Is this normal behavoir ?

My Redbellie piranha's are still jung and they used to bite each other frequently. Just the other day they did it again but they have been peacefull for months. One has lost a piece of it's back(looks ugly) .

Is this normal i.m sure he will heal but i don't like them doing this again.

Please help, Stefan for Amsterdam Holland.

 

I don't know if it's normal but I'd take the hurt one out and put it in a hospital tank. The others might pick on him more.

 

behavior

I do not personally have pirranah, but do have Oscars. If I do not keep them fed they will eat any other fish in the tank. Have you tried feeding them a little more?

Definately seperate the injured fish or he won't last long!! Melafix is great to help speed the healing process!! It should only take 3 to 5 days!

Good luck!

 

But i don't want to seperate him. They have been together sinds they were very jung. Taking one fish out would only mess things up. He is doing fine but just has a piece of his back nipped out.

 

under control

I agree, if he isn't too bad leave him. It is stressful to move a fish, just have to weigh your pro's and cons! Good luck!

 

Dont worry about that. Many of my friends have piranhas, and all of them used to fight. It is most likely them just claiming their territory. As long as they do not fight anymore it should be fine. The fin will grow back, you just need to wait.

 

It is normal. What size tank are you housing them in? It might be too small and they are starting to get aggressive over territory. Generally you want to keep about 3 red bellies in a 75 gallon (adults). If they are younger you can get away with smaller but if they outgrow the tank they are in, you will start to see a lot more aggression. Piranhas also heal very easily. They are a very hardy fish.

 

The one who has been bitten is recoverd completely. He is though the weakkest and smalest but looks to be doing alright. I had 6 redbellies but one was blind on one eye. So when they were about 2,5-3 inches they got rid of him leaving just a tail and his jaws. I'm housing them in al 375 liter 1.50-50-50 centimeters. I don't know how much gallons that is. I have in there 5 redbellies and one big Pleco. The piranha's are about 12 cm now i think thats about 4 inches. They are fast growers that's for sure.

 

Piranha by nature will kill off the weak and/or injured. In the future if one is weakened, it's best to put it in a hospital tank until it recovers just to be safe. Your tank is about 100 US gallons, perfect for 5 piranha for now. After a long while, once they are closer to full grown you may run into some problems with room and agression.

Hope this helps!