My cichlids (malawians) are killing each other off. How can I stop this?

Question

There is a war going on my tank. From 25 fish I now have 11 left.
The fighting does not stop.

Answer 1

Solutions to solve your problem: adequate tank size, correct sex ratio, compatible species selection, & rocky aquascape. To balance out the aggression you'll need to apply ALL of these solution techniques to your set up:

The violence in your tank is to be expected if your tank is smaller than 55gal and/or if you have an improper sex ratio. I'm assuming your lake malawi cichlids are mbuna since you didn't specify the exact species of malawians you have.

A 55gal+ is required. 75gal+ is recommended for hyperdominant species (chipokae, kenyi, auratus, etc). If you can't meet this requirement, expect the bloodbath to continue. Assuming you have a 55+ tank, you'll need 8-12 malawians minimum.

Adjust the sex ratio in your tank. Each species of mbuna requires 2-4 females per male (for example 3 male red zebras, 6-12 female red zebras). Certain species (especially the hyperdominants mentioned in the previous paragraph) won't tolerate the presence of another male of their own kind in the tank and will constantly attempt to to eliminate it.

Stock your tank with compatible aggressive types. While most african cichlids are aggressive some are more aggressive than others. The more aggresive types thrive in a high aggressive environment; while the semi-aggressive types in this same set up are disadvantaged. For a less hectic african cichlid set up, stick to the more 'peaceful' species such as yellow labs, rusties and acei. Be advised that a 'peaceful' mbuna is still more aggressive than most tropical fish.

Mbuna are 'rock fish'. They claim the rocks, seek refuge in them and defend them. The more rocks you have the greater number of hiding spots and territories. One of my most aggressive african cichlids has claimed a cave and will defend it but won't stray far from it (thus curbing his aggression).

Answer 2

only thing to solve this problem is....

Is your aquarium too small ? Cichlids from Malawians used to call Mbunas requires 55 gallon tank or larger.

If you have rocks work, try to rearrange it as often as you can because it will break up the terrority. If it does not help, i suspect that you have too much male Mbunas in your tank. The suggestion ratio is 1 male to 4 females per group. If you feel it does not help, try to catch the most dominate male and give to your local fish shop.

If you feel that your tank have just few rocks, just add more rock work, they prefer rocks that stacks up to 2/3 height of the tank.

Also, lots of filter will help with lots of circulation your tank filter should have ciruclate the tank water about 6 to 8 times per hour. If your tank is about 25 (i guess) times 6 equals 150 gallon per hour, but i'd recommend get something stronger filtering system like Emperor 400 (400 gallon per hour). If you have strong filter system, you always can overstock your cichlids in the tank because the male will not chase your sole female all the time.


hope it helps.

Answer 3

How To Stop Cichlid Aggression

Answer 4

Cichlids are very agressive and territorial. One thing that will stop them is to have hiding places for each of them. If there is nowhere for them to go and hide, they are always visible to the dominant fish/fishes.

I use PVC pipe to make caves. I cut it to just slightly longer than the longest fish in the tank and put pieces in many different locations. You can also use small flower pots propped up on rocks so they can get under them. Lots of decorations to cut down on sight lines (so they can't see the length of the tank to spot other fish) are a must, also.

I keep a 55 gallon with about 25 fish in it, mostly Malawi (a few Tanganyikans), a couple south Americans. They are all around 5-6 inches. There are multiple hiding places and if something scares them, they can all disappear in about one second. Then it looks like an empty tank.

If you know what you are doing, you can house quite a few in one tank. Lots of filtration is a must. 20 gallons per fish is ridiculous.

Hope this has given you a couple ideas. Good luck.

Answer 5

Cichlids are just mean. Put lots of rocks and hiding places in your tank for the fish. How big is your tank. If you have 25 Cichlids then you better have a 400 gallon tank or bigger. A cichlid needs like 20 Gallons per fish. They grow very large, and they are territorial. If they don't have proper space to move and live, then they will kill off any other fish in their area.

Answer 6

The way you had your tank setup Im guessing your were trying to overstock to avoid aggression. Typicall this works best if if the tank does not have rocks and caves, b/c this way they are not able to establish territories. Many people do it this way but it is completely not natural. IMO the best way to do ot is to have many caves, etc. and a small number of fish in as big a tank as you can have. This provides them with more natural enviorment and they can co-exist this way. That being said they may not. Mbunas (im assuming this is what you have) are very territorial fish.

Answer 7

oh boy...who told you that you can put that many ciclids in one tank???? Two breeds at the most & depending on the size tank, only 4-6 to a 30 long tank. If you don't pull most of them out, you will eventually come to a balance, the bigger or most aggressive ones remaining....have any extra tanks hanging around? Even seperators may work for a while...
I swear, people who work in pet stores have no idea about the animals they sell now...

Answer 8

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Answer 9

cichlids are very Territorial!! they are very aggressive fish!! i use to have those type of fish. make sure you have a lot of rocks, in the tank !! this way the smaller fish can hide !!

Answer 10

with my cichids i just keep an even amount of males and female! they never fight unless 1 dies and then its partner is picked on and they kill him if i dnt get a new partner in time!! also each pair must be able to have thir own territory in the tank or they sometimes fight to the death for domenance!!!
hope this helps u!!!!