My Red Zebras

[Zukari]

So here is the story, about a year ago I Bought 3 Red Zebras from the LFS...2 yellow ones, and a multi-colored one.

About a week later I noticed the same happy 55 gallon tank, but wait, there were 15+ fry...I didn't really know what to do, but they had taken home in a series of caves and seemed safe, so I decided to leave them be...I also didn't have another tank to let them live in.

After watching the young I noticed something I thought I would never see in the world of our hobby, the young were swimming around with the adults literally untouched.

That was a year ago, now I have about 10 of these little buggers (By little I mean 4+ in inches) swimming around in the tank. I sold some right off at 1 inch, and then couldnt find anyone to sell the rest to...So I let them grow up...Big mistake, the original parent is now literally destroying the other fish, I woke up to see torn fins, and injured fish...even though they all had their own territory. He was building a nest.

So now I don't know what to do, I moved things around - took him out, and put him back in after moving the rocks...same situation. So, uh, help? What can I do to ease his temper?

And just to add, after reading some of the stories I still think it is amazing all of the young lived (Pretty sure they hitched a ride in the parents mouth?)...Sadly I think they are all pairing up into what could be disaster.

Any help would be great!

-Zuk

 

[dthoffsett]

Well, first of all, to my knowledge there are no yellow red zebras. Zebras are generally an orange/red, although males can get a bluish color, or they come the OB variety.
http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1730
http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=2316
http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1729
http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=791

Congrats on the fry surviving, and sorry to hear there are problems now. IMO there could be a couple of factors for why you're experiencing aggression problems.
1. Territory - how much rockwork do you have for them. You could easily have 100lbs of rock or more in a 55gal, and lots of caves will allow them to stake territory without everyone fighting over the same cave.

2. Multiple Males - while zebras (if that is what you have) aren't considered overly aggressive by mbuna standards, if you have multiple males, and few females, that can lead to fighting over not only territory, but breeding rights.

3. Rogue Male - Although not that common, you could simply have a rogue male that has decided all other fish need to be destroyed. However, IMO you would have seen this kind of behavior before now.

My suggestion would be to positively identify what species you have. Then, remove multiple males if necessary, or add additional rock work.

Also, mbuna are mouth brooders, meaning the female incubates the eggs in her mouth, and when they are old enough (usually around 28 days), she spits them, however if threatened she will allow very small fry back in her mouth for safety.

Also, mbuna are harem breeders, where a single male will try to mate with as many females as he can find, therefore they do not "pair off".

Hope I answered a few of your questions, you might consider posting pics of the fish you have, and we can help you positively identify them.

 

[Zukari]

Thanks I have been researching it, I don't want to have to get rid of the fish =/

-Zuk