giraffe catfish aggression

asianeric · Post by **asianeric** » 01 Apr 2004, 22:03

my two giraffe catfish (about 5 yrs old) which have been usually placid and co-existing in peace have suddenly turned against each other. the smaller darker one appears to be the aggressor. the bigger, ligher one is now forced to retreat to a safe corner. the aggressor also chases away other species but not as much as its co-species. what could be wrong?

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 01 Apr 2004, 23:39

They could be sexually mature. It's not uncommon for fishes (catfish or otherwise) that are readily compatable as juveniles to turn on each other as they mature.

The smaller one may just be a male trying to stake out a territory.

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 02 Apr 2004, 20:19

no, he was just lucky.

I've adopted one (yeah, I know; tank too small etc) when he was made miserable by two others in a huge tank. Since then, those two turned on each other as well.

we're talking 2meters 500+ liters tanks here (including mine).
wich is too small to house even a single giraffe, they simply get too big.

And although Giraffenoses are very peaceful to any fish, they're highly territorial when growing up.
the biggest of that herd was about 35 cm (1'2"), it wasn't sexually mature by a loooooong shot.
they're supposed to reach 2-3,5 feet, so I would take a guess and say they're probably sexually mature at half a meter or so; 20".

how big are yours?

asianeric · Post by **asianeric** » 02 Apr 2004, 22:14

both are about 2 feet long although the more aggressive one is slightly smaller in length and build. i keep them in an outdoor pond six feet long by four feet wide and three feet deep. but its kinda crowded with other fishes.