Bit of a Dilemma...

[rrcoolj]

I am at a bit of a crossroads you guys. As many of you know I recently got a new pair of amphilophus lyonsi for my 125. I have been searching for a centerpiece pair for this tank for quite some time and so far I am very happy with the lyonsi. The pair despite some very minor chasing by the male get along well. The female isn't ready to spawn yet but they seem to be enjoying each other's company and tend to follow each other around the tank. My male centrarchus has gotten increasingly aggressive over the last couple months and it become apparent with the addition of the lyonsi. I had to remove him because he was chasing the female up and down the tank and stressing the hell out of my male. With the male centrarchus out of the tank the lyonsi are exploring the tank more. It seems that the female centrarchus is not aggressive enough for the setup. Left alone, she was being chased by every fish in the tank including my little bocourti and nic. Both are now alone in a 29 and seem to be getting ready to spawn soon.

Problem is there is no way I can maintain more than one fish tank at this point and I am fearful of re-introducing the centrarchus back into the 125. I am fearful the male will harass my lyonsi preventing them from wanting to spawn and they he will continue to harass his mate as well. I really do not want to sell my centrarchus pair but they simply will not get along with the rest of the inhabitants. I have thought about adding a third female or male to maybe help curb their aggression. Jeff Rapps has some large ones for sale right now. Would that help? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[CrimsonFog]

Get some nice big dithers that they can chase. Silver Dollars or Red Hooks. They will do wonders.

My $0.02...

 

[fishman09]

if theres chasing and fish that wont get along the likelihood is that they never will and thats the main reason the most fish i have in a single tank is four and once the umbees nut up it will more than likely only be two. all the chasing and aggression was a pain to deal with and frustrating always having to move fish and stuff. i say find the combination that works but honestly those lyonsi would love that tank to themselves

 

[jonclark96]

You could always divide the tank, 2 foot for the centrarchus and 4 foot for the lyonsi.

 

[rrcoolj]

Get some nice big dithers that they can chase. Silver Dollars or Red Hooks. They will do wonders.

My $0.02...

These guys have been housed with everythign from silver dollars to mollies. Target fihs have not worked.

if theres chasing and fish that wont get along the likelihood is that they never will and thats the main reason the most fish i have in a single tank is four and once the umbees nut up it will more than likely only be two. all the chasing and aggression was a pain to deal with and frustrating always having to move fish and stuff. i say find the combination that works but honestly those lyonsi would love that tank to themselves

You nailed it! That is why I sold the pair of hogs I just could not deal with the constant chasing and overall aggression. I have had my centrarchus with an array of fish and he just dosen't know how to chill. It is really frustrating. Long term multiple tanks will not be possible because I will be leaving for college soon. My mom can watch over one tank but just one. So he either has to learn to get along or I have to get rid of him it seems. The lyonsi being as compatible as they are would probably do really well in the 125.

You could always divide the tank, 2 foot for the centrarchus and 4 foot for the lyonsi.

I am afraid with only 2ft of space the male will kill the female or badly injure her.