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Today i went to the LFS and picked up some tinfoil barbs ... they were about 4-5 inches long, I put them in my oscar/severum tank. (I had to get rid of another large oscar recently due to 2 males in the tank and the one i kept getting thrashed repeatedly.)

Almost immediately upon putting the barbs in my male severum came out with ounced bandind. Normally it is hard to see its bars.

Anyhow im wondering if this is a territorial issue or did he just go into breeding mode and the tinfoils were just coincidence.

Dont worry its not a 55g tank <g>

Thanks,

Bdadawg

Bdadawg attached this image:

It looks to me like he's trying to look as mean and nasty as possible to the intruders which is what our green severum does too when he's having a fight with any of his tank mates. Has he settled in yet?

The Severums have been in the tank for about 6 months, the tinfoil barbs about 1.5 weeks.

As of today the Severums (both male and female) are showing the barring.

While i think they look great like this im hoping that they are not enduring undue stress.

Bdadawg

Mine does that when he is eating. I've always taken it as a sign he is happy.

I don't think it should be a problem.

I've seen mine do that for different reasons...new fish in the tank or a good meal. Funny thing is he/she often does it when I'm trying to take pics

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I think it's really neat the way they can change their coloring so easily. The first time I saw it, I thought something was wrong.
I have 3 Green Severums, and only the largest one shows the "banding" from time to time. The first time was when I put my Convict in the tank, and now he does it whenever the Con stares him down. I guess it's his way of saying "I see you too." But nothing ever comes of it.
If it's lasting consistantly for days, I'd become worried about stress. But, it very well may be harmless.

Georgia

How big of a tank are you running with? Right now I have a 55 gal with a couple of convicts in it and a guy from the LFS suggested I try Severums. Is this tank too small? Do you have problems with them? Right now my pair of convics are about 3 years old but they are pretty mellow compaired to what I have heard these fish can do. Any ways I am just looking for some info. Thanks

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I keep mine in a 75 gallon tank. I'm not sure a 55 gallon would be big enough for a permanent home, as Severums get almost 8". And, from what I've seen they grow pretty fast. Mine have gone from 2" to 4.5" in 3 months.
They are not very aggressive towards other fish. I have what looks to be a male and two females. The females fight with each other, and the male chases them sometimes. They get a little banged up, but no serious injuries. I'll have to watch them as the approach maturity.
I do have one convict in the tank. He was added after the severums and when he was very small. So far he doesn't cause any trouble. I was always warned not to get a pair though. They become very defensive when they spawn.

My pair of convicts have only spawned a couple of times since I moved them into the 55 from the 20. My pleco seems to take care of the problem with out any injury (aka population control). the other fish im my tank seem to be doing just fine with my convicts. You can see my tank list on my profile. Other than that thanks for the info...

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric