[Cowman1999]

I have 4 piranhas in my 55 gallon tank.... I know it sounds overcrowded, but they are all only like 2-3 inches right now. They've been living happily together for about 3-4 months. Well just now I checked on them and one of them is hiding in some plants on the side of the tank where they never are. They are very much territorial to the left side of the tank and never venture to the right side for more than a few seconds. Well I looked at him and he is very beat up. No flesh has been taken out but all the fins are nicked up and he's obviously very scared.

What does everyone think I should do? I have a divider I could put in for a few days.. I don't know. This is the first altercation between them all.

All help is appreciated. Thanks...

cow

 

[MPower]

I'd place him in a hospital tank until he heals up. Or you can add salt to your 55 and add more covering or divide the tank.

 

[Grosse Gurke]

My guys have had fin nips and large bites out of there back and I have never separated them or added salt for this. I have also never lost a piranha. Maybe I have been lucky but I think this is just what we deal with owning this species. He has plenty of room to chill, I would not do anything.

 

[RhomZilla]

I also used to have 4 RBs in a 55 gal. 3 of the biggest ones took a third of their territorial space, which left the 4th one to hide and get beat up alot. Your gonna need a bigger tank, sorry to say.. but it'll be best for your Ps.

 

[pcrose]

I'd place him in a hospital tank until he heals up. Or you can add salt to your 55 and add more covering or divide the tank.

I agree but if they aren't fed well then they start nipping that can be the case sometimes or if the tank is overcrowded with fish than they tend to nip just look at a lot of the lfs..wait that is for small p's I dunno I forgot the size of yours but listen to mpower

 

[jabster]

I'd agree with bigger tank and more food. But, they do always get fin nips.

 

[Xenon]

I think the tank size is fine. These things will happen. I would ensure they are well fed. If your fish decide to take out one of their tankmates, they will do more than nip some fins. The fins will grow back and I bet they will live happily ever after.

 

[piranha198220]

yea they will be fine you could put him in a hospital tank if you want but its not need it will be ok

 

[Cowman1999]

Ok so I decided to give it tonight and the fin 'nips' are now basically no fins left on the poor guy. So I decided to put my divider in to separate the one P from the 3 others, the convict, and the crawdad. Well all the 3 aggressive ones want to do is bust down that divider. They've been swimming against it and trying to dig out the gravel around the bottom. And not 10 minutes ago I went to check them out and I saw my crawdad dead. They are pissed off and took it out on him I guess. He was fine 30 minutes ago when I checked. I'm going to give it through tomorrow and I might mix them again but we'll see.... I really don't want to lose a P. Will LFS take him for a trade I wonder? If he's going to be killed I might as well try to get something for him....

cow

 

[piranha198220]

well a crawdad will cie with ps anyway so dont loose sleep on that but try to get the one fish better than try again if still the same trade it or sell it thats what i think

 

[Xenon]

Ok I think this might be a problem with the 3 dominant fish beating up on the runt. Take the runt out and let his fins heal up completely. I would rearrange the tank and reintroduce him when he is all healed up to try and give it another go.

I dont know if this is the wisest advice but maybe you could buy another P to get an odd number of 5? Call me crazy but I am a believer in the 'odd number' theory.... just something to consider..

good luck.

 

[Innes]

I would do a water change, change the tank decorations, add 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons (assuming you have none in your tank already) and feed them.
and add loads of plants & rocks for it to hide in.