[fsxnate]

Hello all, I have a Red Tail Catfish (Phractocephalus Hemioliopterus) and a Red Devil Cichlid. This is my issue, the two fish both live in a 50 gallon community tank with 3 tinfoil barbs (3 inches) and two plecos (2.5 inches). The red devil is around 8 inches and the catfish is around 8. I have a fairly large castle and both seem to live peacefully 98 percent of the time. I have noticed however, that the Cichlid will bully the catfish every now and then, and the fins seem pretty chewed up. I have tried adding a second shelter apart from the castle, but that doesn't solve the problem, nor do I have the funds to purchase a second tank that would be large enough for the catfish, is there any other solution then a separate tank for the catfish?

Nate

 

[susankat]

Try taking the fish out and re-arraigning the tank then put them back. That way the territories will be gone and they will have to make new ones.

On a side note; I hope your planning on a very large tank soon as red tails will outgrow that tank before to long.

 

[Fishboydanny1]

change the 8 inches to 8 feet and you got the adult size of that little kitty! sorry, but i don't have any reccomendations besides the fact that catfish & cichlids have always been enemies at some time. africans absolutely hate catfish, and your red devil is usually good prey for an adult redtail!

 

[jrodriguez]

yeah...red tails are for like those huge show aquariums and the best thing to do is to take it and return it to the lfs or trade it

 

[fsxnate]

I have done what I think is best and returned the catfish to the store, where they said they will heal it and find it a proper location.

 

[BlueSaphire]

That was the right choice, the fishes safety should always come first. Good luck with your tank.

 

[James0816]

whew...happy ending....just read this. the bullying would have stopped eventually. You would have noticed that the red devil and tinfoils had vanished. ...( wink, wink )

 

[ladyonyx]

Good choice. All your tank inhabitants will be much better off now.