big cichlid view on little cichlids

[bbortko]

I have had fish tanks for well over a decade now but since I keep my fish for their life I haven't had many cichlids. I had a 10" blood parrot that couldn't have been friendlier to kribs or geo tapajos but completely abhorred a 10" pike. Now I have a 5" Nic that is alwaysstarting stuff with a 6" EBJD and 6" Sev, but could care less about my 4" geo iporangensis. It sort of reminds me of a German Shepard I had that would let a yorkie nip at him but has tried to attack a horse. Is it normal for cichlids to be more aggressive to to others that pose a bigger threat?

 

[mike b]

Im going to say yes they always seem to go after the ones that are the same size or larger I guess its some kind of alpha thing for dominance since the smaller fish poses no threat they are left alone

 

[Amphilophus88]

I made a thread about my 13 inch Amphilopus Amarillo who hated my 12 inch Blackbelt and 12 inch Midas. My tank was a complete warzone, the Midas got killed and I give the Blackbelt his own tank. Now the Amarillo lives with Green Terrors, Jack Dempeys and convicts. The biggest Jack Dempseys is 8-9 inch, and the tank is very peaceful.

So yes I believe in some cases this is true.

I saw the same behaviour with my Midas, he also hated my Blackbelt and ignored the others.