Nothobranchius rachovii Beira Agression

[kenkht]

I am new here and new to Killies.

I recently acquired 2 pairs of Nothobranchius rachovii Beira and they are now in a tank of their own + 1 Otto. I noticed initially that one of the Rachovii (female) attack the Otto. I wonder if they are aggressive toward other species. I was thinking of adding maybe some Badis or guppies. But are they aggressive? Are they good in a Community tank?

Thanks.

[chicknb]

Hi Ken, I can not talk about nothos but my experience with Fundulopanchax sjoestedti and ottos is not a great one. I had several sjoestedti in my 20 gal planted tank and introduced 3 ottos (small ones). One day I noticed that one of my males sjoestedti was swimming funny and saw that he had the otto in his mouth. He couldn't swallow the entire otto so it got stucked and they both died. I tried to separate them with no success and even I cut the otto (once he was dead) to see if I could release him but still no luck (the otto had small scales that prevent that). Now, I have the other 2 ottos that are used to the killis and they don't mess with them, they avoid them. Apparently they are living their own life and no one seems to care about the other. I have a couple of pictures although they are not very clear.

REgards,

Tony





Once I cut the otto:

[kenkht]

Sorry about the otto!

Ouch.. That is some picture!
My Otto is way too big for my rachovii...I hope....

[erikthur]

Dinner is ready...
What I tried to feed my big sjoestedti male:
A small Notho female - tried seriously to mate with her. I rescued her within 2 hours or else she would be dead anyhow but not within the food chain.
A Platy female - still alive after 3 weeks vacation without any feeding at all.
Sex makes a difference.
The Ottos did not look female enough

[timebomb]

I've kept the Notho rachovii's with Otos in the same tank many times but I've never seen them eating the fish. The rachovii's, as far as I know, are relatively timid fish. When they show aggression, it's only to their own kind. In a community tank, they are the ones often bullied.

By the way, Otos are spelled with a single t.

Loh K L