Unusual Aggression

[crispyythree]

So recently my Moba have been picking on each other though I am not really sure of what the problem is. I moved my smallest moba to a separate tank. Then they start picking on on of my smaller males. And these are two females mind you. So im really not sure of what the problem is. I've rearranged stuff for them. Rocks, pots, plants. But it doesn't seem to do the trick.. any advice?

[haixu]

Originally Posted by crispyythree

So recently my Moba have been picking on each other though I am not really sure of what the problem is. I moved my smallest moba to a separate tank. Then they start picking on on of my smaller males. And these are two females mind you. So im really not sure of what the problem is. I've rearranged stuff for them. Rocks, pots, plants. But it doesn't seem to do the trick.. any advice?

Cris prob not enough in your colony I suspect - take out all the rocks and cover the tank for a day or so just my IMO

[Sloory]

Could be the females are getting horny and the small males not ready? :P

[neutrinoman]

How long have you had them, what size are they, and what size tank? Do they seem to be fussing over caves?

[crispyythree]

I've had them since October if I can recall. Tank is a 6ft 125 gallon. Water is perfect and ph and temp. My ratio was 2m 3fm. Alpha now 10 inches. The rest are 5"-7". It's just them in the tank

[crispyythree]

Sloory. I doubt it. The Alpha male is willing to spawn all the time. In fact in the few months that I've had them I've had 3 spawns total from the females. No live babies yet but they hold longer and have more eggs. And Neutrino.
I think that's the problem. There's only 3 pots. And just rocks scattered. Should I add more caves?

[Ron R.]

Your group is establishing a pecking order. I usually have 2 or more of my wc Mobas going at it with frayed fins or missing scales as a result.

I have lots of caves which give the fish a safe place to hide. You may consider adding more caves.

I lost one of my females years ago because she was constantly picked on and stressed out. She would get beaten up, retreat to a cave, get healed and the process would start again. After about a year of this she died. I really thought she would get bigger and things would change.

For cuts, scrapes I add Melafix and Instant Ocean sea salt.