Buddys for life

[twotone12valve]

A friendly pair, I've had these two little guys for around 5+ years. They have seen my tanks at there worst from neglect to the best filtration I could give, all water conditions that could be given. They have been keep with everything from needle nose gar and huge black ghost knives, bichar, craw fish, neons, tin foil barbs, everything you can think of. At one point I had schools of each type. But they are the soul survivors and have become inseparable, they are funny to watch now. You would think they are a breeding pair if you watched them together.

[twotone12valve]

Does anyone know if this is typical behavior for fish? Or just simply the fact that they have been through think and thin together.

[C. Andrew Nelson]

I would guess it is because they have been through so much together. They have known each other almost all their lives. I think it's pretty darned cool.

[ScottFish]

I once knew a guy who hung around me all the time; I couldn't shake 'em. Is it like that?

Thanks for the story!

[C. Andrew Nelson]

Yeah, sounds like high school all over again.

[twotone12valve]

^^^^ right? I just thought it was a cool story.

Has anyone else had wired "schools" or tank mates that should have never worked together but for some reason just did?

[Hipkangaroo]

Yep... definitely. Pleco, Swordtail, Redtail Black Shark, Betta, 2 Pictus Cats, Stick Catfish, and they lived happily for about 6 years. Pleco lived about 9yrs, swordtail 5, redtail 6, betta 3-4, pictus cats 6, and the stick catfish 4. And this was a 20g. Its remarkable they got along so well, and thrived. As much as I cringe at these kind of arrangements now, I love the true "community" feel that these tanks have. Really does throw in a new perceptive to the whole concept of "compatibility". Fish are living animals built to survive, and they often shock me in how they not only accomplish that, but thrive. Honestly, look at the petstores...

[C. Andrew Nelson]

^^^^ right? I just thought it was a cool story.

Has anyone else had wired "schools" or tank mates that should have never worked together but for some reason just did?

It is a very cool story! I'm trying to think back to any of my fish ever did something like this. I think I recall having a Silver Tip Tetra once that was the last survivor of a small school. When the others died it joined up with some other schooling fish I bought. I can't remember what type of fish it began schooling with. Probably Harlequin Rasboras or Neon Tetras. Back when I was a kid I always had a school of one or the other of those. Whichever it was the Silver Tip joined up with them. Your story is a whole lot more interesting. I would love to see video of your two fish as they pal around together.

[twotone12valve]

I have been trying to get a video to up load for months, but my only means of internet have been phone for the past few months and every time I try the video fails. I just always amazes me what can happen in an aquarium, its an adapt or die kind of thing I guess. I have had many very strange mixes in my tank I think I have gotten lucky.

[Crazygar]

Yeah, fish tend to "become friends" with another one and they become inseparable. Thanks for the story, it's wonderful actually to see this.

Gary

[Hipkangaroo]

It reminds me of my percula clown and yellowtail blue damsel in my saltwater tank. Long story short, female ditched its mate to be friends with the damsel, male gets beat up and has to get returned to the store. But it's fascinating how fish bond with each other. As Crazygar said, great story, and also excellent picture!

[twotone12valve]

Wow, that's crazy! She ditched her man. Hmm even fish will bail out for something with a little more color. Haha that's cool I never would have guessed they'd do something like that.

[Crazygar]

They have personalities and feelings as well, they are animals.

Gary

[angelbaby]

I had an angelfish and a common pleco that were like this, but the anelfish died shortly after being moved into a bigger tank and the pleco died a couple months later

[lou zello]

loved all the stories but don't have any like that. but i guess when you stock a tank like i do EVERYONE has to be buddies!!!!!!