Balance of Power has Shifted

[ragin_cajun]

I have 6-7 inch Lyonsi, 6-7 inch Synspilum, a 4 inch JD in a 125. Got the Lyonsi 3 months ago, he was 4 inches, totally cool. The Synspilum was the boss, since it was bigger and it was here first. Never any fights, all the fish in the tank were happy, eating alot, growing, always out and about. Until today. I didn't see exactly what happened, but I heard it a few times today and once yesterday. Yesterday, the Synspilum did something, the Lyonsi jumped and hit the lid, and apparently decided he was too old for that. Today, the Lyonsi has been terrorizing the Synspilum. Syn won't come out from under this castle in the tank, Lyonsi dug a big hole under a log right by the castle and just lays in there and waits. Syn comes out, Lyonsi chases him back in. JD is on the other side of the tank in a log, flies out and hits a pellet, goes right back in the log. When I went to bed last night, the Syn was in charge. Sometime today, the Lyonsi took over, and all 3 of the "bigger" fish just stay in a hiding. Only fish swimming around now are the Clown Loaches.

 

[drummerboy1248]

As the tank turns, eh? I've seen power swings, but usually have some sort of hint a coup is in the works. Seen it in kenneled hunting dog packs too.

 

[cichlidfish]

That has happened in my tank recently. My syn who is the largest fish was the boss, but now my 8'' JD is chasing the syn. Nothing bad, but it used to be the other way around. My JD also chases my male p. loisellie who is the same size.

 

[pckts]

Yup, tank supremacy is a fickle thing. Pretty much the same with any animal, just like people. Some people can only take crap for so long before they snap, same goes with animals or fish from time to time.

 

[fug202]

I've had a similar experience with a Blackbelt and JD. The JD was dominant until the inevitable transfer of power occurred once the BB outgrew him. Initially the JD retreated and went completely pale, but after a week or so his colors returned and there was little aggression between the two. The new pecking order just had to be worked out.

I'm curious if I'll experience a similar situation to yours' with my synspilum (5") and male lyonsi (5") in a 210 gal CA community. Right now the syn dominates (in a benevolent sort of way), but the lyonsi is coloring up and starting to dig. Right now his biggest challenger is a bocourti of similar size. They spar frequently, and the bocourti currently has the upper hand.

 

[ragin_cajun]

I'm just glad I got a Lyonsi. I almost got a trimac, figured I didn't wanna push my luck in such a narrow tank. If your Lyonsi does the same thing in your tank, let us know. I've heard Lyonsi were pretty meek, but I don't know.


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[fug202]

I'm just glad I got a Lyonsi. I almost got a trimac, figured I didn't wanna push my luck in such a narrow tank. If your Lyonsi does the same thing in your tank, let us know. I've heard Lyonsi were pretty meek, but I don't know.

Overall I'd say mine are pretty mild tempered. The four I have chase each other around now and again (that will likely escalate as they mature), but no serious damage results. Most of the time they mind their own business, and fights are mostly bluffs. I'm really enjoying them in the tank, especially as their colors/markings start to take on the mature form. Here are some pics of the largest male, starting with the how he looked a year ago when I got him from Rapps. The other two pics are recent.

 

[ragin_cajun]

I've never had fish breed. Could that be what this is? Lyonsi used to be very free swimming, since this happened, he just lays on the bottom digging holes. He acts very skittish, too. The Synspilum quit coming out from under the castle, won't even try it. It's a very different tank all of a sudden. Maybe the Lyonsi and Syn are different sex, this is all just typical breeding behavior, and I'm too inexperienced to recognize it for what it is?