Breeding Problem

[Soaup]

I have several breeder tanks in one of my Melanochromis Auratus tanks I have 2f 1m, Since introducing the females the male has been beside himself sitting the corner, Well i took a look at him today, The females beat him up. He has a nice chunck taken out of his tail. Im thinking about removing the Male but why would the females be beating up on the mail its usually the other way around.

 

[Krib Crazy]

Because you are never supposed to put just one african cichlid in a tank. When you introduce new fish the fish in the tank have already established there hierarchy. So when you add just one fish they have to show them who is boss. You should add at least three to four cichlids at a time to reduce aggression.

 

[Soaup]

I did, all three were put in the same time. Sorry if i didnt explain that correctly. My question is that the auratus are very aggressive and one male should be grouped with a few females so why is the male getting beat on if he is the aggressor of the group? What should i do. Keep him in there move him out?

 

[Ferris]

That's just typical Auratus behaviour i'm afraid, wonderful fish but very aggressive. Don't expect the male to always be the aggressor with Mbuna, especially the more aggressive species, they are very unpredictable.

You have 3 options....

1. Leave things as they are, let them establish a hierarchy and hope things settle down.

2. Remove the male and hope the aggressive female doesn't move on to one of the other females.

3. Re-home all of them in a larger tank, at least a 40 gal is reccommended for Mbuna but a 55 gal is prefferable for the more aggressive species like Auratus. Given enough space for territories, Mbuna will co-habit quite happily.

Hope this helps

 

[Soaup]

I think thats what i might do i might re arange the tank and hope they settle down.

 

[fish_r_great]

Also if the tank is only a 20 gallon that isn't big enough for Auratus cause they are Pretty Aggressive.