Agressive and Submissive behavior

[sarcare]

I'm new to the world of Cichlids. I have a 38g qt tank set up with plants and rocks for 3 medium to medium large angels and 3 juvie rams. The angels mostly get along well, though I'm still having a hard time getting the smaller two to eat.

The primary problem I have is with the rams. The smallest is an inch and the largest an inch and a half. Two of the rams are VERY agressive. The smallest ram--a gold terror, chases everything around--he has nipped the angels, though not as much after they nipped him back. The largest ram has also developed agression, and will flare his fins and ram down the other big ram.

So the tiny gold chases everyone, the big ram chases the other two rams, and the third ram shows either sickness or submissive behavior.

When confronted by the flaring fins of either of the other rams, this "submissive" ram turns pale and leans sort of to one side. I'm not sure if this is normal behavior, or if the ram is sick.

The tank has plenty of spots for territories--a three foot tank with rocks and plants! They've been in there for a week--are they still establishing pecking order and territories?

 

[Cory Lover]

Hello sarcare,

They probably have a pecking order, just like my Upside-Downers. The dominant one (Pizzazy) constantly shows that she is the boss to my other two. In my situatain, they never hurt each other, but in yours, because you have cichlids, they might pick on the less dominant one and make it more weak.

Cory Lover

 

[mj20061983]

do you have plenty of places for the weaker fish to take refuge?? i have african ciclids and hiding spots are a plus......i havent had a fish get killed since i made a giant pile of flag stone in my tank.

 

[sarcare]

There are lots of hiding places, but the rams will purposely come out of them to fight and to seek each other out. They are INSANE! I'm just curious to see if the leaning over behavior is typical of a fish showing submission--it does look like the fish is trying not to look threatening.