Buttikoferi Cichlids

[Butti12]

I have 3 Buttikoferi in a 60 gallon aquarium and one of them is 4 inches, the other one is 3 1/2 inches, and the smallest one is 3 inches. The biggest one is constantly chasing the other two buttikoferi all day long and it don't think they will last much longer. I have placed a divider in the tank and put the bully on one side by himself, but the 3 1/2 chases the 3 inch one all day. Does anyone have anything to recommend other than getting another tank? I am thinking of taking the two little ones to a local pet shop and leaving the bully in the 60 gal by himself. What do you guys/gals think?

 

[holidayinn]

never kept butti's but have heard they're similar to CA/SA cichlids in behaviour then African...if it was an aggressive CA, it'd be down to firstly conspecific aggression, they're probably always likely to fight with each other unless kept in a huge tank!

 

[mattlee]

these fish are well known for being aggressive. the best thing to do is to take 2 back and just keep the single specimin. they do get very big so depending on the tanks footprint it may need an upgrade when adult.

its not very common to have these in a com tank so it will possibly be a lone fish in a big tank if thats the way you want to go with it.

stunning fish though.

 

[fishguy2727]

Agreed. Keep the largest and enjoy your one fish aquarium.