Simian Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 I am having some issues with my Texas Blue. He used to be the bottom of the pecking order, but now he's in the 5' he's a Nazi :evil: He bashes any fish he see's, except for the Nicaraguans, which are his girlfriends. Its now getting to the point where he's going to do some serious damage very soon. He's agreat looking fish and really dont want to get rid of him, any suggestions? There are plenty of area's for territory, he just thinks he owns the tank. I wondered about putting him in isolation for a week or so and see what happens when I put him back in. Halp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Isolation can work.... we have been there and done that ourselves with a particular large cichlid we had who decided to step up a knotch in attitude... solitary confinement may just do the trick for your boy... however there is always the chance that when settled back in he may try the old dominance thing again..... and if so it then sounds like you need to get another tank :lol: You could also try changing a few things around in the tank also before you pop him back, or while he is still in there and see if that makes a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firenzenz Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Have you given the tank a big re-arrangement, might make new territories and could help. A lot more hidey holes for all but an obvious 'prime spot cave', like a terracotta pot or rockwork cave under some wood for him. Might make him feel more secure and less nervous, and therefore less aggressive. What else is in the tank? with the two you've mentioned I guess the others have to have enough b@lls to handle them. Add more fish(s) of that aggression level to hopefully dissipate his influence. Give him his own space/tank and let the rest get on in harmony. Isolation- yes definitely worth a try but I would suspect that unless you make changes to tank dynamic while he's out he'll just start back where he left off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 isolation has worked for us maybe it is breeding agression over his "Nicaraguan girlfriends" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simian Posted May 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 isolation has worked for us maybe it is breeding agression over his "Nicaraguan girlfriends" Yeah I did wonder about that, maybe he wants to get jiggy with it so is getting in mating mode. But what can you do about that? he's not really listening to me when I try and explain about the dangers of hybridism Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samstylez Posted May 15, 2008 Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 I had a lot of success by doing a big 'rearrangement' in the tank. Now I just move a few things round every now and then so that the aggression doesn't come back. Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted May 15, 2008 Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 There are plenty of area's for territory, he just thinks he owns the tank. Um, I think this is way of telling you there isn't plenty of room for territories. What are the tank mates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Whip Posted May 15, 2008 Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 How good is your filtration? Could you add more fish. Over crowding can work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simian Posted May 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Um, I think this is way of telling you there isn't plenty of room for territories. What are the tank mates? Oscar 15cm, Bichir 25cm, Jeweled, convict, 2 Nicaraguans 15cm, gold sevrum 20cm In a 5' plenty of room and filtration, just aware that they will grow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simian Posted May 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Bigger pic for idea of depth The Jeweled hides on the top ledges now since Tex got really crazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 that tank looks wicked love the rock work etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simian Posted May 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Thanks man, I promised Caryl I'd do a DIY article for the mag, I just need to get off my butt and get it written...and do some progressive shots ( didnt do many pics during construction) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Cool set up for your "chickalids".. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tropheus Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Thats a good looking display tank. Love the rock work and the log. Drift wood always looks good in a display tank but i prefer not to use it in a malawi tank. Iam more into africans but those Nicaraguans are so cute and peaceful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malawiman Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Great job with the setup of the tank. Good to see the end product of your labour, it is worth the time and effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 In a 5', plenty of room Again, I think your fish is disagreeing with you. Duncan7's male texas claimed his entire 4' tank as his territory, and I'm sure in the wild they would defend an area a bit bigger than half a 5' tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firenzenz Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Great Tank Simian. And Agree with Tropheus about the 'Nics' . Though when he's taliking peaceful I assume thats compared to the fish he's named himself after. I do tend with David- while all cichlids will vary in their personality, Texans are known as highly aggressive fish. It seems from the images, to be just one main open area, with line of sight from one end of the tank to the other unless of course, your hovering under the log in abject fear. Never had a Texan but a big Hap would just see that as all his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted May 16, 2008 Report Share Posted May 16, 2008 Nics are generally nice natured, but boy they can pack some punch and own a tank if they want to (generally the males are alot more aggressive than females), speaking from experience, we have kept adult Nics.. however, yeah with a Texas in there throwing his weight around, they will certainly back right off. Definately a nicely set up tank tho 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simian Posted May 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2008 Yeah you guys are prob right, I will have to decide what to do with Tex. Oscar can look after him self but the smaller guys and the severum don't stand a chance, its a shame hes such a pretty fish Ill try and split the tank in half with decorations and see how that works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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