Why Aren't Cichlids Hard Anymore?

[ZoddyZod]

An article asking why some cichlids seem to not live up to their fearsome reputation.

I wonder if any of you have found similar in your experience?

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=5024

 

[ian]

love Nathan Hill, he's a great writer, and all round top bloke. He certainly knows his stuff regarding fish.

 

[minnnt]

Ian had an experience with a female cac that rather contradicts the report. LMAO!!!

 

[ian]

very true...although they were wild caught. They started off lovely and the first spawn was fine, the fry did disappear. The on the second spawn she went mental and i mean mental, i witnessed her ripping green neon's to bits. I have kept fish for a while and have kept Rams and Kribs, but never had behaviour like this.

 

[simonas]

true and not as b ig I think the firemouths Ive seen look terrible I recently got some decent ones that are i my big tank but they dont look as dark and as big or flare up like the ones I had as a kid

 

[shrimply]

It's not exactly surprising, there are many reduced selection pressures in captivity. But selection for correlated traits can push things a lot faster too, if for instance there is a negative link between colour and aggression.

Reduced aggressiveness is a common domestication syndrome.

And since boldness and aggression tend to be correlated together in syndromes a decrease in boldness is predicted with a decrease in aggression.
And these "personality traits" occur across a spectrum.

 

[ZoddyZod]

I've only ever had the one wild caught cichlid - the apparently mild mannered Dwarf Flag Acara.

Spent a few happy months in the tank, and one day took a massive dislike to an angel. Had to be removed and returned.

 

[minnnt]

The worst fish i have atm is a male Platy. My Apisto's, Pelvicachromis and even all my Malawi's are great!

 

[ian]

Sorry I meant to say mine weren't wild caught.

I must have had a one off!

 

[coldcazzie]

The worst fish i have atm is a male Platy. My Apisto's, Pelvicachromis and even all my Malawi's are great!

Poor Two Spot

 

[minnnt]

The worst fish i have atm is a male Platy. My Apisto's, Pelvicachromis and even all my Malawi's are great!

Poor Two Spot

Yeah i know.

 

[james_fish]

My Keyhole's wouldn't hurt a fly (not literally) but then again Keyhole's are known for their availability as to be kept in a community aquarium.

Edit: a good little article

James.

 

[james_fish]

It would be interesting to see his views on the Texas Cichlid, because they are sometimes known for being the biggest baddest cat's in the tank!

Plus, interesting how he didn't refer to any Old World species.

James.

 

[snowflake311]

When many many generation are bred in captivity that's the start of domestication. Humans are selectively breeding fish for color and fins mainly. So all other things that wild fish look for in a mate no longer matter. So what the fish needs to survive in the wild is no longer needed or bred for. These fish don't need to be the strongest they don't need to win a mate.

Tank raised fish are differant from there wild cousins. It makes sense domestication of aquatic fish is happening. That's all it is.

I have had cichlids kill each other.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

While not cichlids, I find it curious how Butterfly Goodeids (Ameca splendens) have got increasingly aggressive in the hobby over the years.

My West African cichlids have not forgotten their "well 'ard" roots, killing tankmates; eating tankmates whole (siblings and other species); eating tankmates alive; wife-beating; creeping up on much larger tankmates and nipping them for no good reason etc. Yet these same fish can be model community citizens amongst fragile little Microsynodontis!