Did my regular water change on my 48 x 21 x 21 tank with a pair of dovii cichlids. The male is between 5 to 6 Inches and the female is 6 inches. Went to sleep for two hours and when I checked on my tank, I saw a helpless female near the surface avoiding the attacks. I placed 2 zebra cichlids to distract the male, but he ignored the other fish. I installed a divider and got her out. She is bruised, but is right now doing well. The pair was doing well for almost three weeks now, until this happened, could the water change have triggered the males aggression ?.
A Two Hour Thrashing after a Water Change
- Thread starter qguy
- Start date
They get pissed because of the new conditions. Well that's my theory, but it seems pretty realistic.
Backtracking, I realized that I may have changed a larger volume of water from my normal volume. Prior to this, I just put the hose in the tank and let it run for ten minutes and at the same time I turn on the drain pump. Yesterday, I relocated my garden hose and cut a 1.5 meter section of the hose which had 2 areas where the hose would bend and restrict water flow. After this fix, i did the usual ten minute water change, but since the water flow improved I may have change a far larger volume. next time I will do a 5 minute water change and see how the male reacts.
i always think they feel better after a water change.. mine eat better etc.. seemed to have more vitality... thats why he probably felt his oats!
The large water change is like a strong rain, and is a cue for spawning. Your female just wasn't ready.
In nature many Dempseys live in stagnant pools, water changes are like fresh air, and are a good thing.
In nature many Dempseys live in stagnant pools, water changes are like fresh air, and are a good thing.
I joined the female a couple of days ago, very little fighting was observed, I did a 5 percent water change after 12 hours as there was a dead feeder fish in the sump.. a few seconds later both male and female went berzerk, it was an even fight for a while, but the more aggressive male got the better of the female and the female was just running away. I separated them again and joined them next day.. back to normal for now....
Till the next water change
Till the next water change
Whenever I do wc, I tend to move stuff around so I can do a thorough water change and shortly after my cichlids would get aggressive.. so i assumed they were being territorial & had to re claim their territory.
PufferFace;3687896; said:
Altough that is true, that wouldnt really apply in this situation where theres only a male and female of the same species?! I reckon hes being overly aggressive to the female to initiate breeding activities!!
Would you try add a different species of male cichlid to the tank a couple of days before you perform your w/c? When you finish completing your w/c, maybe the dovii male will fight with the other male to try 'win' the female!!! You then remove the other male and the Dovii might try and protect the female rather than bully her?? Just an idea!!