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How do I stop my cichlids from chasing each other?

The main methods used to reduce aggression include combining fish with similar size and temperament characteristics, combining fish with different coloration and patterns, appropriate feeding, combining fish that occupy different levels in the aquarium, providing enough horizontal space, providing adequate cover, …

Why are my cichlids chasing each other?

Cichlids chase each other because they’re naturally aggressive. Cichlids will also chase other fish when protecting their territory, competing for food, and exerting dominance. Male cichlids chase females when it’s time to breed. They’ll also chase other male cichlids to protect their mate.

What is the meanest cichlid?

The wolf cichlid is the meanest cichlid. Known as blood-thirsty beasts in the fishkeeping community, they are very vicious and territorial. Wolf cichlids won’t hesitate to attack any fish that dare enter their territory.

Do cichlid bites hurt?

As you can see, although Cichlids are known for being some fairly aggressive aquarium fish, especially towards other fish, they really are no threat to humans. They don’t bite all that often, and when they do, it usually won’t hurt either.

How do you tell if your cichlids are happy?

You’ll know your cichlids are happy if they exhibit the following signs of happy and healthy cichlids:

Healthy appetite.
Active swimming.
Flared out fins.
Shaking or shimmying fins occasionally.
Bright and vibrant colors.
No blemishes or white spots on the body.
No abnormal growths.
Clear, normal eyes, not cloudy or bulging.

Why do cichlids get aggressive?

Simply put, a cichlid may see this part of the aquarium as his or her own, and they will protect it at virtually any cost. If you don’t have a lot of caves, rocks, and natural barriers in a tank with many cichlids, they will become overly aggressive to compete for control of what they see as their territory.

Are African cichlids aggressive to each other?

These fish are more tolerant of varying water conditions than saltwater fish and are easy to keep by novice and intermediate-level aquarists. African cichlids are aggressive, but you can promote a more peaceful tank.

Are my cichlids fighting or playing?

There will be visible signs if a fish has been attacked in the tank. Such signs include marks on its body and nips on its fins. A fish that is injured will shy away from the other fish to give itself time to heal. Territorial fish are likely to be aggressive toward fish of their own species that are of the same sex.

Why are my fish circling each other?

Fish chase each other for a variety of reasons, such as defending their territory, establishing dominance, competing for food, and mating. Even fish that are typically docile fish may chase others because of constant stress. This could be due to incompatible tank mates, poor water conditions, or an overcrowded tank.

How can you tell if a cichlid is stressed?

Strange Swimming: When fish are stressed, they often develop odd swimming patterns. If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank, rubbing himself on gravel or rocks, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress.

What is normal cichlid behavior?

Normal cichlid behavior includes: Energetic swimming, especially when someone walks near their tank. Sifting substrate. Burrowing or making nests in the substrate.

Are cichlids territorial?

Yes, they are territorial and often aggressive, and yes, they can spell trouble in a community aquarium, but I like to think of them as wonderfully intelligent and interesting fish with “special needs.” Once an aquarist is made aware of those needs and gives cichlid fish what they need, they will be rewarded with …

How To Overcome A Bully , This Fish Is Bullying Other Fish

How To Stop Cichlid Bullying & Aggression- 9 Easy Steps to Follow | It’s A Fish Thing

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Summary of article content: Articles about How To Stop Cichlid Bullying & Aggression- 9 Easy Steps to Follow | It’s A Fish Thing Keep them well fed · Limit The number of males · Prove them good cover/hing spaces · Add new fish in groups. · Slightly overcrowd the tank … …
Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How To Stop Cichlid Bullying & Aggression- 9 Easy Steps to Follow | It’s A Fish Thing Keep them well fed · Limit The number of males · Prove them good cover/hing spaces · Add new fish in groups. · Slightly overcrowd the tank … 9 Ways To Stop Your Cichlids being aggressive to each other, these methods are proven ways on how you can stop bullying in your tank.
Table of Contents:

Why Are My Cichlids Attacking Each Other

How Do I Stop My Cichlid From Being Aggressive

Do African Cichlids Kill Each Other

What Are The Least Aggressive Cichlids

Conclusion

How To Stop Cichlid Bullying & Aggression- 9 Easy Steps to Follow

Cichlids are some of the most beautiful fish that you could have in an aquarium. However, they are also known to be quite aggressive, both towards each other and other fish species. Simply put, cichlids can be bullies.

To stop your Cichlids bullying you should:

Keep them well fed

Keep them well fed Limit The number of males

Limit The number of males Provide them good cover/hiding spaces

Provide them good cover/hiding spaces Add new fish in groups.

Add new fish in groups. Slightly overcrowd the tank

Slightly overcrowd the tank Change aquarium setup when adding new Cichlids.

Change aquarium setup when adding new Cichlids. Ensure they have enough horizontal space.

Ensure they have enough horizontal space. Mix Cichlid species (varying colorations)

Why Are My Cichlids Attacking Each Other?

There are several reasons why your cichlids may be attacking each other and other fish. Let’s do a quick rundown of the various reasons why cichlids behave in this manner.

There are three main ones to consider.

1. Reproduction

Cichlids are by nature quite competitive and aggressive, with one of the main reasons for this being the competitive drive to reproduce.

Male cichlids can be especially aggressive towards each other during mating season as they compete for the right to mate with a female cichlid.

This issue becomes clear when you have many cichlids of the same species in the same tank, as cichlids of the same species will be especially competitive with each other.

2. Food

The other main reason why cichlids are so aggressive towards each other is also due to their competitive nature, but here we are talking about food instead of women.

If you think about it, it’s really no different from the human world, and the rest of the animal kingdom in general with males competing for each other for food and women.

Food and the need to reproduce are always the two main things that cause competition in the animal kingdom.

3. Territorial

The third reason why cichlids might attack each other is due to territoriality. Simply put, a cichlid may see this part of the aquarium as his or her own, and they will protect it at virtually any cost.

If you don’t have a lot of caves, rocks, and natural barriers in a tank with many cichlids, they will become overly aggressive to compete for control of what they see as their territory.

How Do I Stop My Cichlid From Being Aggressive?

There are several things that you can do in or to your fish tank that will help curb cichlid aggression. Any one of the following actions on their own may not be enough to totally eliminate cichlid aggression.

However, if you follow several or even all of the tips that we are about to list, the chances of stopping cichlids from being aggressive bullies decreases significantly.

1. Mix Cichlid Species – Coloration

One of the things that you can do in order to reduce cichlid bullying and aggression is to make sure to mix cichlid species in your tank.

This applies particularly to varying colorations. Cichlids see the same members of their species as direct competitors, and will therefore bully other members of their own species.

Therefore, make sure to have varying cichlid species with different colors and patterns in the tank. The more diverse the colors are, the less likely the cichlids are to be aggressive bullies towards one another.

2. The Water Column & Aquarium Zones

Something else to keep in mind is that although many cichlids do like the bottom of the tank and the bottom third of the aquarium in general, not all cichlids do.

The more cichlids (and fish in general) you have occupying the same level or zone in the water column, the more likely they are to be aggressive.

Therefore, try to get different cichlid species that tend to occupy different zones in the aquarium, some at the bottom, some in the middle, and some at the top. If you can spread them out a bit, they’re much less likely to be aggressive.

3. Horizontal Space

Related to the above point, cichlids care way more about horizontal space than about vertical space. Therefore, in order to reduce cichlid aggression, one of the best things that you can do right from the get go is to get them a long and wide tank.

Tank height does not make much of a difference here. For a cichlid only or for a community fish tank with cichlids, you are much better off getting a tank that is long and wide, but has limited height.

4. Change the Setup When You Add New Cichlids

This point applies specifically to when you add new cichlids into a tank that already has cichlids in it. These fish are quite territorial, and they will get attached to or protective of certain things in the aquarium. Each cichlid will develop and guard its own territory.

Therefore, to stop bullying and aggression between cichlids, when you add new ones into the tank, change the aquarium setup.

Change the scenery, add some new stuff and take out some of the old, or just rearrange the tank decorations. This will ensure that no cichlid has the time to become overly territorial over any one location in the tank.

5. Slight Overcrowding

Something that you want to do with any cichlid tank, whether a community or a cichlid only tank, is to slightly overcrowd it.

Now, this probably goes against everything that you have been taught about keeping fish. However, it actually works wonders in cichlid tanks.

The more overcrowded a cichlid tank is, the busier and faster paced the environment will seem. This in turn makes it more difficult for any cichlid to focus their attentions on any one fish.

If a cichlid cannot focus on a single fish for bullying, the chances of it occurring are greatly reduced.

6. Keep them Well Fed

One of the main reasons why cichlids become aggressive is related to their naturally aggressive nature, specifically their drive to compete for food. Cichlids, in nature, live in very competitive environments where they must constantly compete for food.

Therefore, if your cichlids are not extremely well fed and satiated at all times, they will absolutely become aggressive and territorial in order to protect the food which they perceive to be theirs.

Simply put, feed your cichlids often and a lot, and this should help to curb bullying.

7. Limit the Number of Males

Whether it comes to the world of humans or fish, men have a tendency to compete with each other, specifically for females.

Simply put, the more male cichlids you have in comparison to females, the more bullying and aggression there will be. It is a good idea to limit the number of males in the tank, with a good ratio being three females to one male, or two females for every male at the very least.

This way, each male cichlid will have several females to choose from, so to speak, and that will help to drastically reduce aggression and bullying.

8. Good Cover

Another thing that you can do in order to reduce cichlid bullying in your aquarium is to provide the cichlids with plenty of cover and hiding spaces.

If they feel like they have enough room, a space that is their own, and a place to hide and to get some privacy from other fish, the less likely they are to be bullies. Therefore, having plenty of plants, rock caves, and hollow driftwood is called for.

9. Add New Fish in Groups

If you add new fish into a tank that already has cichlids in it, the less fish you add, especially if you add just one, the more likely those new fish are to get bullied.

Therefore, try adding at least three or four fish at a time. The more you add at once, the less likely individuals are to be singled out and targeted by some mean cichlids.

Do African Cichlids Kill Each Other?

If you have African cichlids, and you don’t follow any of the tips that we have outlined above, if they don’t have enough vertical space, if they don’t have enough food, if there are too many males compared to females, and so on and so forth, then they are likely to be aggressive towards one another, especially where males are concerned.

This can sometimes result in the death of some of the cichlids. In some cases, adult males may even try to eat juveniles, particularly male juveniles. In case you are wondering, yes they do have teeth!

What Are The Least Aggressive Cichlids?

There are various types of cichlids that are known for being fairly peaceful and non-aggressive, and these include the following.

Bolivian ram cichlid.

Bolivian ram cichlid. Keyhole cichlids.

Keyhole cichlids. Blue Acara cichlids.

Blue Acara cichlids. Yellow lab cichlids.

Yellow lab cichlids. German blue ram cichlids.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that cichlids are by nature aggressive fish and they can be very territorial. However, if you take the steps as outlined above, you should be able to curb or even fully eliminate cichlid aggression in your tank.

African Cichlid Aggression

Learn about the causes of cichlid aggression and methods for reducing it.

African cichlids are a favorite among aquarists due to their interesting behavior, relative ease of breeding for many species, and bright coloration. However, many cichlid aquariums end in disaster due to poor planning. Proper planning is required because many of the species native to the rift lakes of Africa are very aggressive. While this aggression can never be fully eliminated (and who would want to? – it is one of the things that make these fish so interesting), it can be reduced such that you do not come home one day to find half your tank wiped out.

The main methods used to reduce aggression include combining fish with similar size and temperament characteristics, combining fish with different coloration and patterns, appropriate feeding, combining fish that occupy different levels in the aquarium, providing enough horizontal space, providing adequate cover, sexing your cichlids, overstocking, and rearranging your aquarium.

Similar Size and Temperament

African cichlids can vary widely in their adult sizes. This is important to remember because most are sold as juveniles and they all look the same size at this stage in their lives. You need to do some research before you buy any species so you can make sure not to combine a species that will reach 10” with one that will reach 4”. If you do not do the research, the 4” fish will become a snack.

It is also important to ensure that the species are of similar temperaments. If you combine a highly aggressive species with a rather docile one, the aggressive one will make quick work of the other fish. However, if you combine two aggressive fish, they will both be able to fend for themselves and no one will end up being picked on. Keep in mind that individual temperament varies from one fish to another, but certain species have a greater likelihood of getting along with other fish in the tank.

Some types of African cichlid species deemed compatible include :

Aulonocara Buccochromis Champsochromis Cynotilapia Haplochromis Chilotilapia Labidochromis Aulonocara C Buccochromis O C Champsochromis O O C Cynotilapia C X X X C Haplochromis C X X C X C Exochochromis O O C C O Labidochromis O X X C C O C Cyrtocara O O O O O Tropheops C C C C C C O Otopharynx C O O C C O O Melanochromis C X X C C C C Maylandia C X X X C C C Copadichromis O O O O

O = compatible, C = use caution, X = not recommended

Different Coloration and Patterns

In the wild, African cichlids tend to look at others within their own species as competitors. They will often leave other species alone while constantly harassing their own. Cichlids look at the color and patterns of other fish to see if they are the same species. For instance, if you have demasoni (a black and blue striped cichlid from Lake Malawi), it would generally be unwise to combine it with other blue fish or other vertically striped fish, especially when the other fish have these characteristics, but do not have the aggression of a demasoni. There are thousands of cichlid species with a multitude of colorations and patterning so you should have no problem finding species that differ in these two areas.

Appropriate Feeding

One of the major reasons (besides mating) that cichlids are so territorial is due to food. If they find that food is scarce, they are more apt to be aggressive and guard their territory. If food is easy to find, their aggression is reduced somewhat. Now, this is not meant to endorse overfeeding. Instead, it is a reminder to stick to your daily schedule of 2-3 feedings with each occurrence lasting several minutes. Many people also consider it a good idea to fast their fish for a day every so often. Just be sure not to feed your fish sporadically or aggression in your tank could increase.

Occupying Different Levels in the Aquarium

While it is true that many African cichlids occupy the bottom of the aquarium, there are different species that live in alternate zones. In nature, there are fish that live along the rocky shores and there are ones that swim in the open waters. There are also ones that live on the sandy bottom. If you set your tank up to include each of these regions, you may find that the fish will not stake out the same territories. This will obviously reduce the amount of aggression in the tank.

Adequate Horizontal Space

If the cichlids you choose mostly occupy the bottom of the aquarium, horizontal space will be at a premium. For this reason, having a great deal of vertical space does little to reduce aggression. Instead, it is better to have a shorter tank that is long. The extra length will allow you to provide multiple caves along the bottom of the aquarium and each individual fish should have enough space to carve out his own area. If the fish are not forced to fight for prime real estate, they are less likely to be aggressive towards each other.

Adequate Cover

If you keep species that are native to a rocky biotope, it is important that you provide them with numerous rocky areas in the aquarium. This will serve two purposes. First, it will provide them with numerous caves so they will not have to fight over a few. Second, it will provide fish that are being harassed with cover so they can escape the dominant ones. It also simulates their natural habitat which they are sure to appreciate.

Sexing Your Cichlids

Many of the aggression issues are between males during mating times. Usually a dominant male will emerge in your tank and he will fiercely drive away any other male competition. Therefore, it is often a good idea to limit the number of males in your tank. This cannot be done for every species as sexing some cichlids is very difficult. Other species, however, are not that hard and in these instances, you should try to limit the male population. You generally want to provide each male with a small harem (mix 2-3 females per male). The male will chase the females relentlessly when he is ready to mate. If you have a 1:1 male to female ratio, the male will chase the one female until she dies. If he is forced to spread his chasing around, the females have a chance to rest before being chase again.

Overcrowding

In general, cichlids should be overcrowded. Overcrowding helps to curb aggression by making it difficult for any particular fish to focus on another one. With so many cichlids in the tank, it is difficult for the dominant ones to single out individuals. This spreads the aggression out to many fish which means each individual fish is not too stressed. However, you must be careful when overcrowding a tank. You will need extra filtration to handle the extra load and you will need to be very regular with your water changes.

In terms of what overcrowding means, let us look at an example. Suppose you have a 58 gallon aquarium. Now, typically you would want around 58” of fish if we are to go by the oversimplified rule of 1” of fish per gallon of water. If we stock it with fish that reach an adult size of 4” then we can expect to pick up around 14 fish. Now, say you pick up three or four more. Now you will have 68”-72” of fish. Notice that we did not add a huge amount over the recommended, but we did add a few more to pack the fish in the aquarium.

Rearranging Your Aquarium

It is a good idea to rearrange your tank every time you add a new cichlid species. If you do not do this, the established cichlids will already have their areas picked out and will fight the new fish that are unfamiliar with the territorial boundaries. By rearranging the rock work, each species – old and new – has an equal chance at securing a territory. It is also not a bad idea to periodically rearrange the rock work even when no new species are being added. Some people do this every 2-3 months as it helps to break up any territorial strongholds and seems to reduce aggression to a certain degree. It is also recommended that you introduce the least aggressive species first as you build up your tank to its full stocking.

Other Tips and Tricks

No matter how much research you do, none of it will matter unless you actually bring home the right fish. Unfortunately, many pet stores sell several different species of fish in the same tank lumped under the name “African cichlid”. Even if the pet store does label the different species, those labels are not guaranteed to be correct. In performing your research, make sure to find out what the fish looks like (in both adults and juvenile form) so you can confirm that the fish you are buying are actually the species they are labelled as. You cannot necessarily count on the staff in the pet store to be able to correctly identify the different species so you should come prepared.

Conclusion

Not all cichlids are the same and it is unfair to group them all into one behavioral group. However, the vast majority of the African cichlids are very aggressive and this article is meant to provide some tips on curbing this aggression. While it is important to research any fish you purchase, it is especially important to research any cichlids you are going to buy. As should have been clear from this article, picking the wrong species can be devastating to your aquarium.

Why Do Cichlids Chase Each Other? — Just Fishkeeping

Fish have unique and complex personalities. So, when cichlids chase each other inside their tank, there’s a reason for it. Cichlids are some of the most aggressive freshwater fish, so owners must be cautious when housing them inside an aquarium, especially if other fish species are present.

Cichlids chase each other because they’re naturally aggressive. Cichlids will also chase other fish when protecting their territory, competing for food, and exerting dominance. Male cichlids chase females when it’s time to breed. They’ll also chase other male cichlids to protect their mate. You can prevent aggression in cichlids by providing a wide tank with plenty of floor space and rearranging the tank every now and then to reset territorial boundaries.

If cichlids are left to chase and hurt each other, they can become stressed and withdrawn. Similarly, cichlids bite and cause injuries once they’ve caught the fish they were chasing. This behavior must be stopped.

Is It Normal for Cichlids To Chase Each Other?

Cichlids are freshwater fish that are native to tropical America, mainland Africa and Madagascar, and South Asia. They’re from the family Cichlidae in the order Cichliformes. The most common cichlid species include:

Angelfish

Oscars

Discus

Firemouth

Jack Dempsey

African cichlids

Cichlids are often observed chasing each other around the tank. When this happens, it’s easy to think that the two fish aren’t getting along. Sometimes it’s harmless, and sometimes it indicates a territorial issue within the aquarium. Cichlid fish pursue each other for the following reasons:

Protecting Territory

Territorial cichlids are most likely to chase other fish inside the tank. Tanks that are too small are the most common cause, as is a lack of hiding spots.

Many cichlids enjoy digging and prefer to occupy the bottom of the tank. They create caves that they claim as their own. Tanks that are too tall don’t allow enough space for cichlids to claim territory, so they fight each other for space and hiding spots.

As described in a journal published by Nature Communications, competition initiates divergence in habitat between cichlid fish.

Chasing that’s caused by territory issues is an act of aggression, and fighting usually occurs afterward. Signs of fighting include:

Torn fins and tail

Eye injuries

Inability to swim properly

The bullied fish isolating itself

To prevent this type of aggression, provide a tank that offers plenty of floor space, and opt for a wide tank instead of a tall one so that all cichlids have a specific spot they can call their own.

Also, add lots of rocks and plants to the tank, allowing bullied fish to find small spaces to hide in when chased.

Mating Behavior

Cichlids are aggressive during the breeding seasons when they’re attempting to find a mate. Dominant male cichlids chase other male fish, who they see as their competition. They also chase potential female mates to get their attention.

When mating, dominant male cichlids become more aggressive towards other male fish in the tank. A tell-tale sign that male fish are ready to mate is that their scales become dull and pale.

The male fish then proceed to chase female cichlids aggressively. They also protect them by chasing other fish away, puffing their bodies up to do so. This makes them look bigger and scarier than they are.

Science Daily describes how subordinate male fish wag their tails and quiver their bodies before mating. Therefore, if you notice the cichlids inside the tank perform this ritual after chasing another fish around the tank, they’re most likely trying to mate.

Similarly, mating fish will move rocks and substrate around at the bottom of the aquarium to create a hole for female fish to deposit their eggs into. These signs signify that eggs are soon to appear at the bottom of the tank.

Though, if male cichlids chase females and try to hurt them, it’s because the female fish have strayed into the male fish’s territory but aren’t willing to breed. Male fish will chase them away to defend their territory.

Food Competition

If there isn’t enough food available within the tank, cichlids chase each other. They might not attack each other, but the fish are attempting to get the last food traces that usually lie on the bottom of the tank.

Hunger also causes cichlids to become aggressive and encourages them to guard their territory.

Cichlids should be fed 2-3 times a day. When feeding, provide enough food for them to eat for 30 seconds to one minute non-stop. You might need to increase or decrease this depending on the fish’s weight and hunger levels, but experts agree this is a suitable amount of food to feed cichlids.

If your cichlids still chase each other after receiving enough food, they’re probably defending their territory or attempting to mate.

Dominance

Some species of cichlid, particularly African cichlids, are naturally aggressive. Fish display a range of complex social behaviors, and many cichlids like to dominate the tank.

Weaker, more peaceful fish are usually the first to be chased and attacked, as dominant fish assert their place at the top of the pecking order. A study published on Biology Open found that male African cichlid fish are either classed as subordinate or aggressive.

Researchers created a pair of subordinate and aggressive fish. In every case, there was a male-male confrontation between the resident dominant fish and the intruder, with the latter quickly taking the subordinate role.

However, another study by the University of North Carolina found that low-ranking cichlids can quickly become the dominant fish if their competition isn’t around.

As a result, cichlids are opportunistic creatures that take every opportunity to reign dominant over the tank, chasing each other and fighting to win the crown.

When new dominant fish are created, mating within the tank increases, as the male fish pay more attention to females. This is another reason why fish owners see an increased amount of chasing within the tank, as males attempt to create a brand-new match with females already in the tank.

What Are The Most Aggressive Cichlids?

Some cichlid fish are more aggressive than other freshwater fish. As a result, keeping them alongside smaller fish can encourage territorial cichlids to chase and eat them. Be careful of the following cichlid species when keeping them in a tank as pets:

Jack Dempsey Fish

Jack Dempsey fish are one of the most well-known cichlids and are also one of the most aggressive. They don’t mix well with other fish and often harass their tank mates.

A study carried out by Scholar Works looked into the aggressiveness of Jack Dempsey fish. They found that when they’re placed in environments with minimal hiding places, they become more aggressive.

Chases were common between the fish studied, as were bites when one fish made physical contact with the other.

Jack Dempsey fish retail for around $5 to $10. Because they’re so cheap, fish enthusiasts pack their tanks with them, not realizing that they grow to be quite large. As a result, the tank becomes overcrowded and causes the fish to become overly aggressive.

Oscar Fish

Oscar fish are another cichlid species that are known to be aggressive. Oscar fish lock lips with other fish and pursue each other to gain dominance. Oscar fish fight to:

Assert their position in the pecking order

Compete for food

Display stress at a tank’s poor conditions

Oscar fish become large. Therefore, they need a large tank to accommodate their size, or they start bullying other fish within the aquarium.

Oscar fish also need an ideal environment to keep them happy. This involves a clean tank with no traces of ammonia or nitrites that can make your fish unwell. There also needs to be an ample supply of oxygen.

Rearranging the tank can also help to reduce aggression levels. Providing new hiding places for the fish to explore can distract them from chasing other fish in the tank.

Also, be careful of placing smaller fish in the tank with Oscar fish. If they’re small enough, Oscars will chase and eat them.

Flowerhorn Fish

Flowerhorn fish are territorial, which makes them aggressive. They have a healthy appetite and must be well-fed to prevent them from chasing other fish for food. Flowerhorn fish even attack owners while feeding,

Male flowerhorn fish are more aggressive than females. They chase and kill fish within the same tank, especially if they’re significantly smaller. Some flowerhorns even catch and kill their young not long after they’ve hatched. This is more common when the fish are hungry.

Similarly, male flowerhorns shouldn’t be kept together in the same tank. Male and female fish fare better together, particularly during the breeding seasons.

African Cichlids

African cichlids are another territorial species of fish. They’re rock-dwelling, and all rock-dwelling fish are territorial because they like having parts of the tank to claim. Therefore, captive African cichlids need rocks and other accessories at the bottom of the tank to dig around in.

African cichlids are also aggressive when it comes to mating time. They’ll relentlessly chase female cichlids in the hopes of procreating with them.

To eliminate Africa cichlid aggression, you must choose a cage that allows the fish space to grow. Keep fish of the same size and temperament within the cage.

How To Prevent Cichlid Aggression

To prevent cichlids from chasing each other in their tank, you must remove the factors that are causing the fish to be aggressive.

In some cases, like when cichlids are mating, you need to let the fish carry out the natural behavior. But when chasing is accompanied by biting and injury, fish owners need to step in. You can prevent cichlid aggression by following these steps:

Avoid Small Fish

To stop your cichlids from chasing weaker fish, it’s best to choose tank mates that are a similar size – if not bigger. This keeps the territory levels within the tank at a level playing field.

It’s wise to choose fish that are a similar temperament to cichlids. Fish that are even more aggressive will bring out the worst of cichlids, while fish that are more docile are at risk of being bullied, chased, and harmed.

It’s also a good idea to find fish that prefer to occupy other areas of the tank. This will prevent your fish from fighting for territory at the bottom of the tank.

Research suitable fish species before making a decision and seek expert advice from a reputable fish retailer.

Fish with Different Colors

African cichlids see their own species as competitors and become more territorial towards them. They distinguish fish by their colors and patterns. If they look similar to their own colors, African cichlids will act unfavorably towards the fish, chasing and fighting them.

As a result, choosing fish for your tank that look different in coloration and patterning should help stop this kind of aggression.

You can find cichlid fish in a range of colors, so it shouldn’t be too hard to fight suitable fish for cichlids to live harmoniously amongst.

Optimal Tank Setup

When choosing a tank, ensure it has adequate floor space. Cichlids flock to the bottom of the aquarium, where they can burrow and hide amongst the rocks.

Without enough floorage space, cichlids will begin to chase each other and fight for space within the tank. This causes some of the smaller subordinate fish to become stressed and unwell.

Similarly, provide lots of rocky areas within the aquarium. This is proven to reduce aggression while providing cover for fish that are being harassed.

Rearrange The Aquarium

Every time you introduce new cichlids to your tank, rearrange the rocks and plants within the aquarium to reset the boundaries.

Territorial fish will have to find new areas to claim, giving the more subordinate fish within the tank a chance to claim their own territory.

It also allows the newly-added fish a chance to settle into the tank without being singled out straight away.

Even if you’re not adding new fish, rearranging the tank every other month is an excellent way to prevent territories from forming and dominant fish from taking control. It should also help to alleviate fish chasing each other within the tank.

How To Stop A Cichlid Bullying?

Some cichlid species are notorious for singling smaller fish out and bullying them to gain dominance inside the aquarium.

While overcrowding is one of the leading causes of aggression within tanks, it can help curb cichlids chasing one another.

This is because packing the tank with a few more fish makes it difficult for cichlids to focus on one particular fish, preventing smaller, vulnerable fish from becoming singled out and bullied.

However, be careful of overcrowding the tank too much. If too many fish are crowded into a small space, they can become stressed. Therefore, don’t pack the tank with too many fish – just add a few more than what the gallon rule allows, which states that there should be 1 inch of fish per gallon of water.

It’s not always a bad sign when cichlids chase each other. However, it can signify that they’re trying to assert dominance over other fish inside the tank. This can cause a significant amount of stress and injury if the cichlid manages to catch and bite the other fish. If you can’t resolve the problem, you may have to separate aggressive cichlids from the other fish altogether.

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