[TMB60]

First the scenario, then the question:

Scenario: I have 3 juvie Calvus growing out in a 20L. One has claimed the tank, keeping the other 2 pushed up in the corner. Tank has many rocks with multiple caves.

Question: Is aggression always/usually male vs. male or could it also be male vs. female?
If it's the first case, then I have 3 males and I would separate them now(?)
If it's the other, then I assume the aggressor is a male and I'm still unsure what the other two are. In this case, would you leave them all together and "wait and see"?

For that matter, is it safe to assume that the aggressor is always a male?
As always, thanks in advance for your help.

Tom

 

[shellies215]

If it was me, I might just rearrange all the rockwork and then leave the lights off for two days and see what happens. Maybe someone else has a better idea, as I haven't had this with my calvus. What size are they now?

 

[TMB60]

The Calvus are about 1.5". That's a good suggestion Shellies.....might be worth a shot.
Curious what others will agree.

Funny thing is I also have 7 Comps (1.5 - 2") temporarily in a 30g with NO such aggression issues at all........yet. But that'll change in time, I'm sure.

 

[shellies215]

That's too funny, I have 6 comps, and 3 calvus, maybe we're long lost twins. I doubt it. Anyway, one of my calvus is always in the rocks except to eat, the other two choose to swim in open water, but can go in/out of the rocks as they please, no aggression. I think those 2 might be females. (the calvus are in a 40 breeder w/ 8 blue occies)

My 6 comps are in a 55, very little aggression, everyone has plenty of space. The comps are about 2 inches, and seem to be growing quite fast for comps from what I've heard about them.

 

[TMB60]

That's too funny, I have 6 comps, and 3 calvus, maybe we're long lost twins.

LOL....maybe not twins, but fish brothers maybe. My 7 comps like to hang out as a group.
Yea, there's a little push or shove now and then but it doesn't amount to anything. Glad to hear all your comps are doing well in the 55. But from what I've read here, that may change as they grow if there's more than 1 male in there. Same situation for me though. So I'm planning ahead....I'm in the process of getting my new 75g set up and right after that I'll be adding a 40L or 55g. That will give me 4 tanks to divide my calvus and comps into. The plan is for all tanks to be 2 species tanks.....each tank will have calvus or comps in it, with one other species like shellies, julies, caudopunks, etc. for tankmates. Kind of a "keep it simple" approach. From all I read here, I'm starting to shy away from the thought of 3 to 4 species tanks, esp since none of my tanks will exceed 48 inches.

But I'm still wondering about aggression in general. Is it usually just male vs. male or can it be male vs. female......or any other m/f combo? Anybody have answers?