Loaches Online Forum

I notice today that the juveniles in the tank were picking on the adult females. The juveniles are less than an inch (half the size of the adult females in the tank). I observed them following the females and trying to bully them, 'topping' the adults. Two or so juveniles would corner a female and try to stick to her back. This is the first time I've seen this happened and am a little worried. Is it because I moved them into a new tank and they are figuring out their new territories?

Since you just moved them to a new tank, I would assume that they are still harrassing each other to work out their terrotories. It sounds very possible that you might not have enough pebbles and rocks and hiding places in the tank. Give your fish more places that they can escape to if they need some peace and quiet.

I am not a huge expert at fish husbandry, but it is also possible that the youngsters are practicing their moves on the fertile female.

Yes, in their old tank, this didn't happened until I moved them into the new tank. I did add more rocks and cover but maybe not enough. The juveniles will be going to a new owner in a few days so they won't be bothering the females anymore. Most of the time now, it's just fighting between the juveniles.