african cichlids being bullies

Hammy & Waf

Hammy & Waf

fishaholics
Nov 8, 2007
191
0
0
columbus, oh
we have a 29 gallon tank with 5 african cichlids, i believe tey are as follows

Melanochromis auratus
2 Melanochromis johannii
Yellow Labidochromis
Albino Psuedotropheus socolofi

now the albino one was purchased last and was purchased pregnant, at first it was all good, then i had a terrible ammonia and nitrate spike, but that is now taken care of (results of an uncared for undergravel filter). now the fish are active, the parameters are good, but when the fish were going through the spike the albino one was severely nipped at, now she is swimming around more, but mostly hangs at the top. they still nip and poke at her. what should i do? i have other available tanks if needed.
 
Well, for starters I think that a 29 gallon is too small for for African cichlids, especially 5. I would recommend using one of your other tanks if it is larger. Most people suggest a 55 minimum for Africans. Also in my experience, fish hanging around the top is not always a good sigh. Does it appear to be gasping for air? If your other tanks are not large ones, maybe move the albino and see if your 29 goes back to peaceful.
 
Hammy & Waf said:
we have a 29 gallon tank with 5 african cichlids, i believe tey are as follows

Melanochromis auratus
2 Melanochromis johannii
Yellow Labidochromis
Albino Psuedotropheus socolofi

now the albino one was purchased last and was purchased pregnant, at first it was all good, then i had a terrible ammonia and nitrate spike, but that is now taken care of (results of an uncared for undergravel filter). now the fish are active, the parameters are good, but when the fish were going through the spike the albino one was severely nipped at, now she is swimming around more, but mostly hangs at the top. they still nip and poke at her. what should i do? i have other available tanks if needed.
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You can prob kiss goodbye to the albino and possibly the yellow lab at some point due to having Melanochromis in there, which by the way will get way to big for the tank they are in. The chances are the 2 johannii will start fighting soon. I have 3 Melanochromis (joanjohnsonae/auratus(male)/johannii) which due to being a 50 gallon and in with 11 other fish tend not to be as aggressive although I did introduce an albino auratus which lasted a good few months but unfortunately died 2 days ago from harrasment.
 
Okay. The 29 is way too small. Do some research before you buy fish. This is the main reason you are having problems. Go look for a 55 gallon or larger.

Africans do not get pregnant. They are mouthbrooders. :duh:
 
the fish is not gasping for air, it just hangs out at the top (we have a large flake plant that goes to the top, that's where she hangs out). i did not buy the fish, we took them from a friend, which is why i'm trying to figure out what to do. i know the eggs are in their mouth, but i can still call it pregnant. anyways, i could move them into a 40 breeder, but that is the biggest i have available.
 
It posted on me twice, for some reason. What i was trying to say is don't be offended by people's commments. Some times it comes out rude or may appear they are being harsh, but some people get really upset when people do things improperly. Just ask for help and people here will be glad to give it. Let us know how you make out.
 
if i move them into the 40g should i just keep the 5 i have?
 
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