Rusty vs Polystigma (pics)

Things usually get pretty interesting for a while during refilling and after water changes. The quality isn't the greatest, but these are some screenshots from a video I took of some of the action. The rusty's face is almost entirely in the polystigma's mouth (it's a big mouth), but he doesn't back down.

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thats one tough little bugger.

How many times does he need his head swallowed, before he gets the picture?

Haha. He also goes head to head with the D. comp. who is bigger and has a bigger mouth. I'm afraid he's going to get himself killed.

I really do need to get a bigger tank.

I'd like to see the video

I tried to upload the video the other day, but it failed. It's not a very good vid, but I'll try it again later.

This is an interesting series of photos. Makes me think of a chiguagua taking on a mastif or similar large dog...when defending their teritory, there is no fear, just the instinct to protect and drive the assailant away!



Thanks for putting these up, Betty.

Great pictures!

lol. my 2" rusty male used to try to battle my 6" burundi frontosa on a regular basis before i set up a tank just for fronts. they're spunky little guys when they want to spawn.

Okay, it worked this time. Those shots were taken from the first 20 seconds of the video -- it happens really quickly!
(You might want to turn down your volume. I always do my water changes with music on. )

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cool, thank you.

I'm definitely a little worried for the long term safety of this guy.Even though in the video he clearly won that battle.
To me it would seem he has a desire to become fish food.

I have to say though,The Rusty is overall more aggressive than the So called experts exclaim.

I think your video demonstrates to some degree this fact.

I always think it's interesting how they show bars when defending territory,but get a more rich purple when showing to females.

By far my favorite Malawi.

Yes, that rusty has always been one of the two most aggressive fish in the tank with the other one being a female yellow lab, but the polystigma and compressiceps were becoming less tolerant and really starting to become aggressive as well.

I rehomed them a few weeks ago to someone on the forum who has a bigger tank and was nice enough to take them in.

By the way they are both doing good, the poly fit in well , the comp, however wants to spawn with my male venestus (weird) and is abusive to everyone else, so he lives alone right now.

Great video! The big guy looks pissed, the Rusty looks to say back off and get out of my face. The Acei is saying don't worry, I gottcho back

The acei are the smartest, I think, and stay out of the fray as much as possible.

Aaron, good to hear they are doing okay. I wish the comp could get over his harassing behavior!!

He used to do that with a small male red empress hybrid. The little male used to go through the motions and didn't try to fight or run away so he stayed safe.
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