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	Dither Fish Question
PondCometer Fingerling Posts: 31 Kudos: 22 Votes: 5 Registered: 25-Nov-2004	Okay so I understand the whole idea of dither fish, to make the "center piece" fish feel "safe" are the dither fish removed after say 1 or 2 months of the "center piece" fish becoming more active? Or will the "center piece" fish go back to hiding after the dither fish are removed? Thanks
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:58
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004	Dither fish, I believe, are for keeping aggressive fish at bay, dividing uneeded aggression across the board, etc.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:58
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	I don't think that dither fish should be removed. The "centerpiece" fish might still feel safe without them, but not as safe as it felt with the dithers there. My belief is that when you stock a fish tank, it is for life. And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:58
Theresa_M Moderator Queen of Zoom Posts: 3649 Kudos: 4280 Votes: 790 Registered: 04-Jan-2004	No, I don't believe they should be removed. Looking at it another way, if the dither fish are schoolers, being with a centerpiece fish often brings out their schooling behavior (hope that made sense ) ~~~~~~~~~~~~ There is water at the bottom of the ocean
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:58
Janna Mega Fish Posts: 1386 Registered: 24-Aug-2003	Cup, you're confusing dither fish with target fish. Target fish are used as you described. Dither fish are seen by the other fish in the tank out in the open, which causes the other fish to know that it is safe to be out. They shade the glow of it with their mossy-misty costumes, They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver, So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:58
PondCometer Fingerling Posts: 31 Kudos: 22 Votes: 5 Registered: 25-Nov-2004	Okay thanks guys..any ideas as to best dither fish for my small firemouth?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:58
songbird1963 Enthusiast Posts: 238 Votes: 0 Registered: 09-Apr-2004	I have giant danios in with an electric yellow, firemouth, and an malawi eyebiter...no one messes with the danios. In fact they are cheap and quiet attractive if your gravel is light colored. Constant movement.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:58
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004	Ah, I see. In any case, I don't think dither fish should make much of a difference once the fis in question is feeding out of your hand, swimming around the tank, etc.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:58
gantnege Fingerling Posts: 19 Kudos: 11 Votes: 0 Registered: 25-Nov-2003	As far as dither fish for firemouths: There's a thread with this subject in the "American Cichlids" forum. What I use is Buenos Aires Tetras. Swordtails are popular, too.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:58


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