Fish will bully each other for many reasons, but it usually occurs due to territorial disputes or competition at breeding time. Minor squabbles are a normal part of a fish community, but if a fish is constantly a victim of aggression, its health is at risk. Bullying is incredibly stressful and can even result in death. So, as a loving fish parent, here are six crucial things to know about fish bullying and how to prevent it.
1. Bullying Is Bad for a Fish’s Health
The first thing you must know about fish bullying is that it’s terrible for their health and well-being. The worst cases can even result in death. If a fish is subject to long-term bullying, it will be stressed, making it more vulnerable to diseases. A fish may be unable to eat if a bully prevents it from accessing food and may even leap from the tank to escape its attacker.
2. Fish Bully for Many Reasons
There are many reasons why fish bully, but it is usually a result of competition for territory, resources, or females at breeding time. It’s normal for fish to be aggressive if they are guarding eggs or young, and this usually calms down when the season is over.
Let’s take a closer look at the main reasons why fish bully:
1. Not enough space – Fish will be aggressive if they need to compete for territory and resources in an overcrowded tank. Do your research to find out how many fish you can put in a tank.
2. Not enough food – Fish will fight over food if there isn’t enough.
3. Personality clash – Sometimes, two individuals may have a personality clash.
4. Aggressive species – Some species are more aggressive than others and are likely to bully and even eat their tank mates.
5. Stress – Stress caused by poor living conditions may lead to bullying.
3. Signs of Bullying Include Injuries and Chasing
The best way to control fish bullying in a tank is by learning how to recognize the signs and address issues promptly. So, let’s take a closer look at the signs of bullying in fish:
1. Aggressive chasing – Sometimes fish chase each other playfully, but if one fish constantly chases another, this is an obvious sign of bullying.
2. Fin or tail nipping – If you notice that a fish has haggard-looking fins or tail, potentially, another fish is biting them.
3. Aggression at mealtimes – Bullying will be very apparent at meal times when the aggressor tries to prevent the victim from eating.
4. Abnormal behavior – This includes hiding, isolating, and erratic swimming. If a fish acts abnormally, it may be a victim of bullying.
5. Injuries – Visible injuries, such as lacerations, missing scales, and bite marks, may indicate a fish attack.
6. Dull color – A fish’s color will fade if it is stressed due to bullying and is a sure sign of an unhappy pet fish.
4. You Have Options for Addressing Bullying
Choose compatible tank mates and ensure they have enough space to prevent bullying. Bullying is a massive headache in an aquarium, so it’s better to take preventative measures to stop it developing.
If you want fish to live in harmony, look at the following tips on how to prevent fish bullying:
1. Put lots of decor and hiding places in the tank – Aquarium plants create barriers, and caves provide a safe space for fish to hide.
2. Ensure fish have enough space – Overcrowding is the primary cause of bullying. Fish compete for territory and resources if they don’t have enough space.
3. Don’t keep a lone species – A lone species may become a target.
4. Regularly rearrange your tank – Rearrange the tank every six to eight weeks to break down territories.
5. Use multiple feeding areas – Use several feeding spots to reduce the chance of bullying at mealtimes.
6. Only keep compatible species – Research compatibility before adding new fish to a tank and keep fish of a similar size.
5. Know When to Separate Fish
If you have tried all the above solutions to resolve bullying in your tank, and it continues, you must separate the fish. You should remove the bully rather than the victim and only remove the victim if he is injured and at risk. Use a breeding cage within the tank to isolate an aggressive fish and separate it for around a week. Isolating the aggressor will give him time out and hopefully break his aggressive behavior patterns. If the bully continues to be problematic after jail, you may have to rehome it. In this case, speak to your vet or local fish breeder for advice.
6. Aggressive Pet Fish Include Oscars and Cichlids
Some fish are more aggressive than others, especially carnivorous predator species, and you mustn’t keep them with small, vulnerable fish. That said, not all smaller pet fish are vulnerable – and in some cases, they can be just as aggressive as large ones.
Here’s a list of some of the most aggressive pet fish species to avoid:
1. Oscar – Oscars are a large, semi-aggressive species that grow up to 18 inches and need lots of space. They are incredibly territorial and may kill smaller fish.
2. Cichlids – There are many cichlid species, and most have aggressive tendencies, especially the red devil, which you must never keep with other fish.
3. Jack Dempsey – Named after the boxer, this fish attacks tank plants and inhabitants and eats smaller species.
4. Veil angelfish – Most Angelfish are territorial, especially around mating time, and will even kill each other and nip at humans.
5. Bucktooth tetra – This fish species has sharp teeth, and you must keep them in a large school separate from other species.
