exploring unconventional alliances

[bettaMagenta]

In my tanks, I've noticed some unexpected friendships between fish. Today, I was observing a dominant apisto and a blue ram just chillin' together near this popular piece of driftwood. It's like everyone wants a spot under it, but the newer blue ram's trying to claim it from the other blue rams - not the Cory's, pleco's, or even the rummy's and pristella's, though. What really caught my attention was that the apisto's were welcome to hang out too, which is weird since I was told they'd kill each other. Anyone else have any unusual tank alliances?

I saw the two of them just hanging side by side, but of course, they wouldn't do it when I had my phone - the blue ram's not chasing the orange apisto away.

[muddywave]

It's pretty funny that the Ram can't catch those speedy Corys or the quick Rummys. I've had my fair share of unexpected alliances over the years - often due to my own lack of knowledge. I recall keeping Tiger Barbs with angelfish when I was younger, and surprisingly, they coexisted peacefully. However, when I tried the same combination years later, the outcome was vastly different.

I also kept a betta with a group of other fish, and it thrived. This was quite a contrast to my previous experience with a betta, where it hid and withered away when housed with other fish. I'm not one to claim I'm a quick learner, but I've been fortunate, or maybe I've just been blessed.

It just goes to show that most rules in this hobby come with a caveat - "most of the time." There's still so much that we don't know, and that's what makes this hobby so intriguing. It's this uncertainty that often makes me think, "well, maybe it'll work out."

[bettaMagenta]

I stumbled upon another unusual friendship today in my tank. My smaller diamond angel, who's been pretty submissive, has found a new buddy - one of the four accidental Geos I have in there. Interestingly, the submissive Geo has started hanging out with this new angel, and since the lights came on this morning, they've been inseparable, never more than a foot apart.

[graye]

When it comes to Cichlids, I've noticed that their behavior can change dramatically once hormones kick in. It's not uncommon for a submissive Geo and an equally bullied angel to end up in the same safe spot, not necessarily because they're looking for company, but simply because they're both seeking refuge. If they're hovering near the top third of the tank, close to a corner, it's likely they're trying to escape the chaos rather than seeking a friend.

In cases where they congregate near the surface in a corner, it's often a sign that they're struggling to survive and may need to be relocated to prevent further stress.

I also consider the specific niches of different Cichlid species. For example, Apistogramma are hidden spawners, while rams are open spawners. In a reasonably sized tank, they don't necessarily compete with each other for resources or space. If the Geophagus were similar in size and spawning habits, it's possible that they could coexist relatively peacefully, particularly since they're mouthbrooders.

[bettaMagenta]

I know, right, @graye, always bursting the bubble. I guess I was just excited to see the new angel and the submissive Geo hanging out, but you're right, they're probably just both after the same thing. The angel is sticking to the top third of the tank, near a popular plant that all the fish love to visit, and the Geo is spending less time in the sand. It still sneaks down there occasionally, but that usually ends in a chase. At least it's eating well during feeding time, and it's always picking at the roots of that plant. And the dominant angel has been leaving the new one alone, as long as it stays out of its territory in the center of the tank.

[Burgermuncher]

I recall a pearl gourami that would build a bubble nest, then try to court my largest angel - it was around that time I started thinking maybe gouramis and angels aren't the best mix.