Update on my SR

[Cirrus]

My new SR took about a week to start showing its aggressive side. It is currently with six clown loaches, an Aussie lungfish, and an Indodat in my old 150 (5X2X2) tank with sump and Eheim filtration. Maybe it suddenly saw the lungfish as some kind of competitor (they are both about 16 inches), as it suddenly started going down and nailing the poor fish again and again. Luckily the lungfish has big scales, but after losing about 6 of them, and starting to take some head shots too, I realized he had to go.

I had hoped to have my 300 gallon tank running by now as that would have maybe allowed the aro to mellow out a bit more.

The aro was eating market prawn for the first few days, but then just turned off it. I have tried every day for the last week (shrimp and arosticks), but no interest. Yesterday I gave in and offered it some earthworms - it ate 6 large ones. Hopefully this will jumpstart its appetite and I can get it eating market prawn again. Meanwhile, I think I know why I have never seen an Asian aro/aussie lungfish combination before; I am guessing that Asian aros just do not put up with them.

Thus, it is on to Plan B: Polypterus endlicheri...

 

[hondas3000]

From my experience aro seem to be more aggressive to fish that is same or similar to size, so as long as you have fish that is smaller then its ok. My red is aggressive in my tank as well.

 

[chen88]

perhaps all is different depending on tank size, waterflow, food and tank mates. My 17" doesn't bother anyone but I've had some pretty nasty aros both RTG and SR's.

 

[bcarlos]

It's strange, because you'd think based on their ranges that the aro would ignore the lungfish. Did you try plugging a powerhead mid-top level?

I've kept similar size plec's in with asian aro's and never had a problem. Then again, the plec does have the advantage of spikes and armour protecting him.

It's too bad it didn't work out, because that aussie lungfish has got to be one of the coolest fish owned on this forum.