank, I have shells in 3 areas - right side has about 20 shells, middle part has 6 and right corner has 2. Java Ferns are blocking from direct view between these areas. The most dominant one actually settled on the middle area and the 2nd boss occupies on the right side. These two rarely fights but both of them chases others away from their territory. When they do fight, the middle one always wins. The two are the largest and colors are most vivid. Can I safely assume these two are males? Or do females also do this?

Its very clear my juvies are not from the same batch as 2 are significantly larger than the other 4 who tend to drift from one area to next. Largest of the 4 decided to occupy the left side with 2 shells and tries to fight off the other 3 but not always successful... :D

So far, no serious fights between Julies and Occies. Both species absolutely don't touch SAE.
 
Well, as you describe it, yes; it seems that those 2 shellies are males.
 
My six occie's are from the same batch and i never see any aggression but i haven't had them with anyone else so its hard to say on aggression with others..

But for them there seems to be a pecking order and all follow the lines of territorial space and even so more now that they have a 20gal long..
 
Small update to this tank.

Looks like I have 3 males minimum. Shells are spread around 3 areas with plants in between so they don't see each other anymore. 3 males are co-existing without any conflicts for now. I assume territorial ones are all males? The ones who managed to get shells seem to have more pronounced colors.

The other 3 are smaller and paler in color and they stay all over the place. If they come near those shell piles, they are chased away but because there are many hiding places, chase rarely lasts more than 1 second.

After blackout to get rid of hair algae, I noticed an interesting behavior. When I lifted the tank cover, 3 smaller ones were occupying same space as the largest male and when they woke up, the little ones refuse to leave... Colors brightened up, and fins fully erected. When I put my hands in water to clean some shells, the little ones were attacking me... haha. Cute. :D
 
Oh and about those Julies that co-exist in the same tank....

Looks like one of them decided the rock pile is his. Others drift around under the heater, spots between plants and even near the shells. The most dominant 2 fishes in the tank are the two most dominant Stappersi males. The largest Julie seems to be winning the battle against #3 Stappersi. The rest aren't very aggressive at all for now.

I'm still watching out for the day when pairing up starts and stop the bloodbath before it begins.
 
heheehe bloodbath

cool it sounds like all are doing good so far.. have fun..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom