I posted a while back about some bullying in my tank with the four discus I have. It settled for a while and things seemed ok. Now it has started but is worse then before with two fish now being the offenders.
Two fish that don't pick on each other now bully the other two. One of the bullied hides near the pump intake so they cannot get him and the other (bigger then the two bullies) hides out around the plants.
Without prempting responses but I have the feeling the two bullies maybe pairing off but I cannot tell as they are not breeding etc.
I have thought of selling the two (bullied fish) discus as my tank is 132lrts anyway and thought four (now I am better educated) maybe too small in the long run.
BUT and there is always a but, my wife has become attached to the two bullied fish (as she would for the underdogs.....lol) and does not want to sell them. I have tried rearranging the tank etc but it has not solved the problem. I do have plants for them to hide it but the other two seek them out and when feeding happens they tend to get the lions share of the food also.
I even thought of selling the two bullies (which would satisfy my wife) but I am trying to explain the two that appear to be matching up may breed eventually and as they get along there is less stress which will help them survive longer. I also pointed out the two getting bullied may even get sick from bullying. I am afraid that sought of logic does not seem to play a part in this situation......
Any suggestions, other then selling the bullied fish?