PS Zebra is a tad aggressive

[Luca Brazzi]

Ok.

Ive got about 20 cichlids in my 75 gallon tank. The range in size from 1" to about 3". One of them is an Albino PS. Zebra who all of a sudden seems to want half the tank to himself. Anyone who goes to the left side of the tank gets chased, sometimes all the way to the other side. I thought the Chipokae (even though its a female) was supposed to be the meanest. The Chipokae (about 3" long) rarely chases any of the others. But that DANG Zebra... Will the balance of power in the tank tend to shift around, or will the Zebra remain King?

[Monglor]

Get a male chipokae and that zebra will be quickly dethroned. Males chipokaes are just about unbeatable. Remains to be seen if the zebra can remain dominant. Cichlids are always fighting to move up in the pecking order.

[ChilDawg]

I think that the suggestion, while meritorious in how ingenious it is, might be a little incorrect. If Luca is trying to take care of aggression problems, adding a more aggressive fish wouldn't make them any better...plus a breeding pair of Chipokae would just commandeer half the tank anyway...it's not really a good situation in that case. I would suggest removing the Zebra, rearranging some decor, and then reintroducing him after a few days.

[Luca Brazzi]

Well, I did rearrange the tank completely, and I added 2 more fish. Now the Zebra has chilled out immensely. I had also raised the temp in the tank so that may have had something to do with the excessive aggression.

However, now I have another problem. All of a sudden, there are 2 fish in the tank that continuously gang up on my Venustus. Anytime it shows a fin above the rocks, it gets chased off the set. Oh well, I guess the balance of power will shift back and forth till they become adults.

Its amazing... so far my 3.5" female Chipokae is one of the most well mannered fish in the tank! It rarely chases anyone, and is often chased by others.


BTW.... I wonder what makes Fish "A" run from Fish "B" in the 1st place? I mean, the Venustus is way larger than the fish that chase it... why doesnt it just turn around, ***** slap the fish chasing it, and go on about its business? I guess its all about attitude right?

[ChilDawg]

Yeah, I think so. Remember all the posts about Cons beating up on Piranhas and Oscars and the like? The baddest fish usually wins (unless the biggest fish eats it).