Help! New member!

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nortonc

Registered Member
Jul 22, 2006
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I have recently bought a 75 gal tank and started cycling with a single Firemouth. Today I added a Nicaragua cichlid and the Firemouth will not stop chasing it all over the tank. Will this likely continue to the death or will they calm down when territories have been established? A quick response very appreciated!

Chris
 
Are we talking nicaraguense (gold body, blue head)? Relative sizes right now?

The nic is going to outgrow and outaggression the firemouth down the line (probably). Watch the nic for obvious signs of stress - panting, fin rot, ich and treat asap. Make sure the nic has places to hide if necessary. I think that the tables will turn quickly on the firemouth.
 
The more cichlids, the less 1 can be picked on (usu.), and the less territory 1 can claim to fight for. Whenever I add fish, my johanni always picks 1 of them to REALLY beat up right away. But, he gets confused if I tap on the glass right as he gives chase. Make lots of hiding spots, as stated earlier. If a fish get beat up too much, it may become submissive & depressed, hardly coming out from hiding. I try to pick out more active fish at my LFS, they sometimes put the johanni, as john belushi would say, "in esplace."

Also, if anyone knows about breeding, my cichlids may be at it. NEED HELP! check the forum below.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83491
 
Thanks for your responses guys. He is a nicaraguense and they are both about the same size (2.5"). I ended up removing the firemouth and putting him back in his original 20 gal community tank. He was fine in there as was the last fish in originally and displayed very little aggression.

The chasing and biting went on literally all day to the point where the nicaraguense was up in the corners being attcked from below with damage to his fins. No matter where the other hid, the firemouth would keep attacking! I may return the firemouth in a week or so when the nicraguense has had chance to establish territory. I just hope it doesnt happen again the other way around!! Oh yeah, i forgot to mention there is plently of driftwood and I have built caves along the back wall with slate and rocks.
 
nortonc said:
Thanks for your responses guys. He is a nicaraguense and they are both about the same size (2.5"). I ended up removing the firemouth and putting him back in his original 20 gal community tank. He was fine in there as was the last fish in originally and displayed very little aggression.

The chasing and biting went on literally all day to the point where the nicaraguense was up in the corners being attcked from below with damage to his fins. No matter where the other hid, the firemouth would keep attacking! I may return the firemouth in a week or so when the nicraguense has had chance to establish territory. I just hope it doesnt happen again the other way around!! Oh yeah, i forgot to mention there is plently of driftwood and I have built caves along the back wall with slate and rocks.
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Don't be surprised if the nic chases the firemouth around soon. My female nic chased EVERYTHING in the tank, pretty much ALL the time after awhile (about a year). This included a full grown male firemouth and an almost full grown male sev both of which ended up with fin rot from the stress. Had to get rid of the nic. She started out pretty mellow - go figure!
 
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