so I recently got a new chocolate cichlid that is about 5-6 inches and my geophagus brasiliensis which is 4 inches is chasing him round the tank constantly and attacking him. What should I do, the brasiliensis has done this before with new fish but he hasn’t been this mean before and the chocolate doesn’t seem to be fighting back. Any suggestions on what to do.
Chocolate Cichlid being bullied
- Thread starter Bertie07
- Start date
Geophagus brasiliensis are mostly aggressive fish in my experience and they get worse with age.
If you want a peaceful cichlid community it may be worth re homing it.
For now I would divide them.
Personally I find chocolates much more appealing and peaceful with other fish.
If you want a peaceful cichlid community it may be worth re homing it.
For now I would divide them.
Personally I find chocolates much more appealing and peaceful with other fish.
+1, Brasilliensis are quite aggressive, more so than any other geophagus and most south American cichlids in my experience. What size tank is this, and are there other cichlids or just these two? One thing to try could be to rearrange and add/remove some décor, to trick the geo into thinking it is not in it's home territory.
Also, in creating a cichlid community, adding one fish at a time rarely works. Usually best to add no less than 3 cichlids together, so one doesn't get singled out like is happening to the chocolate.
Also, in creating a cichlid community, adding one fish at a time rarely works. Usually best to add no less than 3 cichlids together, so one doesn't get singled out like is happening to the chocolate.
I’ve found my brasiliensis worked better with centrals like JD’d and nics than severums and geos. But my chocolate is no slouch.
Give it a rearrange and watch closely before rehoming- brasiliensis are beautiful fish- i had a bahia Red. I’ve often considered getting more.
Give it a rearrange and watch closely before rehoming- brasiliensis are beautiful fish- i had a bahia Red. I’ve often considered getting more.
Rearranging the fish tank has never worked for me, even in an 8 foot long tank since the old resident doesn't seem to care about the piece of decor, and it is more about the spot. and full territory. Putting up barriers for blocked sight lines just means that the weaker fish positions itself and doesn't move to stay hidden, which is still stressful to the weaker fish.
The easiest and best thing to do is separate with a barrier or put in a different tank.
The easiest and best thing to do is separate with a barrier or put in a different tank.