I have a 45 gallon tank set-up with a few live plants and a large piece of dirftwood (with a hollow spot unforounatly.....) I purcashed this fish and one other about 4 months ago. He was fine untill his partner died. So just him and the alegea eater. Problem no.1, he NEVER comes out. The wood piece I have in there as two spots where he can go in and choose not to come out. You cant see him at all. Not even for food. Why have a fish if you cant seem him? If he is out and you walk by he zooms right back in the log. When he is out, he will pick on my algeage eater and terroize the other fish. I recently as of three weeks ago added 4 new small african cichlids(2 of which are beautiful bumblebees). They are about an inch. My blue fish is about 4inch. Even though I completely rearanged the tank, he thinks the log is his. Problem number two. He moves gravel at the rate of a construction crew!! Makeing huge piles over night! None of my other fish do this, and this has been going on forever.
2006-09-10 15:44:25 · 6 answers · asked by melaniemarie 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Considering the circumstances, it seems like completely normal behavior for what you have in your tank. The widower should open up to the new cichlids eventually, but considering the size difference, they're may or may not be (Picking on the smaller ones) issues.
The widower, since he lost his partner has found himself all alone, all of a sudden and has taken refuge in the wood piece. This is completely normal behavior and since it makes him feel safe, he'll probably remain there indefinitely.
You have done the right thing as far as getting several replacement cichlids, only time will tell. Every fish has his or her own personality traits.
I wouldn't worry to much about your pleco, he'll be fine for now.
If you want, after everyone has become acclimated with one another, you can try removing the wood piece. But don't do it now, as your original cichlid needs his safe heaven. Without out it he could become over stressed and die.
Response to Owen: Yes, cichlids are primarily carnivirous fish, but in all actuality they are omnivours, meaning their diet consist of both plants and meat. That is why they will usually destroy your live plants. But, in some cases depending on the specific type of cichlids you may be okay with live plants. But, as you mentioned, probably not!
As far as needing live food, all depends on where the fish came from. If they came from your local fish store, ask them what they feed their cichlids. If they're feeding them frozen brine then continue that and it isn't neccessary to feed them live food. If your fish are use to eating live food, it's better to continue to do so. Just remember this, if you feed your fish live food on a regular basis or exclusively, they will be more aggresive than if they were not fed the live food. I've known many a cichlid owner to rotate feedings from staple food to frozen brine and back to staple with very healthy results. But you do need to give them (frozen or freeze dried) meat on a regular basis.
{By the way, JFI . . . I have managed multple pet stores over the years. Currently a member of the NMEA (National Marine Educators Assoc.) Spent a total of 14 years working with the National Geographic Foundation and the Cousteau Society, as well as my current work with the FWRI (fish and Wildlife Research Institute) and I was Special (Hippocampus) Director at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi during their Seahorse exhibit. Personally I don't have any fresh water tanks running, but I do have a 12000 gallon reef tank in my home.}
Good Luck
2006-09-10 15:56:44 · answer #1 · answered by De Expert 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You do realize it is a carnivirous fish and needs live baby fish to feed on this may be the problem feed it. Chiclids are in the same family as oscars and so forth meaning meat eaters. That is why he is nibbling on the other fish. One other thing remove the log and put somthing smaller it is place like a fake coral pice or some form of statue just a thought. Get rid of the live plants chiclids are territorial and aggressive they will destroy the live plants and may not be good for them replace with fake ones the driftwood is okay but maybe find a smaller piece that has no big holes he can hide in these fish will get big my brother had two oscars each 12" long in a 33 gallon tank fish will grow to the size of there surroundings.
P.S they also like brine shrimp usually you can buy frozen My brothers were fresh water sao I hope this helps a little chiclids are also scavengers so they may be looking for food in the gravel make sure you have lots of gravel they are just a messy fish.
2006-09-10 16:04:42 · answer #2 · answered by Livinrawguy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry but just like ppl fish go through depression too. The fish is suppecting that either a human which he runs from or either the algae eater killed him. If I'm not mistaken "DID THE ALGAE EATER SUCK ON THE DEAD FISH" If so that may be a problem. He just needs another partner but that still may not work. He would have to get use to the new guy and all. G2G bye
2006-09-11 12:48:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
White people messed other people's lives up, in so many countries and for so long. Black people messed their own lives up, in so many countries and for so long. Read up about their savage tribal acts against each other, and look at the state African countries are in. The human race (black white purple brown yellow etc) has been brutal and had had a hard time altogether. Stop throwing insults in particular directions. You are taking a step backward in time. People like you ARE the problem you are complaining about. Take a step back and look at the bigger picture. And btw, they have definitely not been here for "thousands" of years! lol
2016-03-27 06:26:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cichlids are naturally territorial fish. That is why he is acting the way he is. While he had a tank mate (assuming you put them in there at the same time) they shared the water. Now that you have put new, smaller ones in the tank he is just defending what he thinks his.
2006-09-10 16:13:27 · answer #5 · answered by Zach S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He's definitely not happy, but as to the true source of his problem there are just too many factors to consider, and none of which that could be the actual problem (based on your description).
I hate to say it, but I would simply take him back to your LFS and see if they will allow you to trade him for some more Bubblebees.
2006-09-10 15:48:26 · answer #6 · answered by sly2kusa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋