Something wrong with my cichlid?

[Convict2161]

He's been staying under my penguin 350 for about an hour now. Today is a skip day for feeding as I feed them every other day. He's not new to the tank so I dunno.



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He's like attacking the filter. He waits an then rushes it turns sideways then backs up. Waits a little while then rushes it again. Kinda looks like he's playing.


EDIT:

Now he just darted across the tank and back to under the filter.

 

[Lady_Alia]

Mine tend to do that when they're getting picked on or sometimes a holding female will stow away under there.

 

[garfy]

It does sound like bullying behaviour to me.
Looks like an OB no?
Usually bullying goes one of two ways.
The fish either learn to live with each other or a fish dies.Its sad but it does happen.

 

[Convict2161]

It does sound like bullying behaviour to me.
Looks like an OB no?
Usually bullying goes one of two ways.
The fish either learn to live with each other or a fish dies.Its sad but it does happen.

I already had one death

I guess that's the way it goes though. The "picking pole"

 

[joejeff]

Ya seems like every third African I add dies...

 

[Convict2161]

Ya seems like every third African I add dies...

Well I'm not gonna add anymore. Gonna sit back and see what happens with the pecking order already going on.

 

[joejeff]

I think I am stocked too. But have been keeping Africans for a couple yrs and that is just how it seems to go for.me.

 

[Convict2161]

I think I am stocked too. But have been keeping Africans for a couple yrs and that is just how it seems to go for.me.

Is it true with Africans it's better to
I don't wanna say over stocked but have your tank say well stocked to help with aggression or is that a myth? I have about 25 in my 75 gallon.

 

[joejeff]

Wow ok I.am not near as stocked... But ya I have heard if u have hiding places and filtration more is.better bc the bullying gets speed out... I def noticed difference between when I had a few

 

[Convict2161]

Wow ok I.am not near as stocked... But ya I have heard if u have hiding places and filtration more is.better bc the bullying gets speed out... I def noticed difference between when I had a few

Well I should have enough hiding places and running 2 filters. 1 penguin 350 and 1 AC 110. 2 Rena 300 pumps with air stones.

 

[Lady_Alia]

Wow ok I.am not near as stocked... But ya I have heard if u have hiding places and filtration more is.better bc the bullying gets speed out... I def noticed difference between when I had a few

So you've actually noticed a difference? I've got 14 in a 55 and a friend of mine had 50+ in her 55 and it seems like she's got less issues than I do. I've thought about throwing more in there and seeing what happens.

 

[Convict2161]

So you've actually noticed a difference? I've got 14 in a 55 and a friend of mine had 50+ in her 55 and it seems like she's got less issues than I do. I've thought about throwing more in there and seeing what happens.

I know your not quoting me but I've heard that and from people I've talked to it helps. I'm thinking of adding a few more if I lose another one. I think it will cut down on the aggression. From what I've heard I'd there's a lot of them and a lot of places to hide and claim it will reduce the risk of them singling out one to pick on. I mean it does happen but most I've talked to said I could put more in my 75g.

 

[Lady_Alia]

I know your not quoting me but I've heard that and from people I've talked to it helps. I'm thinking of adding a few more if I lose another one. I think it will cut down on the aggression. From what I've heard I'd there's a lot of them and a lot of places to hide and claim it will reduce the risk of them singling out one to pick on. I mean it does happen but most I've talked to said I could put more in my 75g.

I've heard it as well, and the logic of it makes sense. However I think there's a fine line there. That line being 'stocked enough that there's nothing to fight over so why fight' and 'there's sooo many fish that they are in a state of constant aggravation so fights break out.' know what I mean? I worry about the mental state of my fish lol imma dork!

 

[Convict2161]

I've heard it as well, and the logic of it makes sense. However I think there's a fine line there. That line being 'stocked enough that there's nothing to fight over so why fight' and 'there's sooo many fish that they are in a state of constant aggravation so fights break out.' know what I mean? I worry about the mental state of my fish lol imma dork!

No your not!

It makes perfect sense IMO, there's a fine line. I guess it's more or so see how it goes. If you feel like you need to add more then do it. If it doesn't work or makes the situation worse take them out and re home. If I lose another one I may add a few more and see. I think the others were right about my fish passing. He was the runt of the tank. Got picked on, probably weren't letting eat and stressed him out. Now I have another one that's kinda hanging out by the filter staying away. Maybe by adding a few more it will distract them. I certainly have enough hiding places! At night I can't find 1!! All I see is my catfish.

 

[Lady_Alia]

I know what you mean. Sometimes when someone approaches my tank they all scatter and you'd swear there wasn't a single fish in there! It's amazing how 5" yellow, blues, and orange fish can just vanish! lol

 

[Convict2161]

I know what you mean. Sometimes when someone approaches my tank they all scatter and you'd swear there wasn't a single fish in there! It's amazing how 5" yellow, blues, and orange fish can just vanish! lol

Hahaha!! It is right?! Sometimes my friends are like where's your fish?! LoL. I'm like watch. I open the hood and BAM!! They all come to the top jumping over each other to eat!! Haha not ONE pellet hits the ground. They even eat the food for the catfish!! I have those pellets that sink for bottom dwellers.

 

[Malawi Freak]

I've got around 60 in my 125.

 

[Convict2161]

I've got around 60 in my 125.

How many is a nice number for a 75 gallon? I have about 25-26. I'm hearing I can add more. Plus I'm running 2 filters. And do regular WC and test everyday (OCD) I have it bad. I also feel they have a lot of hiding places. Pics are in my profile.

I'd really like to add more. Oh an I have 2 catfish. 1 upside down and 1 cuckoo.

 

[Jmedic25]

How many is a nice number for a 75 gallon? I have about 25-26. I'm hearing I can add more. Plus I'm running 2 filters. And do regular WC and test everyday (OCD) I have it bad. I also feel they have a lot of hiding places. Pics are in my profile.

I'd really like to add more. Oh an I have 2 catfish. 1 upside down and 1 cuckoo.

It depends on bioload not number of fish. You also need to stock for the long haul so imagine them fully grown. I wouldnt worry too much, if your water is good then any day now you will have fry. I have 13 lab fry and shes holding again. Just be patient...but I would think around 30 full sized is the max a 75 should hold with that filtration. You have to think 30 full sized fish putting off ammonia. Now you have to have enuf good bacteria to convert all that ammo into nitrate. Thats harder to do with HOB filters. If you want to overstock you should look into a fluval or a sump in addition to your current filtration. There are some really cheap and cool DIY sump filters on youtube. My water turns 12 times an hour..At max stock I want about 30 full grown fish 10 dems 10 labs 5 zebras,pleco is my rough stocking list. Also water changes are good but a large colony of BB can never be substituted with PWC's. In an overstocked tank thats under filtrated you will see ammonia spikes that a 90% wc wont fix. BB is the key, so filter media is the key to BB

 

[Convict2161]

Ok thanks, so maybe a fluval canister and then I can add 5 more Africans. Keep the HOB's as well?