Aggressive Venustus

[stonefly]

So i have a very aggressive (male i think) venustus. He chases everyone around all the time. I have a 56 gallon column tank that has 12 -14 African hap cichlids right now. He is the biggest fish in the tank, getting another tank is out of the question right now so i can't quarantine him. Is there anything i can do to ease some of its aggression? Will adding more fish help? I am open to any suggestions accept for buying another tank at the moment. (Wife says no more tanks)
Thanks in advance for any help!

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[Brandon D.]

Scenery change may help or some ppl put bullying fish in a bucket for a few hours then reintroduce them

 

[stonefly]

I change the rocks around every other wc, done weekly. I also have tried the bucket trick, maybe i will try out again...

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[jwh0818]

Rehome him.

 

[stonefly]

Rehome him.

You don't think it will get better? He had the potential to be a very good looking fish, was hoping not to have to do that. But i will of that's my only option.

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[jwh0818]

If you have tried those I dont see why rehoming him wouldnt work. Then you have free space for a new fish. Yes they are very beautiful but we gotta do what we gotta do ya know!

 

[stonefly]

If you have tried those I dont see why rehoming him wouldnt work. Then you have free space for a new fish. Yes they are very beautiful but we gotta do what we gotta do ya know!

So i guess i will try and find some one that wants him.... probably be better for the other guys in my aquarium.

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[jwh0818]

Wait, try this first. Stop rearranging things and let them set the dominance. Give him a good month. If he is just non stop for that whole month I think its safe to rehome him

 

[pdaddy2]

Venustus get 8-10". And will eventually require a 75 gallon +. They also prefer a 36"-48" swimming length. Awesome fish, looking to get some when I get a larger tank. But if that's not in the cards, I would rehome while you can.

 

[Kathrine]

How can you tell male and female? PM me with answer

 

[pdaddy2]

The males will eventually get blue on their heads, or turn all blue, females will stay the same as when both male and female are juvenile

 

[Kathrine]

Oh. Ok. I have 1. Interested in seeing what it is. Then getting a mate. And so far I have 4 Juvenile livingstoni.

 

[Kathrine]

And is a 76 gallon big enough?

 

[pdaddy2]

Venustus and livingstoni are different breeds. And with that quantity, long term, I say the 76 will eventually be to small

 

[Kathrine]

Yeah. I know they are different but to a newbie they looked the same till I started really looking into them and noticed the markings were different on one.