[rommer]

Hi all!

In my tank i would love to keep a little group of Gnathonemus petersii (3 or 4). But i'm wondering if that's possible. The advice is to keep them or alone or in a big group (8 or more). I've heard that especially the adults aren't so nice to each other.

So i was wondering if there are people here who know if it's possible to keep Gnathonemus petersii in a small group?

My tank size is 200x80x70 (cm), and this is a picture of the tank:




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[Hotspot]

Hi,

I think it's a tryout with 3-4 specimen. All I heard/read about them stated that they build up a hierarchy and you can have problems with small grous, new fish und problems when taking out one member of the group.

With a tank that big I'd try a minimum of 6, introduce all together with no new petersii after the introduction. Plus various hideouts (2 per fish as a minimum) so that they don't see themselves too much.

I had a petersii once that was ~25 cm/~9 inches that was very aggressive against every fish that entered his hideout, I could not keep it with smaller fish 'cause they became very irritated. Also my specimen seemed to play with other fish that threatened some of them as well.

greets

Peter

This post has been edited by Hotspot: 15 January 2011 - 06:26 AM

[alfon76]

Sorry for the late reply. Gnathonemus petersii can be kept in groups but the key is large groups with lots and lots of hiding places. Basically you try to aquascape the tank in such a way that you might never see them again. Don't worry, you will but they need the hiding spots to feel secure and establish individual territories. I think you might be able to keep 3 or 4 if you have a lot of decorations and hiding places but it is still possible to have a super dominant specimen that tries to attack all the others. A group of 6 or more can give you more security and should be easier to establish.

Good luck,
Ivan