Bumble Bee Zebra needs help

[FSUphitau85]

I have a 20g tall Africa tank with 2 zebras and two other africans (not sure what species). One is blue and black striped (vertical) and the other is yellow and black striped (horizontal). Anyway, one of the zebras developed a strange spot on his body today. Looks like something or another fish has gotten at his scales. It's a white spot about the size of a dime. All the coloration in that area is gone and it looks like you can almost see internally. I used to have some other fish in the tank with them, but I recently moved them, making it an African only tank. Since that time, the blue/black cichlid seems to be dominating the tank, chasing the 2 bumble bees around a lot (their tails also have become slightly frayed). Very strange, but any advice would help. Also, there is a good bit of cover in the tank for hiding. should I quarantine him?

Thanks

 

[kay-bee]

And this is all in the 20gal tall?

You DEFINATELY require a larger tank, especially with the type of mbuna's you have (which I'm guessing are bumblebees, possibily a kenyi and possibly a melanochromis auratus). These fish will grow to 5" or 6" and the bumblebees even larger (7"-8").

They'll eventually kill each other in that tank, you're perhaps seeing the initial indications of that.

The particularly aggressive or large mbuna species are perhaps best kept in a 75gal+, and definately nothing smaller than a 55gal. Tank length is also very important (which is why perhaps a 4ft 55gal is better than a 3ft 65ft). A 20gal tall is just too confining.

Solution: larger tank and larger population size (they also need to be kept in larger groups than 4, regardless of tank size).

Currently how large are these fish and can you post a pic of your tank?

 

[Coler]

^ x2 100%

That tank just doesn't have sufficient space to maintain a stable population of mbuna. Something like a 55 is needed or you will end up with just one or none sooner rather than later....on the plus side...if you get that tank....you can have a bunch more of 'em

 

[fish_master2000]

i have a bumblebee in my mix african tank, a few month ago my female powder blue bit the tail and pectoral fin off of him, he barely survived. now he is a porker. so just saying bumblebees are the most aggressive fish ever