Cichlid Wars - Aquarium Advice

The HTR · 06-24-2008, 10:57 AM

So, I introduced a Jewel Cichlid into the 20g aquarium with my yellow African Cichlid on Saturday. Since then, the Jewel can't find a safe location in the aquarium and has no choice but to swim at the top of the tank or risk being chased and nipped at. I have a cave, a bridge, and a plant as hiding spots and the yellow guy has consolidated them all as his territory.

Last night, the Jewel cichlid grew a backbone and actually squared up with the yellow african cichlid and they fought it out, nipping, turning, dodging...it was like a street fight. It happened about twice. No injuries yet, which surprised the heck out of me.

My question is...Are they going to to continue to have this strained relationship until one gives in or will they eventually grow to respect one another and live quasi-peacefully?

rich311k · 06-24-2008, 12:19 PM

They will probably keep beating one another until one dies, from fungus or infection from wounds caused by the fighting.

JustOneMore20 · 06-24-2008, 09:24 PM

I agree. That tanks a tad small for either fish unless you keep them alone.

Stephen · 06-25-2008, 10:25 AM

What they said. That's not going to stop until one of them dies off.

The HTR · 06-25-2008, 10:34 AM

It seems today that the Jewel cichlid has managed to establish some territory behind a fake plant since it started fighting back. The yellow guy won't even go back there now, but he'll threaten to then back off. It seems since last night that they are now really only fighting when food makes them have to leave their self imposed boundaries or one strays too far. I'd guess this is a good sign as long as the boundaries remain.

It started as a constant chase but has now calmed down.

cogburn · 06-25-2008, 10:39 AM

try rearranging all your decorations... it forces them to establish new territories

The HTR · 06-25-2008, 10:42 AM

I did that for the first two days but the yellow guy would still chase the purple guy...i even went as far as to try to net the yellow guy and remove him from the tank for a while but i couldnt catch him.

But things have calmed down in the last 24 hours so we shall see what happens.

cogburn · 06-25-2008, 10:44 AM

hopefully it all works out... keep a close eye on the fish... if they have any sores or anything from the fighthing you might wanna dose some meds so they dont get sick and die on ya... also you may want to think about getting a bigger tank if you have the means... that is very small for those 2 fish as stated above...

kribbman · 07-21-2008, 03:20 PM

Your headed towards disaster here, take one of them back or risk its death.
Ive seen the same thing in my tank a few times with the same result.
Its a shame that such beutifull fish wont get along.

goldmanjace · 10-06-2008, 04:03 AM

one solution is to overpopulate and get a really good filtration system then it will work out

06-24-2008, 10:57 AM	#1
The HTR Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 24	Cichlid Wars So, I introduced a Jewel Cichlid into the 20g aquarium with my yellow African Cichlid on Saturday. Since then, the Jewel can't find a safe location in the aquarium and has no choice but to swim at the top of the tank or risk being chased and nipped at. I have a cave, a bridge, and a plant as hiding spots and the yellow guy has consolidated them all as his territory. Last night, the Jewel cichlid grew a backbone and actually squared up with the yellow african cichlid and they fought it out, nipping, turning, dodging...it was like a street fight. It happened about twice. No injuries yet, which surprised the heck out of me. My question is...Are they going to to continue to have this strained relationship until one gives in or will they eventually grow to respect one another and live quasi-peacefully?

06-24-2008, 09:24 PM	#3
JustOneMore20 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,117 Images: 8	I agree. That tanks a tad small for either fish unless you keep them alone. __________________ ~Kristin~ 5 planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g My links to pics: My 40g breeder log, My tanks blog

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06-24-2008, 12:19 PM	#2
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	They will probably keep beating one another until one dies, from fungus or infection from wounds caused by the fighting.

06-25-2008, 10:25 AM	#4
Stephen Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 141	What they said. That's not going to stop until one of them dies off.

06-25-2008, 10:34 AM	#5
The HTR Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 24	It seems today that the Jewel cichlid has managed to establish some territory behind a fake plant since it started fighting back. The yellow guy won't even go back there now, but he'll threaten to then back off. It seems since last night that they are now really only fighting when food makes them have to leave their self imposed boundaries or one strays too far. I'd guess this is a good sign as long as the boundaries remain. It started as a constant chase but has now calmed down.

06-25-2008, 10:39 AM	#6
cogburn Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: bangor, pa Posts: 302	try rearranging all your decorations... it forces them to establish new territories

06-25-2008, 10:42 AM	#7
The HTR Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 24	I did that for the first two days but the yellow guy would still chase the purple guy...i even went as far as to try to net the yellow guy and remove him from the tank for a while but i couldnt catch him. But things have calmed down in the last 24 hours so we shall see what happens.

06-25-2008, 10:44 AM	#8
cogburn Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: bangor, pa Posts: 302	hopefully it all works out... keep a close eye on the fish... if they have any sores or anything from the fighthing you might wanna dose some meds so they dont get sick and die on ya... also you may want to think about getting a bigger tank if you have the means... that is very small for those 2 fish as stated above...

07-21-2008, 03:20 PM	#9
kribbman Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 116	Your headed towards disaster here, take one of them back or risk its death. Ive seen the same thing in my tank a few times with the same result. Its a shame that such beutifull fish wont get along.

10-06-2008, 04:03 AM	#10
goldmanjace Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9	one solution is to overpopulate and get a really good filtration system then it will work out