Rusty cichlids, what are they doing?

D

dmm28

AC Members
Nov 1, 2008
68
0
0
45
I'm totally new to cichlids so I went with easy non aggressive fish, I have 6 electric yellows and 6 rusties. Just this morning I was watching them and there is one of my rusties chasing some of the others around. He/She is not very larger either, in fact their all more or less juvenile. Just wondering if this a dominance thing or mating time?

I suppose I can just watch and see also!​
 
Just part of the settling in process most likely - they need to establish a pecking order. What size are they ? It may be gender issues depending on the mix (you want no more than a couple of males in each species with those numbers.

What size tank ?

Do you have a big old heap of rockwork/similar decor in there ?

Did they all go in at the same time ?

Are you happy the tank is cyled ?

Sounds like a nice set-up - pics pls :D
 
They're 3" and under. I'm not sure what the female to male ratio is as it's really hard to tell the difference right now. Tank is a 50 gal, I have some rock work not a ton but I'll be adding more soon. They all went in within 3 days of each other. I'm confident that the tank is cycled. I'll post pics as soon as I get my camera back.

Funny thing is my yellows are doing it too now! I'm kinda keeping an eye on things just to see what's up. I'm sure they're probably too young to start breeding yet but it's kinda getting my hopes up!
 
Coler said:
Just part of the settling in process most likely - they need to establish a pecking order. What size are they ? It may be gender issues depending on the mix (you want no more than a couple of males in each species with those numbers.

:D
Click to expand...

:iagree: with coler
 
As with the above info do remember these guys are still Mbuna and can be just as aggressive as others but normally towards each other in the sense of dominance..

When they reach a sexable size weed out extra males to the point of 1M / 3 to 4F for each colony.. good luck and enjoy..
 
Add more rocks as soon as you can; but don't worry about their behavior, it's normal for them to establish a pecking order; as Coler said. I think all will be alright with these 2 species together in those numbers.
 
I'd say just a dominance thing. Every tank has a pecking order.
 
There is no such thing as a non aggressive mbuna :) Just some are less aggressive than others. They will chase each other around a bit and establish who is who, but these species rarely hurt each other.
Breeding behavior involves a lot more "shivering" as the male will shimmy and shake in front of a female until he convinces her to breed. At 3" it may happen sooner than you think ;)
 
All sounds good - they're just settling in. As said above when you can sex them you may have to remove some males - I agree you are going to have little sprogs before you know it.

Tank sounds like a nice set- up - pics please !
 
Hey Coler

Speaking of sprogs my Caudopunct's had a litter and now they are gone so sad i will intervene next batch..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom