Constant Chasing....Possible Babies.....Help

[Faythee]

I started out with 3 Yellow Labs, 1 Lelupi, and 1 Calvus.

The male Lab was pestering the other 2 terribly to the point that one was hanging out up top behind the filter tube. She has a lump under her chin and I think she may be holding as I seen them both digging a hole in one corner. Never seen eggs, but could have moved to a cave.

I read that more stocking is better to lessen aggression so I went yesterday and picked up 2 more Labs, a Peacock, and a Brichardi. I now have 9 fish in there. The Labs are all chasing and it appears 2 in particular are being bullied. Now the Lelupi has joined in chasing the Peacock and Labs. Calvus and Brichardi keep to themselves. Is this normal ? Will they calm down ?

 

[dthoffsett]

You've got quite a mix of fish, what size tank are you keeping them in?

Typically with mbuna you overstock to avoid aggression, labs are best kept in groups of 5 or more. Lake Tanganikya species (the calvus, brichardi, & lelupi) I don't know much about though I believe the lelupi can be aggressive. The peacock is a more peaceful hap from Lake Malawi, though they usually mix ok with labs.

Some of the problem you are probably having is that the adults you already have in the tank are feeling threatend by the newcomers and so are attacking. Did you move around all your rocks/decor before adding the new fish to break up territories? That would be my suggestion.

 

[Faythee]

They are in a 56 U.S. gallon cube tank. I have 5 Labs. It has calmed down a bit as of tonight. The Peacock, Calvus, and Brichardi are pretty peaceful. I did redecorate the tank but they are not using them and out in the open as if on purpose except for the calvus, he likes the caves. If it doesn't get better I suppose I can move or re-home the Labs and Lelupi. I have a friend who keeps this mix successfully.....but we know how Cichlids are. I'm frustrated and was trying to catch a couple of them to move into a temp. 29 gal. and they are fast little boogers. Thanks