African Bully

onebad04

AC Members
Jan 20, 2004
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I just recently purchased 8 fish for my new 55 gallon tank. I got 4 melanochromis Exasperatus, 2 pseudotropheus Socolofi, and 2 Pseudotropheus Greshakei. Here is my question: I have already lost three fish (under 48 hours of my care, which is one socolofi, and two exasperatus). One Greshakei has taken the largest cave as his territory and chases anyone who comes near. I am almost certain that the three fish missing are from his killing. Now that the tank is less crowded, will he leave the other fish alone, or should I salvage the tank and take him out??
 
It's hard to say if he'll leave them alone... sometimes they will, other times they'll keep picking off fish one by one. The only way to really see what's going on is to observe the fish over some period of time (an hour our more), preferably with the room darkened so they fish can't see you so well.

Removing the aggressor sometimes help, although it often just elevates #2 in pecking order into the killer role... There is no guarantee #2 will be any more benevolent than #1 was.

HTH,
Jim
 
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