Fish Murder

Aggressive fish killings are typically caused by not having enough volume to make everyone feel comfortable. It's important to consider the fish's needs beforehand...not after they're dead.

I think that the angels were just aggressive for no good reason...a 72g bowfront should have had more than enough room to mitigate angel aggression due to territoriality.

Also, I think that, unless Serpaes are a lot bigger than I thought, you could still stock a little more in the tank--and I am looking toward the Cories. One Cory isn't really happy, and you have the room for it, so might I recommend adding another five (after a good quarantine period)?

I understand your disappointment in Cichlids. Sometimes these fish just get nasty, but you may end up with a rogue tetra every once and again, too. Don't stop with the angels, though...they can be among the nicest of fish (when not spawning). However, don't add another one to your striped one's tank...doesn't sound like he takes to kindly to others.

Other than that, watch the striped one and make sure that he's not messing with your other fish. If he is, sell him back or something and get some more, hopefully less homicidal Angels.

Good luck with whatever you do with the tank,

Matthew

Angry angels

I had a similar experience, with one of my angels dominating another. He was just a big mean cichlid. On the other hand, I have two Jack Dempsey's (notoriously mean) who are gentle as lambs. They won't eat feeder fish, they don't bother the pl*co, and unless they are spawning, they leave the rotating dither fish alone.

Go figure.

I have 3 angels. They are all different sizes which is annoying.

The biggest one picks on the medium one and then the medium one picks on the little one. Mean fish they are