It finally happened!

[t1gerbee]

on a more analytical note.. and without personifying fish (come on people) there may be a few reasons for this...

three things spring to mind..

1) fish pick on weakened fish... I has a bunch on mountain minnows picking at a goldfish many years ago.. couldn't figure it out, but then the goldfish showed signs of illness, and the fish had been picking at his excess slime coat...

this would happen in the wild...

2) Lack of territories, you have very little rock in there currently, so none of the fish have defined territories... this was different when you had loads of rock in there... and there was never any aggression

3) Hunger.. without the live rock there is limited life in the tank, apart from waht you feed. I'm assuming you refuced feeding whilst in hypo, or at least whilst cycling.. but as the fish were stressed they had more things to worry than any of the above or hunger.. now they are relaxed and hungry...

maybe Elvis is an easy target...

I have to say Stars is by far the most timid of all my fish, and oddly stars and stripes are reknowned for it... stars will not rush for food but hang back whilst the other dive in.. i wory about him not eating and am working on getting him to hand feed so i can make sure he's getting enough food...

my banner fish will swim past and stars will shy away, even though stars is bigger...

Maybe see if you can work on the issues raised, one by one.. see if you get any results before rehoming everybody.

I don't see why they would 'suddenly' strat picking on him, i don't think fish have school yard fights like that...

[edmlfc1]

Offical Announcement:

It's offical, I just got off the phone with fishlady. We are making plans for her new tank. Once Chong comes out of Hypo and her tank is cycled, she's adopting him.

Fishlady, you will do a great job with him, and you will love him with all your heart. I know I picked a great Mommy. Remember if you have any questions I'm always just a phone call away.

[Dadof4]

I think Blenny is messing with them. He's back on the other side again. He talks to Elvis then he goes and tells Chong what Elvis said. He must be the messenger. He can't make up his mind what side of the fence he wants to be on.

Maybe he's the guy with the middle name "The" I was talking about......I agree with waiting to re-home them if that means anything. You only have a few weeks of hypo left, keep them separated and try again when they get back home.

[edmlfc1]

To be honest with you, I don't want to take the chance that Chong will start biting Elvis again. Gsp's are know for agression anyway. I knew this day might come. And like I stated before I'm comfortable with my decision and letting fishlady adopt Chong. I know it's a good move. If you really think about it my tank "really" is overstocked, even though it dosen't look like it. I had plans to seperate them in a year or two when Elvis and Chong grew larger. I also have plans to move Elvis into a larger tank later. Even with a 300 gallon, once Elvis is full grown my tank will still be overstocked. I'm totally ok with my decision. I know he's going to a good loving home, and I'm sure fishlady will let me visit if I get lonesome.

Come on guys! Stop trying to make me feel bad! He's not going to the lfs.

[Dadof4]

I see your point. I think Chong will be in a great place and fishlady will take topnotch care of him.

[Pufferpunk]

Ok, I've gotta say it...
I told ya they were mean! Sorry to see him go but you have made wise choice & a fantastic choosing of adoptive moms.

[edmlfc1]

Ok, I've gotta say it...
I told ya they were mean! Sorry to see him go but you have made wise choice & a fantastic choosing of adoptive moms.

I knew you were gonna say it. I think you like saying I told you so. I had to try it anyway. I'm stubborn. And "yes" fishlady will be a
fantastic mommy to Chong.

[pinkfloydpuffer]

I'm sorry you'll have to see him go...
I think the best thing I've ever seen was those pics of Chong sitting on Elvis's head! LOL!

[fishlady1958]

i promise to do the best i can do for Chong.....i went out and got everything going or in place to get his new home ready....my boyfriend even sprung for a beautiful new stand for the tank for him.. ....i have set up the acrylic holding tank for the saltwater mix.....that way Chongs SG will be consistent at all times....i have the wet/dry in place and even bought a brand new overflow box for it.....i have almost everything....i am going to have to fine another intake hose the one that was with the wet/dry is too small so that will be taken care of tomorrow after i pick up the LR and sand for the tank.....but i bought a very large bucket of salt today so i will not run shy when i need it.....i ordered a brand new light for the tank that will be here tuesday......so let's see....
tank....check
wet/dry....check
light on order ....check
salt....check
return pump brand new....check
new tube for the return....check
alien adjustables for the return....check
picking up live rock tomorrow...check
picking up sand tomorrow....check
meeting Chong.....and Elvis tomorrow....check...i'm sooooo excited about this part...... ......
And i would really like to thank you for the compliments on me taking Chong.....after following his days on here i feel as if we are already best buds......i will care and love him more than you realize....as i do all my precious life forms....
oh....i had a talk with RA and eenie, meenie, minee,moe and dragon....and i let them all know right now that chong will be just as important as each one of them are....and that no jelousy will be tolerated in this house.....they all agreed...and can't wait to welcome Chong into our fish family.....
and of course he will be free for visits when his true mommy needs to see him...and i will post pics of him so that she doesn't get the empty nest syndrome for him too......

[Dadof4]

i promise to do the best i can do for Chong.....i went out and got everything going or in place to get his new home ready....my boyfriend even sprung for a beautiful new stand for the tank for him..
tank....check
wet/dry....check
light on order ....check
salt....check
return pump brand new....check
new tube for the return....check
alien adjustables for the return....check
picking up live rock tomorrow...check
picking up sand tomorrow....check

Water?

meeting Chong.....and Elvis tomorrow....check...i'm sooooo excited about this part...... ......
And i would really like to thank you for the compliments on me taking Chong.....after following his days on here i feel as if we are already best buds......i will care and love him more than you realize....as i do all my precious life forms....
oh....i had a talk with RA and eenie, meenie, minee,moe and dragon....and i let them all know right now that chong will be just as important as each one of them are....and that no jelousy will be tolerated in this house.....they all agreed...and can't wait to welcome Chong into our fish family.....
and of course he will be free for visits when his true mommy needs to see him...and i will post pics of him so that she doesn't get the empty nest syndrome for him too......

Did you fill out all your adoption paperwork and get approval from the Texas Department of Social Fish Welfare and Development? Are all your background checks in order? If you need references I can be bought off to give good ones!

[fishlady1958]

i have already been checked out i say..... .....but don't go too far i might have to have a witness one day .......
water is in the SW holding tank....the SG is at 1.020 as i was instructed....so

water...check

[Dadof4]

I hate to see edmlfc1 lose Chong but he's going to a great home! Elvis and Chong are the prettiest pairing I've seen and I'm sad they have to be split (my sillier side kicks in when I feel that way). I won't run too far, I'm a cheap witness...now, an alibi, that'll cost ya'!

[fishlady1958]

i know....i hate to see them have to be parted myself....
and i tell you one thing...i was very honored that Lissa called me and asked me if i would like to be his adoptive mom....i think/feel very highly of her and her abilities of keeping her fishy kids....she's the most dedicated puffer mom i've ever seen and i truly admire her for that...so at first i was like....me... ...your picking me to take Chong???.... ....my first thought after the initial shock was....i'm not worthy am i?....i mean i really know how much she truly loves her babies....and i can tell you one thing....i am the honored one for being chosen....


okay.....then alibi.....that sounds good...i'll keep that in mind....check.....

[edmlfc1]

Did you fill out all your adoption paperwork and get approval from the Texas Department of Social Fish Welfare and Development? Are all your background checks in order? If you need references I can be bought off to give good ones!

Dang it! I knew I forgot something!

Don't trust him fishlady, he will turn on you. Then he will take Chong and skip the country never to be seen again.

[Dadof4]

Did you fill out all your adoption paperwork and get approval from the Texas Department of Social Fish Welfare and Development? Are all your background checks in order? If you need references I can be bought off to give good ones!

Dang it! I knew I forgot something!

Don't trust him fishlady, he will turn on you. Then he will take Chong and skip the country never to be seen again.

Curses! Foiled again!!!! I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for you meddling fish moms and your Stars and Stripes too!