Hi, have a tropical planted (obviously) tank - new to plants - 20 gal long. My question involves two fish who seem to have developed a feud. One of the antagonists is a rainbow shark (epalziorhynchos frenatum - I believe), male and a male Betta. The shark was in the tank first and I added the Betta (love their feisty little personality) - there are various tetras in there too. At first the Betta just hid and was shy and everyone left him alone. Then he decided it was ok to be a male and apparently his testosterone kicked in, because after a week or so, he decided to nip the shark. Of course this led to the shark whipping around and biting him back and chasing him around the tank. This has been going on for days now, and they both do it. The Betta will hide in the myrio and just hang there and the shark comes seeking, then the chase then the bites. Patience, I'm coming to the question.
Is the shark being a little b*st*rd and could he really hurt the Betta (or vice-versa?), or is this play behavior?? I've seen various fish play in my tank and chase each other and have mock battles (especially when I had rosy barbs - some grand mock battles took place!), and chase each other. But the Betta's beginning to look a trifle shopworn.
TIA
OSD
Is the shark being a little b*st*rd and could he really hurt the Betta (or vice-versa?), or is this play behavior?? I've seen various fish play in my tank and chase each other and have mock battles (especially when I had rosy barbs - some grand mock battles took place!), and chase each other. But the Betta's beginning to look a trifle shopworn.
TIA
OSD