Keyhole Cichlids Videos On Youtube - Please Watch

[totally tropical]

I have previously been asking for advice on the aggression that one particular keyhole of mine is showing (and in much smaller doses, others - I have 6 in total) and have decided to put on youtube for others to comment on.

Before viewing, please can you read my 2 previous posts regarding my keyhole cichlids as I was advised to take some keyholes back due to the likelihood that deaths may occur. I wanted a second opinion on this and any other input that you may kindly give.

Also I hope that you can verify that the aggressor is indeed male?

The vids are the very first, that I have put on youtube so please forgive my amateurism - will try and put some music on in background in future! I hope the links work, if not you just type in aggressive cichlid and you will find 2 vids titled: aggressive keyhole cichlid part 1 and part 2. You will know that they are the right vids as there are also red line torpedo barbs and koi swordtails among others in the tank.

You can either post your comments on youtube or via this forum as I will keep a check on both.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW6B5Cee6CQ

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv7R6VqkpvE

Thank you.

 

[snowflake311]

That's an alpha male owning the tank. He is not hurting any other fish? Just stressing them out?

He looks great and so does the tank. He is gaurding that area like there are eggs to save. Some times you will get a crazy fish that just likes no one. Have you moved stuff around? You gave him time out of the tank right?

How long has he been like this? It can take a week or longer for cichlids to get along. You could just have a jerk and it looks like you do. I think the other fish would be fine with him once he simmered down. But the other keyholes are being stressed out and that's not good. Do they even come out? I think maybe you have a tank of all males. Because an alpha fish will claim a mates most of the time.

If it's been a month of him doing this then it might never work out. But if this is the first few days of being with the others. Give it time a week is good. After a week and it's still this way. You will have to pick. He is a beauty.

 

[totally tropical]

That's an alpha male owning the tank. He is not hurting any other fish? Just stressing them out?

He looks great and so does the tank. He is gaurding that area like there are eggs to save. Some times you will get a crazy fish that just likes no one. Have you moved stuff around? You gave him time out of the tank right?

How long has he been like this? It can take a week or longer for cichlids to get along. You could just have a jerk and it looks like you do. I think the other fish would be fine with him once he simmered down. But the other keyholes are being stressed out and that's not good. Do they even come out? I think maybe you have a tank of all males. Because an alpha fish will claim a mates most of the time.

If it's been a month of him doing this then it might never work out. But if this is the first few days of being with the others. Give it time a week is good. After a week and it's still this way. You will have to pick. He is a beauty.

Thank you so much for your very kind comments.

To answer your questions, I have not noticed him hurting other fish, just scaring away. I did move a piece of wood the other way round - that's it! Don't know if this would be such a catalyst for the behaviour it is showing? The keyhole in question has been like this for 3 days now, though it has grown up together with the other 5 since they were very small so it is not a new addition.

The other cichlids do come out on occasion and the odd one even challenges the main aggressor, but soon scuttles off! I have not gave him time out of the tank as unfortunately I do not have a spare until I move house which should be shortly. I only have a breeding net, which would not be ideal as a time out, I would imagine?

I will video the other keyhole cichlids soon and maybe you or anybody else maybe able to identify the sex of the others? I know how to, but I still find that I am not 100% sure. If they are all male, I have been pretty unlucky as I planned to breed once a pair has formed.

 

[snowflake311]

If has only been 3 days wait till they settle in. Yes it would be unlikey if they were all male. In a week thinks should be better. If after a weeks goes by and it's still bad your could move LOTs of stuff around and put mr grumpy pants in a bag or container and just float him for a few hours. This way the other fish will have time To destress. After the other fish seem to be happy and swimmig around then add mr grumpy pants back in. This should help him be less of a bully since he will be like the new guy.

This could help but it might not. I say wait a little longer things should simmer down in a week.

 

[roadmaster]

Appears to be a male perhaps staking out a suitable place to display for a prospective female.
I might try placing a flat stone or piece of slate off to one corner of the aqaurium and see if the fish does not move to defend that area rather than front and center of the aquarium. Might also consider placing some upturned clay flower pots in different areas as well to provide shelter for the other fish should spawning activity take place.
Have seen even mild mannered cichlids become quite territorial when other fish invade a spot the fish may have selected for attracting a female.
So long as fish is not causing physical damage to others ,I would expect that the fish are doing what fish do. Do try placing some flat stones as mentioned. If it is spawning behaivor,, I would expect the fish to claim the corner of the tank if suitable stone for eggs to be deposited on is placed there.
If spawning does not take place and aggression becomes worse, I would consider turning down the temp of tank. I noticed platys,and swordtails along with the bolivian rams. They often appreciate cooler water than say mollies or guppies. Cooler water may help stifle the unwanted activity if it becomes worse.
Other than that,, Separating the fish may be last resort.

 

[GShorty1981]

You just own far to many.

 

[totally tropical]

You just own far to many.

Hi, yes - am certainly not disputing that I own to many (bought them when they were very small). If I can get a pair to bond then I will be taking back 4 (selling), so am now planning on reducing numbers.

 

[snowflake311]

Yes bring the temp down. That's a good idea my fish are much more mild manner wheni keep the temp at 73-75f.

How are things now? Any fish checking him out? Any a little females watching him ? Is he showing any interest in any of the other fish? Like showing off to them?

How long have you had them?? Because honestly at this size they are you should have a pair. My blue acaras paired up when they were 2" and I only had them for 2 months. But blue acaras are horny fish.