Are solo Cichlids meaner being alone?

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MonitorSpiderCichlid

MonitorSpiderCichlid

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 8, 2011
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Where the Simpsons takes place
Well, I've always wondered is it true keeping a cichlid like a red devil(example), alone in a tank make him meaner? or keeping him with other cichlids make him meaner?
If I have kept a midas in a 125 gallon by himself for 4 months, would it change if I put more cichlids in there? or is it the opposite keeping him with other tank mates make him meaner? I am really interested to know.
 
Cichlids that grow up by themselves will be considerably more aggressive to tank mates than those that grow up in groups, because they see the tank as "their" territory, anything you add later will be considered an intruder. That's why it's recommended that you grow out all of the fish together when planning to set up a community.
 
Solo cichlids would appear meaner because they are more territorial and adapted to living alone, and having their own space, so yes.
 
Without a doubt a loner fish will be much meaner than a fish who has grown with other.

Fish are a lot smarter than people think and therefore more prone to play defense over what they think/see as theirs.

I personally think some fish will smoke other fish just to show you for putting the new fish in there. Where as if the resident fish gets a beating I see it as the new fish thinking that you put them in there to show the other one who is boss.
 
I also agree with what cacichlids said, but why the 4 months? Then what do you plan to do?

Thanks Darren.
 
A solo cichlid added to an established community tank is no meaner than any cichlid raised in a community no matter how much of a glassbanger it is. Whether the introduced solo fish will be alpha in the tank is entirely dependent on the individual fish as well as the current inhabitants willingness (or lack of) to relinquish their place in the pecking order..
 
To add to this I think community fish tend to have fought more. Whereas a solo fish which has only developed a bad attitude towards an owners hand, or the siphon tube, the cat...
 
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