P. Electra burrowing in sand!?

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bmarine

Aquarium Advice FINatic
Joined
May 5, 2013
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993
Location
Michigan
I introduced a placidochromis electra into my 125 today. He's the biggest fish in the tank, but being chased around a lot, especially by my phenochilus. While being chased,he suddenly swam down and sideways and was hid or burrowed in the sand. He completely disappeared! Is this normal? Should i be worried about it?
 
I haven't seen it personally, Electra aren't know to be diggers. It's a sounds like a defensive tactic. Placidochromis all look very similar at smaller sizes and they are fairly aggressive with each other. It's typically not recommend to mix them.

I know my Phenos when I had them were fairly mild mannered then all of a sudden one would snap and go on a rampage.
 
Thanks Mog. Yeah I've only found one piece of literature online about it too, so its definitely not common. Right now I have him in a net, could I let him go and just let it play out? Could being the sand be unhealthy or anything?
 
I don't think being in the sand will hurt it any. I would let it out of the net and move around any rocks or decor. It's likely just a "turf war" since the fish was added to an established system.
 
After burrowing once more in the sand for a bit, the electra finally came out and established dominance. He's doin well and is actually a beautiful fish!
 
Awesome! How about pics of the Electra and pheno? Almost got one but decided not to mix w mbuna
 
Unfortunately, the electra really took over the tank and beat up the pheno today pretty badly. :/ poor guy is recovering in a quarantine. And i'll post one in my 125 gallon tank album because i ran out of space to post on here.
 
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