Do fish have a hard time getting used to other fish?

[bella24]

While on vacation last week, my neighbor accidentally killed one of my fish from over feeding them. I felt really bad because all thats left is 1 fish and an algae eater so I went and bought 4 more of the same kind (guppies). Now it looks as though 2 of the new fish are ganging up on the "old" fish and chasing him around the tank. Is this happening? or are they playing? I wanted to get him some new friends but not if they are going to be bullies to him.

I realize this may be a stupid question but do fish get along with other fish or do they have personalities that the other fish may not like? Can some be bullies? :confused: Yes- this is a serious question and I need serious advice. Thanks for any help.

oh- and is this the right category for this question?

[Iggy the Lizard]

While on vacation last week, my neighbor accidentally killed one of my fish from over feeding them. I felt really bad because all thats left is 1 fish and an algae eater so I went and bought 4 more of the same kind (guppies). Now it looks as though 2 of the new fish are ganging up on the "old" fish and chasing him around the tank. Is this happening? I wanted to get him some new friends but not if they are going to be bullies to him.

I realize this may be a stupid question but do fish get along with other fish or do they have personalities that the other fish may not like? Can some be bullies? :confused: Yes- this is a serious question and I need serious advice. Thanks for any help.

oh- and is this the right category for this question?

yes,it is

and the other,just their guppies games

[MaxPower]

Fish have very interesting dynamincs.

I had two community fish (community meaning fish that generally get along well with other fish) and the big one always, always picked on the smaller one. It was constant. He'd get just bombarded if he dared to swim out of his little corner of the 55 gallon tank. This went on for about a year. Then, out of nowhere, the little fish just retaliated and started beating the crap out of the big fish...pecking him, ramming him all. the. time. This went on for about 3
days. It ended in the death of the big fish. I guess the little fish had enough.

So, short post unnecessarily long, yes, fish have personalities and can gang up on others. Also, it could be a matter of gender. You can try adding a few more to hopefully even them out.

I've had fish my whole life...please feel free to ask more...

[MayBear]

I just gotta share this story here, since it's the "fish" thread! :wink:


Check out my fish tale here: What a fish tale! :rolleyez: (http://www.losttv-forum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1812446&postcount=5935)

I guess I learn something new every day.

[MaxPower]

I just gotta share this story here, since it's the "fish" thread! :wink:


Check out my fish tale here: What a fish tale! :rolleyez: (http://www.losttv-forum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1812446&postcount=5935)

I guess I learn something new every day.


That's funny and sooo true. They are all talk until you put them with other fish! We always have a beta around. There was one that we did end up putting in our tank and he did really well, but they are usually quite happy in their own small contained space.

Here's my recent beta story.

We have one on our kitchen window sill. We've had one there since we've lived in the house...over 3 years. Never had a problem. Sunday morning, I'm making breakfast and just failed on a piece of french toast....another story...so I had just put the egg shells and the wet bread down the drain, but didn't flip the disposal yet. I look up and see that the beta is gone! I ask my husband if he went to fishy heaven and forgot to tell me. He says no. We look at eachother, then the empty bowl, then the drain. Mr. Power reaches in, pulls out egg shells, wet pieces of bread, and then.....our beta. Alive! And he's doing fine! I was just seconds from turning him into fish soup, poor guy!

[Warthawg1]

Betas can get along with most other fish.... as long as other fish are not betas.

The only other fish that my beta has issues with (other than other beta's) are fancy tailed guppies. I think that's because the FT Gups remind him of other beta's.

In a tank with most other freshwater fish.. a single beta can do well and not go on some murderous rampage. Personally though... I like to keep beta's in individual small containers right next to one another. Their taunting of each other through the glass can be quite entertaining.