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I have a 48 gal community tank. There are now only 3 swordtails(1 male 2 female)1 male betta,2 platties(1 male 1 female)2 guppies(1 male 1 female), 3 mollies(1 male, 1 female, and 1 juvanile male), 4 head and tail light tetras, and 2 small bottom feeders(like a small catfish type, they only get about 2" long)this is a total of 17 fish. I don't like only having one male to one female. I thought that it would be better to have 2 females to one male, but every time I get new fish to add they end up dead. Everytime! The longest they have lasted is about 3-4 days. And yes most of the time they do look like someone beat them up. But every now and then they just end up dead. I had 4 tiger barbs in there and I thought they were the killers, so I got rid of them and it is still going on. The worst of it is I can't seem to tell if it's the new arrivals that are being knocked off, or if the new ones are staying alive and the older ones dying. I have watched then and don't see much chasing around, I would like to know who might be the killer so I can get rid of it and have a happy home in my community tank not a "midnight on elmstreet" situation. Any ideas would be great. MY LPS said that all of the fish should get along.Right

Last edited by rena_waits at 24-Feb-2005 10:14

from your inhabitants... I would have to say the 1 male betta]:|

It does not really go well with fish, with long flowing tails like guppies and so on.

I would take that fish out:88)

Last edited by fallenlordz at 24-Feb-2005 16:20

Ok, it's another midnight killing!! This time it was my male swordtail. He is the 6th male swordtail that I have gone through in a month and 1/2. But whatever is doing it leaves the female swordtails alone, but killed my female platty.Do you really think that it is the Betta? I mean if it's a "attack the longer finned fish" you think I wouldn't end up with dead plattys, and my swordtail, would I? I will get him out this weekend, I need to buy a small tank for him first. But what do I do if he is not the murderer? I have lost over $80 in fish replacements in about 2 months. This is getting expencive. HELP.

I agree with Fallen, those fish may go together but bettas might like to nip on longer fins(well i think). I had a chinese aglea eater kill a betta so i am not sure. Are you sure it is a fish that is killing it? It could be like too much ammonia, nitrites, etc. If you can't figure it out you way want to give it a water change.

It really could easily be water quality, and then the fish chew on them once they're dead, making it look like a killing.

Another idea is the betta, again. Mine have always been peaceful, but you really don't know. They have very individual personalities, and somewill kill everything.

I'm pretty sure, though, if the fish were killing each other, you'd see them fighting with each other when you watched the tank.

If they're mysteriously turning up dead, test your water or look for signs of illness.