I've had my 55 gallon tank since early December. The cichlids I have in the tank are very skittish and hide any time you walk by. I originally attributed this to stress from their new environment but after six months, I would think they would be fine by now.
I think what is happening is my Brichardis are bullying the rest of the fish. They have not tried to breed as yet, but they have definitely paired off and keep all the other fish (except the synodontis catfish and plecos) confined to 1/3 of the total tank. They hang out just to the left of the middle of the tank and chase any fish that dares try to pass them by.
I have rearranged the tank three times, and have provided additional hiding spots for them all to try to make them feel more secure, to no avail. The Brichardis have not budged from their initial staked out territory (even though I have moved their hiding spots to other areas of the tank) and will not allow the other fish to swim around.
My husband and I are a little attached to the Brichardis (the whole 55 gallon tank was set up because they were too aggressive for our 29), but we certainly thought other cichlids would stand up to them. Even the male pseudotropheus polit hides from them and he was the fish I thought would become most aggressive. We either need to find a new home for the Brichardis or move them to their own tank. The problem is we don't want ANOTHER tank. I spend about 3 hours a week on tank maintenance as it is.
What I'm considering--find a new home for my platies (I'm not that attached to them) and move the Brichardis into my 12 gallon Eclipse. Its only 4" narrower than a 20 gallon tank and they don't really swim side to side all that much now (unless they're chasing another cichlid!).
Do you guys think the 12 gallon is big enough for a pair of Brichardis? Aside from possibly a small pleco (either my pitbull, or if he's too small to defend himself a frog-mouth), they would be the only fish in the tank.
Thoughts from those who have kept Brichardis would be most appreciated!
I think what is happening is my Brichardis are bullying the rest of the fish. They have not tried to breed as yet, but they have definitely paired off and keep all the other fish (except the synodontis catfish and plecos) confined to 1/3 of the total tank. They hang out just to the left of the middle of the tank and chase any fish that dares try to pass them by.
I have rearranged the tank three times, and have provided additional hiding spots for them all to try to make them feel more secure, to no avail. The Brichardis have not budged from their initial staked out territory (even though I have moved their hiding spots to other areas of the tank) and will not allow the other fish to swim around.
My husband and I are a little attached to the Brichardis (the whole 55 gallon tank was set up because they were too aggressive for our 29), but we certainly thought other cichlids would stand up to them. Even the male pseudotropheus polit hides from them and he was the fish I thought would become most aggressive. We either need to find a new home for the Brichardis or move them to their own tank. The problem is we don't want ANOTHER tank. I spend about 3 hours a week on tank maintenance as it is.
What I'm considering--find a new home for my platies (I'm not that attached to them) and move the Brichardis into my 12 gallon Eclipse. Its only 4" narrower than a 20 gallon tank and they don't really swim side to side all that much now (unless they're chasing another cichlid!).
Do you guys think the 12 gallon is big enough for a pair of Brichardis? Aside from possibly a small pleco (either my pitbull, or if he's too small to defend himself a frog-mouth), they would be the only fish in the tank.
Thoughts from those who have kept Brichardis would be most appreciated!
