What should I do with a very aggressive fish. I have all Cichlids. But this one in particular is?

Question

literally trying to eat at all the other fish in the tank...including the algae eater.

Answer 1

You cant do anything about the fish except find it a new home. You cant train fish, you certainly cant make it take an anger management class. I tried swatting my fish with a wooden spoon once, he didnt get the point.

Answer 2

Try moving all the tank décor around so all the fish lose their territories. That might even the playing field, so to speak.
What kind of cichlid is it? He may benefit from having some friends of his own species, if he doesn't already. A mate might divert his attention. Cichlids can be very territorial when spawning, but they aren't usually aggressive - they just fiercely chase other fish out of their territory.

Provide lots more hiding spots and rocks for everyone. Make sure your tank is of adequate size. Keep up with weekly water changes to keep everyone happy and healthy.

If none of that solves your problem, try www.fishforums.com. Worst comes to worst, you may have to get rid of him. Some fish really take over a tank and refuse to be with anyone else - but that doesn't usually happen unless they've been solitary for a long time.

Answer 3

Cichlids are hundreds of distinctive species. in case you purely purchase some random cichlid then hazard is this is going to easily slaughter your different fish, no count what length fish you purchase. There are some smaller and comparatively peacefull ciclids like Kribensis, rams or keyholes which could stay with smaller community fish, yet you could want a tank of a minimum of 20 gal to maintain them. Ian

Answer 4

I would take him out of the tank put him by his self or try giving him away in the newspaper. I know because I have the same problem with a couple of my female Betta's. But I just put them in the paper and I got a ton of people that wanted them on the first day at 5:00am in the morning and they kept all their fish alone but in all in 5 gallon tanks.So maybe u could luck out and get someone like that for your fish or give them to one of your local pet stores and I'm sure they'll be glade to take them.

Answer 5

I would chop its head off -- really. But do it quickly so that it doesn't suffer. Putting a fish down the toilet is horrible -- what a terrible way for a fish to die.

A pet shop employee told me that its also considered humane to put it into a plastic bag with water & put it in the freezer. She said it "just goes to sleep." Don't know about that. If you can't find someone who wants one fish in a tank I can't see that you have any other options.

Answer 6

I would want to know what kind of fish are in the tank, and what kind the problem fish is, before recommending anything. The obvious answer is obviously to seperate him sooner then later.

Answer 7

Cichlids are known to get where they want to be the only one in the tank when they get bigger. I recommend separating them or he will literally chase the other fish to death.

I used to own Cichlids.

Answer 8

You can buy a tank divider, it's a net that you can buy at pet stores. Or you can put him in his own little bowl, chilids are very agressive fish!! You should always know what you are buying before you get it. Barbs are also very agressive too.

Answer 9

Remove him from the tank. Put him in a tank all by himself.

Either that, or flush him.

Answer 10

if i were you i would get rid of the fish because he could end up killing al of your other fish