Aggression scale for south American cichlids.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
W

Wesley M

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 22, 2013
512
1
0
St. George, Utah USA
I just got an 85 galling six footong tank. I have a 7 inch female jack Dempsey but I want more cichlids. Where does my Dempsey fit in a 1to10 aggression scale, let's say 1 is "passive" and 10 is "wants to kill everything". I want my new tank to be down right full of mean ass fish. I've read that my Dempsey has a mean reputation but I want to know exactly how mean. What other fish are going to be meaner? Thanks for the help!
Sent from my EVO using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
I think it varies on the personality of the dempsey. My dempsey isn't aggressive, but territorial. On the other hand I've heard stories of them being quite aggro. In that size tank I'd go with a couple of male convicts, which can be quite mean if that's what your looking for. Firemouths are another option :)

Oh and jds are Central American by the way :thumbsup:
 
Lgw said:
I think it varies on the personality of the dempsey. My dempsey isn't aggressive, but territorial. On the other hand I've heard stories of them being quite aggro. In that size tank I'd go with a couple of male convicts, which can be quite mean if that's what your looking for. Firemouths are another option :)

Oh and jds are Central American by the way :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Agreed...just like with dogs and people, it's not the breed or race specific but the individual within. That said some are more inclined to aggression than others. I have a big Male JD that is very peaceful to all fish but another male JD, he's been the death of one and caused me to surrender 2 more. He owns the tank when push comes to shove but will only shove when pushed first by the other big ones... I have heard they are an aggressive fish but have yet to really see it out of any of mine. They are good fish and quite personable.
Don't get a Convict or a Firemouth...lame. Everyone and their dog has one. Convicts are dirty and raunchy and Firemouths are dainty as a pink doily.

Oh, and to give you a rating based on my experiences JD's are a hard 4.5 on the aggression scale. Jags are a low 6
 
In nature JDs I've seen, live in Mexico (not S America)with sailfin mollies, Astyanx tetras, catfish and Mayan cichlids. Often times a tank full of aggressive cichlids ends up as 1 alive, unless they all grow up together and set up a territorial hierarchy, of course they are exceptions, but on average....
086.jpg
 
Also, although it is true, temperament varies by the individual in fish species, an average can still be produced. For example, if i had a convict that was a 6 and som1 else had 1 convict that was an 8 those two con be averaged together to get a 7. Except instead of 2 were dealing with thousands of individuals.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom