Hi there - I am fairly new to tropical fish keeping, and I have inherited an established tank from a friend who couldn't keep it. The tank came with a female keyhole and we introduced a small male to the tank. They were together for about 6 months, but unfortuantely the female died (of old age). We have bought a new female, but the male is being really territorial and chasing her - seeming to try and nip her. He is bigger than her - she is tiny in comparison, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice about what I should do please? She is hiding and black all over and she looks knackered after he chases her. Help please........
Territorial Introduction - Help Please!
- Thread starter marmot
- Start date
hamfist
Fish Herder
Can always be awkward with cichlids, even "peaceful" ones like keyholes.
First, make sure that the tank is big enough (how big is yours ?) and that there are loads of hiding places for the "chasee" to find some relief.
If that doesn't work, then another method is to remove the aggressor temporarily from the tank for a day or two. Re-arrange the main tank in that fish's absence too.
Once re-introduced, the aggressor is very likely to be feeling much less territorial.
An extra problem is that the new fish is so much smaller thanthe established fish. He will always therefore feel very confident about bossing her about. It's possible that he may never accept her, or may bully her to an early grave.
All you can do is to try what I suggested. Maybe others will chime in with other suggestions.
First, make sure that the tank is big enough (how big is yours ?) and that there are loads of hiding places for the "chasee" to find some relief.
If that doesn't work, then another method is to remove the aggressor temporarily from the tank for a day or two. Re-arrange the main tank in that fish's absence too.
Once re-introduced, the aggressor is very likely to be feeling much less territorial.
An extra problem is that the new fish is so much smaller thanthe established fish. He will always therefore feel very confident about bossing her about. It's possible that he may never accept her, or may bully her to an early grave.
All you can do is to try what I suggested. Maybe others will chime in with other suggestions.
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/330761-dealing-with-aggression-in-your-tank/Thanks for the advice. I have moved the aggressor to our hospital tank and have re-arranged the tank, removing and replacing one of the bigger ornaments (which he thinks is his!). Hopefully this will work. She is considerably smaller than him too - which doesn't help! The tank size is 72 litres, but the aquarium said it should be big enough for a male and a female, but not two males - hence we got the girl. I'll leave him for a few days and re-inroduce him and see how it goes. I'll do it a few times too, just to see if he does calm down. Worse case we have to take her back, or have 2 tanks.....Thanks for your help - I am very grateful.
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