Behaviour

[CICHLID-CRAZY]

Hi guys, I currently have
Flowerhorn -80mm length (unsre of sex)
Dovii x festae -80mm length (unsure of sex)
Red devil - 80mm length (unsure of sex)
And a convict male - 50mm length.

I'm currently raising them all in a 8 ft tank for the time being (potentially most definitely having to seperate later on)
Though I'm currently finding it weird as there is a heirachy within the tank. Flowerhorn, red devil, dovii x festae, convict.
I am finding it weird though as the dovii festae is always swimming alongside the flowerhorn, eating and hiding with it. It isn't fighting with it though. The horn gives chase once in a blue moon but it's like they can't be apart.. Like over cleaned and moved the tankseoerated them while doing so, but he always go back to the same way once re introduced.
I'm stunned as I know they are all aggressive fish.
The horn hates the red devil, but the devil hates the dovii festae. Convict is peaceful but everyone hates him..
But this is all when thy cross paths.
I can't upload a video as yet as my camera is shattered. When I get a new phone, I'll be sure to upload it.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Sounds like they are forming a pair to me. Even if they are same-sex, sometimes cichlids will pair up. If they do breed, fertile or not, they will probably become much more aggressive to the other fish, so I would watch out.

 

[Drstrangelove]

I agree with Gourami Swami on this. Fish behavior when very young (juvenile) can be strikingly different once they mature to the point they can reproduce. Young fish often swim around others instinctively for safety, not because of bonding or affection. E.g., young pacu swim with piranha.

While no one can say with 100% certainty these aren't the exceptions, these are the types of fish that are capable of slaughtering a whole tank after showing little signs of aggression. However it works out, one can hope you identify this before that happens and not after.

 

[CICHLID-CRAZY]

I had the exact same thought about pairing up, but I thought I was crazy. I've had devils pair, and only one other flowerhorn that was placid and first time dovii but his a cross breed. I have thought about the aggressiveness if they do pair, like I said I most likely will have to separate on a later date. (Maybe sooner)

 

[CICHLID-CRAZY]

Yes I agree. I know the tendcies they all have and I watch them constantly. I have thought about for safety also. I like to believe they are smart little rotweillers in a tank. The dovii also makes it seem he goes to the flowerhorn for protection, as he know the devil and him fight. So it's a safe zone and he know he can handle a chase from the horn. Thanks for the input

 

[CICHLID-CRAZY]

I also know from experience that you can we up and they are All gone but one....

 

[Hidan]

With Cichlids, you might have a tank of peaceful killers as the boss of the tank isn't interested in slaughter and keeps the rest of them in check.

If your unsure of sex, post pictures (when you can) and people here can tell you if its male or female, which could help determine whether they are a pair or the Dovii is just using the horn for protection from the devil.
Either ways your tank is large and not very crowded, so you could luck out and they all live peacefully in it. Off course it could be the opposite and they just slaughter each other suddenly (difficult to be sure with such aggressive fish).