Aggression issues - round 2

[mcybyk]

Since it seems some posts were deleted, I am reposting my thread with an update. I had talked to my lfs and they suggested adding some haps and peacocks to increase the numbers. I also called another lfs in Cleveland, and they said that adding haps and peacocks could work, but it was not a guarantee. Austinpetemo posted that he thought it would be a bad mix, but I never saw any other posts, and then it disappeared.

Well, because my lfs has not given my any reason to doubt their prior advice, I went ahead and purchased 2 peacocks and 1 hap. All three are good sized compared to the other tank mates. I did rearrange all the decor prior to adding them. 24 hours later, the 3 newbies appear to be doing fine. The red-top, on the other hand, is still getting picked on non-stop when the lights come on by the afra, the acei and now the lab.

Because of all abuse the red-top continues to endure, I am thinking of removing him from the tank. My lfs did have a another peacock and another hap that I was considering exchanging him for, both about the same size as my other guys. This would bring the tank ratio to 2 haps, 3 peacocks and 7 mbuna. Because my mbuna are all larger, I am hard pressed to find suitable additions in the area, as I have called around to several area lfs to check their stock.

Let me know if I am going about this the right way or not - Coler told me this day would come, and here it is. Now I need the solution.

 

[blue2fyre]

I think you would have been better not adding the haps and peacocks. They are less aggressive than mbuna and can have a tough time when mixed with them. I think you might have been better adding more mbuna instead. An all male tank can be difficult and it takes trial and error to find the right mix. You might have to switch out fish and replace them until the you find a semi peaceful combination.

 

[mcybyk]

Blue - after watching the fish some more this evening, I do think I am going to take them back, as well as sell the red-top to my lfs. Although none of the newbies are getting picked on, they seem skitish and I don't feel like wasting the money to see these beautiful fish not make it. I guess my next tank will be a peacock tank though.

I did find a place on Aquabid that is close to me and had the following fish, all 2" +:

Pseudo. Minuts Elongotus, Lacoma Island
Labeotropheus Fuelleborni
Pseudo. Lombardio Kennyi

Would these be better choices?

 

[Rollinondubz200]

Pseudo. Lombardio Kennyi

my male and female was mean

 

[efors]

^ Yep. The Metriaclima lombardoi (Kenyi) is one of the most aggressive mbunas that you can buy; so, I don't think you should get it.

 

[Pittbull]

I second that.. mean boogers aye..

 

[mcybyk]

Should I also stay away from Melanochromis Auratus and Johanni due to their aggression?

 

[efors]

IMO, you should stay away also from those 2 Melanochromis. A better option from that same group is IME, Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos; commonly known as Maingano or Electric Blue Johanni (a beautiful mbuna).

 

[Pittbull]

Yes do stay away from them they like to play a game called seek and destroy..

 

[mcybyk]

Thanks for the feedback. Unfourtunately, I'm in a jam at work and don't know when I can get to my lfs to return the peacocks and hap or do anything about the afra vs red-top issue. As a result, I decided to take the afra out of the tank, since he is the main aggressor, and put him in a QT tank to see what the other fish do. My thought is to reintroduce him this weekend after eveyone else has settled into the rework of the tank. I guess I will be having a mixed Malawi tank until this weekend - we shall see how everyone behaves.

BTW - Pitt, how are your other fish doing?