male kennyi cichlid

[Shoe]

I have 4 female kenyi cichlids 1 male and 2 red zebra's. I've read that the male is usually the bully but my four female have terrarized him so much i had to move him to my community tank. ( He is recovering nicely and is causing no trouble).

My cichlids are only an inch and a quarter in length. They currently are in a 15 gallon until they grow larger and are moved into a MUCH bigger tank.

Anyone have any ideas why?

 

[glolite]

The females obviously wore the trousers in that tank then!

No seriously, I don't think it necessarily has to be the male that's aggressive, females can be right old bags too. This is a pure guess but maybe they are better off in pairs rather than more females to male ratio. I'm sure someone with experience in keeping cichlids will reply soon with a positive answer. Good luck

 

[freddyk]

So the four females are blue and the male is yellow right? I don't mean to doubt you, but it's good to be sure - this situation is certainly a little backwards.

These fish are very, very aggressive mbuna, and 15 gallons is much to small for mature kenyi - if the male has turned yellow then they are mature. IMO leave the male seperate until you get the bigger tank, and get that bigger tank ASAP.

These are not pairing fish, you have the right idea of stocking several females with your male.

 

[fufanu360]

i woulld say that the 15 gallons is your problem, biologically its not a problem, but physically for the africans sake it is, they are super territorial and would like 15 gallons to THEMSELVES

 

[vantgE]

if their small enough to fit in a 15 g they are still small enough to change colors both my males only started changeing at over 2 inches.