[deeboi]

I have 3 Caribe about 6.5-7.5" and I decided to get three more reds to put in this tank. I know it's a small tank but I wanted to try anyways after doing some reading. The reds were supposed to be in the 7 inch range but when I measured TL the biggest was 5.5" of the three. What I did was take out all the decor in the tank so it's just a bare tank and to lessen the territories of the Caribe but that didn't seem to work cause they seem to hang out in the same places of the tank anyways. All the reds hang out on the right hand side of the tank and they seem to be "bunched" up there. What I want is for them all to swim around the whole tank but the Caribe seem to be so territorial. Do you think if I add a strong powerhead I might get this where they swim around the tank instead of hang around in there own place in the tank. I already have a 402 but they don't even act like it's there. BTW I'm soon to get a bigger tank for these guys at least a 125, possibly a 180. Also I have a 4" Piraya that's supposed to be on it's way but I might just put it in it's own tank.

 

[Raptor]

I think for now i whould put the piraya in a different tank.

 

[RhomZilla]

One rule I go buy (especially with mixed PYGO) is that the Cariba should be a lil smaller than the rest of the pack. YOu will get different opinions about my statement, but most Caribas ARE territorial and even at a smaller size, would try to take over. Lower your temp and hold off on your Piraya and see what happens to the RBs.

 

[piranha 13]

One rule I go buy (especially with mixed PYGO) is that the Cariba should be a lil smaller than the rest of the pack. YOu will get different opinions about my statement, but most Caribas ARE territorial and even at a smaller size, would try to take over. Lower your temp and hold off on your Piraya and see what happens to the RBs.

 

[Xenon]

I would wait a little longer to see if it gets better, maybe add that powerhead. If it doesnt work I would take out the three rbp and put them in their own tank, then reintroduce all the pygos to the new tank when you get it. This way they can all start off fresh with no territories. Its funny they seem to be maintaining territories after you took out the deco.

 

[Grosse Gurke]

One rule I go buy (especially with mixed PYGO) is that the Cariba should be a lil smaller than the rest of the pack. YOu will get different opinions about my statement, but most Caribas ARE territorial and even at a smaller size, would try to take over. Lower your temp and hold off on your Piraya and see what happens to the RBs.

My cariba are not nearly as territorial as one of my yellow natts, he is the largest and by far the most territorial.

 

[deeboi]

Yeah the Caribe and the reds were supposed to be of equal size all around 7" each but unfortunately when I got the reds they were smaller. I do have a 29 gal tank for the Piraya that's coming or for the reds but also unfortunately for that tank I'm SOL because when I went to clean it it had a crack down the side. But I could always pick up a cheap 20L for the Piraya and as far as separating the reds I dunno, maybe a divider?

I think they'll be alright I'll add a strong powerhead like a RIO 1700 or 2100 until I get the bigger tank which will be sometime after the house tenting for termites when I have to move my tank.

 

[123]

those piraya will outgrow the 20 gal fast

 

[deeboi]

yeah i probably couldn't keep em in there too long. too bad that 29 gal is cracked damn! :sad: the plan is to get the bigger tank after the termite treatment though.

 

[DiXoN]

from what i have heard overstocking may only work in a larger tank ie 10 reds in a 125 gal possibly less with wild caught pygos. i had 4 reds in a 55 gal which was ok but a little tight as two of them were 8''
dixon

 

[deeboi]

I was just going by what I've heard. I should be using a larger tank. One guy I've talked to on the forums that had success w/overstocking had something like 15 P's in like a 90 gal.

 

[RhomZilla]

from what i have heard overstocking may only work in a larger tank ie 10 reds in a 125 gal possibly less with wild caught pygos

Thats the same rule I go by. 20 per P in anything smaller than an 80 gal. Anything over 100 gal, I'd risk 2 extra against the rule. I have 8 adult Rbs now in a 125 and all living in harmony.