Rummy-Nose Cannibalism?

Question

I have seven rummys (used to be eight) in a 10gal. quarentine w/ a female betta.

Water quality is good: 6.6pH, Oppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, 20ppm nitrate, 79 degrees.

I awoke this morning and looked in on them all and one of the rummys was floating, both of it's eyes eaten clear through it's head, fins totally intact, nothing else chewed or nipped...
Now - is this the female betta's doing - 1. killing and eating the eyes - 2. or did she just kill it while the rummys ate the eyes - 3. or did the rummys kill it and she ate the eyes?

I watched their behaviors while they were together (she's in a breed and show internal hang on as of now) and the rummys seemed more intrigued by her than she by them. In other words there appeared to be no issue...

Maybe this particular rummy was on his way out anyhow (because it showed no sign of being aggressed), and its death led to the opprotunity for feeding.

Ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Answer 1

I wouldn't blame aggression by any of the fish personally. All of those are very peaceful fish that rarely attack or kill a tank mate. I would think the rummy nose died and the other fish ( as almost all fish will) started eating it. The lack or damage to the fish is a fairly strong indicator that he as not chased and bullied, much less killed by other fish.

MM

Answer 2

I agree completely with MM. Danios, tetras and other non-aggressive, non-territorial fish, don't attack and kill each other. The female betta would not either (even male bettas rarely get aggressive unless it's towards another betta or to something he THINKS is a betta..ie guppies). The fish died a nonspecific death and the other fish started to eat him. I had a danio stuck on my intake filter, deader than a doornail, with a completely round piece taken out of his side. Not torn...completely round! Only other thing in the tank at the time were other danios, a male betta and a petite baby bloodparrot who we all blamed for the death. However, it was no more than just a death....and just the other fish doing what fish do when one of their own dies......dining.