DooberMan

relax VIC ....i am not fighting fish for sport. I would like a tank where the fish have somewhat of a purpose, a purpose to breed, a purpose to live...I would like them to have to deal with some things they may have to in the wild like territory and protectong young from predators. I think cruelty is putting things in a tank with nothing todo, just 'cause they're pretty. that is selfish. Discus I am not just wanting to put thes fish into a tank to see 'who wins'. I want animosity and territorial behavior. Some 'Hate in a bowl' Pufferpack Thanks for the suggestions, i like the idea of them not getting along and not killing each other. I am going to reasearch this a little more. Thanks for the tips from whoever wasn't a hater, i am going to look at some of the types suggested and figure out what will work with LITTLE or NO blodshed. for all you PETA members.lol (People Extorting and Terrorizing America)

To have an interesting aquarium about 6 months ago a friend of a friend put a tank together with some fish that don't get along very well. I'm not sure the size (maybe 40-50gal), inside were 2 types of convict fish(3-5 of each type and equal #'s), a pike cyclid and a fat wall sucker to help keep algae down that was too big for other ones to snack on. He found that upon introduction each type of convict stuck with their own kinds on each side of the tank and the pike cyclid made a home of the log he put in the bottom. They had established their area within hours and stopped attacking each other unless one wandered to far to the other side. Within the first couple days he had lost a couple of the convicts due to territory and testing the cyclid. The fish didn't continue to try and constanly fight, however each month he does loose a couple to the cyclid and some that would get too close to the others while breeding. Funny thing tho, when the cyclid would try and go after any of the convicts they would ALL chase him back to the log, despite each of the breeds not getting along themselves. He had replaced some convicts here and there to keep #'s on each side close to equal but within a few months both sides had started breeding so he has not had to replace any in a while. Now he has a tank with a very interesting balance of survival and the population doesn't get out of hand due to the size of tank and the cyclid eating the young and old fish that really want to test him. I would like to try and put one together (not saltwater) about 40-50gal, with other types of non-community fish and would like to ask which would produce a good balance (including ones that clean and wont be eaten). I am NOT looking for a bloodbath, but types that will act somewhat like described above. I was told at one of the stores in Edmonton to keep the fish I want to group the same size (#'s and mass), and intoducing a catylist such as a cyclid that was larger but out numbered probably created the seperation of the convicts to each side. Other that that they didn't have much suggestion of what types would work. I would like fish that are under $20 each to keep initial cost of aquarium under control. the larger one can cost more. What about live plants? do they make the tank get dirty fast? should i set up the plants without the fish a couple of weeks ahead of time? is maintaining the health of plants and fish really hard? or are they healthier when together? Was also thinking of putting in a crustation or 2 to keep debris off the bottom, any suggestions? Ill tempered crabs perhaps? lol.

Where is the best place in Edmonton for healthy fish? I am wanting to start a tank and want to know where to go.