Kenyi Turns Gray

[JMatthew]

I have mixed Mbuna tank with a single Kenyi. He is definately the alpha of the tank (though a nice blue Estherae comes in a close second sometimes). He starts out the day a nice bright yellow when I wake them up in the morning, but by the time I go to turn off the lights he has turned an ugly, dingy gray from a full day of bullying. I suppose this is normal, right?

 

[dthoffsett]

That's not really normal, typically that only happens when they are really stressed. Is anyone picking on him or is he doing all the bullying?

 

[JMatthew]

He is doing ALL the bullying. He will commonly pick a cave and chase anyone from it. In fact, because of him I have to put in two cucumbers when I feed them fresh food so that I can put them on the opposite sides of the tank or he will chase everyone else away from the single cucumber.

The Blue Estherae chases everyone except for him (he will chase the Blue Estherae), but not a single Mbuna pursues as far into the tank as he does. I'm watching him right now and most of them are all hanging out together in one part of the tank, while he maintains an entire quarter to himself. Basically doesn't go to the play with the others and if any venture toward his quarter of the tankh e will give them a quick chase. He is also seems to be the only one who takes any notice of the three Synodontis, though normally they can quickly out smart him by simply turning upside down and swimming on the ceiling of the cave he is contesting.

The other fish do not seem particularly stressed with his bullying. They seem to treat him like the big dumb kid on the playground that everyone just pitys and ignores, forgiving his occasional out burst because, "That's just the way he is."

I actaully didn't mean to get a Kenyi when purchasing them - they where are very tiny and his stripes hadn't set in so I mistakened him for another Estherae. All the other cihilids in the tank are Estherae or Yellow Labs. Should I move him on out? If so, I hate being down a fish, but I understand I would need to add more than just a single one. Right now I have 6 Estherae, 3 Yellow Labs, him, 3 Synodontis and a common pleco all in a 4 ft long 55 gallon. I don't really think I should up the fish count from there as it will be at least another year until I upgrade them to a 100 galloon or larger. Guess I'm sort of answering my own question.

I don't know. Anymore thoughts on him?

 

[dthoffsett]

I really think it would be best to remove him. You said the other fish don't seem to be bothered by his bullying, but the fact he has taken a quarter of the tank for himself has to be stressing the other fish. Personally, I would remove the kenyi and add 3-4 more labs as they really do better in larger groups, and you are pretty lightly stocked. I'm willing to bet that you'll have a much more relaxed tank if you do. Just be sure to move around your rockwork/decor before adding fish to break up territories.

Once you upgrade to the 100gal you could keep kenyis as long as you keep at least 4f for 1m.