compatability theory

[dino_eel]

the theory I've heard, but uncertain of, is that two fish that are different species, (for example a Angel and Tetras) introduced at the same time, when at the same size, will grow up together and see each other as family

but if you introduce tetras into a mature angel fish tank the tetras end up being a snack

does any one support this theory or against it?

 

[patoloco]

Fish can form habits, and I've seen how my goldfish likes to hang out with a koi. They even rest togheter.

I believe it is possible that a fish that has shared his whole life with another one can see it as a "friend", and hang out togheter. It's common to see different species of scholling fish forming a single large school in aquariums. Maybe this would not happen in the wild, but the reduced space a tank provides might cause this.

Also, I saw this phenomena in my tank: I have a knife fish (predatory) and it shared his tank with a long term kept platty. The knife never showed interest in eating the platty, so I aded another 3. It was a matter of minutes for the knife to eat his first platty. After eating the 3 newcomers, it was the time for the old one.

I think the knife considered the new additions food, and just started eating all that looked alike. The newly added fish distorted the balance.

 

[Hez Yeux]

I know the national aquarium in Balt. MD keeps natural predetors together. To show a more full exhibit they add species of animals that would not co-habitate in nature. They keep this under check by making sure the predetors are well feed and closly watched during the setup phases.

 

[abraham]

I have had successes with your "theory" and subscribe to it myself. I don't think it's a "family" thing as much as it's just routine, the way things are so to speak. I've even been able to add neons to an exsisting school with out any problems. This is, in my mind, due to the fact that my angels are used to having a school of neons in the tank with them, not so much as to the number of neons.
I also agree with platoloco, that if you had only one "accepted fish" and then added more, they'd be out of place and then the problems would begin.

Abraham