When Your Fish Fight:
there is trouble in the aquarium

Aggression between fish is one of the most common problems when it comes to keeping fish in your aquarium or pond. Injuries caused by aggression can lead to life-threatening bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases in your fish. You can keep this frequent cause of death and illness out of your aquarium by solving incompatibility problems.

The solution usually requires physically separating the dominant aggressive fish from the submissive fishes. Many fish hobbyists, especially new aquarists, want a variety in their aquarium. All too often, fish that are attractive, but kept separately in the pet store, won’t get along in the same aquarium or outdoor pond.

Even in ponds, larger koi will commonly injure or even kill smaller goldfish. Members of the same species may even kill and eat the smaller and weaker members of their own species.

Fish that are chased and manage to survive attacks by a more aggressive fish may go without food if they spend a lot of time hiding under a rock or in the corner of the aquarium. The responsible pet store clerk will usually advise you on which fish will get along with other fish. Even knowing this advice, some hobbyists still risk their fishes lives by placing incompatible individuals in the same system.

Tips for Keeping Aggression out of your Aquarium:

· Do your pre-purchase homework. There are plenty of books and magazine articles that discuss the behavior and habits of most pet fish species. In addition the internet is a wonderful resource for information. There are web pages concerning almost every species of aquarium fish. There are email discussion groups for many fish as well.

· Consult with your local pet store personnel or with knowledgeable members of The Tampa Bay Aquarium Society.

· Provide plenty of structures for hiding places in your aquarium in the form of rocks, caves, plants and driftwood. These items can provide life-saving refuge for your smaller and more submissive pet fish.

· Keep your fish well fed – but not overfed.

· Keep your water clean and change it regularly.

· Practice good quarantine procedures.