I wanted to follow everyones advice on stocking all of my cichlids at the same time but that was not possible because the LFS sold out. So yesterday they got some more in and I went and purchased one. It was an electric yellow just like the one I already have in my tank. I thought they would make a great pair. After i got the new fish acclamated to the temp and ph I released him into the tank. WAR.... the other electric yellow who has been in the tank for about a week freaked out. He started chasing the new one around the tank and has been acting like he wants to kill him. The new fish likes to just lurk around the top corner now, but the older fish still terrorizes him. His tail is nicked up aswell as his anal fin, and on his side back by his tail he has a raw spot with missing scales. I am scared that the older electric yellow is going to kill him. There are plenty of hiding places and caves in the tank, so I really don't know what else I can do. Please give me some advice, as I'm sure that this has happened to other people. I am hoping that the older electric yellow will eventually accept the new fish, but I'm not sure this is going to happen. Please help me.
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- Thread starter graysilm
- Start date
Take the fish back. I betThe tank is to small for two yellow labs if you leave both fish in there you'll end up with one fish anyway
graysilm said:
it does.
it wont.
take the fish back if you can. mbuna are relentless. yellow labs are on the less aggressive side, but thats not saying much.
the store may give you store credit... or partial credit, since the fish is injured. get some food or something.
just my 2 cents... from keeping malawis for several years.
actually, if there is enough cover, it may pull through in a 55, but i wouldn't count on it.
edit: rearange the tank if possible... and your best bet is to add several at once to an established tank. less chance one will absorb the full brunt of aggression.
edit: rearange the tank if possible... and your best bet is to add several at once to an established tank. less chance one will absorb the full brunt of aggression.
A buddy of mine had two labs in a 55 lot's of rock work both fish was added at the same time. Then 5 months later only one fish was left.
:laugh: Thier african cichlids :laugh:
Thats what they are all about
Also, these fish dont form 'pairs'. You gotta have a harem, one male several females. It sounds like you have two males, or just an over-aggressive territorial male. Rearranging the rockwork might help. Is this other lab the only fish in the tank? If he's got it all to himself he will have trouble letting another fish, especially a yellow lab, into his territory.
-Diana
Thats what they are all about
Also, these fish dont form 'pairs'. You gotta have a harem, one male several females. It sounds like you have two males, or just an over-aggressive territorial male. Rearranging the rockwork might help. Is this other lab the only fish in the tank? If he's got it all to himself he will have trouble letting another fish, especially a yellow lab, into his territory.
-Diana