Bolivian Ram Bully

[fisharepeopletoo]

I have an established 10 gallon tank that is home to 3 pristella tetras, a bronze cory, and a bolivian ram (female). The bolivean ram was very shy, but not skiddish. Today I brought home another bolivian ram. The fish store said it was a female, but upon closer look when I got it home, it is definately a male. The female who had been in the tank started bullying the male almost immediately. She followed him around the tank biting at him and he took turns biting at her, but never chased after her. They have calmed down a little bit, but he still looks stressed out with his top fin at full flare. Is this normal first day behavior? What can I do to help them get along. Should I return the male, or maybe buy another female? I thought theses guys were supposed to be peaceful?

 

[fisharepeopletoo]

The male has lost all of the red color from his top fin and tail. He's losing all of his dark gray color too. Is there anything I can do to relieve the stress tonight? I've turned out the light, but she is still harassing him horribly. I don't have another heated tank to remove him to and this Michigan winter makes it far to cold to not heat a tank. Please, does anyone have any ideas to stop the fighting?

 

[KathyM]

Given the tiny size of the tank, I think the problems are more down to lack of space for territory than anything else. I would return them both - 10g isn't really enough for dwarf cichlids.

 

[thegnu]

they are cichlids and have all the traits of their bigger cousins. i keep apistogrammas in my tank and they spawn regularly. occasionally the a. agassizii and blue rams have both had free swimming fry together in the tank and the fights these little fish have is just incredible, but they haven't got the baulk to go with it.
your fishes dorsal fin at full flare is good, its a sign of aggression, dominance, contentment not stress, when the fins are clamped is worse. they might sort themselves out give them more time. good luck