Cichlid Aggression

[Charlied81]

I am new with keeping cichlids. I have a tank with all African cichlids and they are all different sizes and I have no problems with them they all live peacefully in there. Now I have a larger tank setup as a Central American tank. These fish sometimes seem to get along but sometimes they all fight with each other. I put a lot of driftwood in and some hiding spots but they don't hide they'd rather chase each other. What would help?

 

[Deadeye]

What species are there?
Overstocking doesn’t work with CAs the way it does Africans. Extra territory can help, but they will naturally get into fights. As long as nobody is getting injured or excessively fighting it shouldn’t be too much to worry about.

 

[Charlied81]

I have a red bay snook, a blackbelt and a redhead cichlid, and a balzani

 

[duanes]

There are many different scenarios that can effect aggression.
For some Central Americans, a certain amount of current is required to stymie excess aggression, if flow across the length of the tank is not maintained, the excess energy these cichlid have may be prone to be exhibited in the form of aggression.
If the water temp is too high, it can bring out aggression.
Some like the Vieja maculicauda (black belt) are are generally more aggressive than others, and any tank under 300 gallons, and especially with others of the genus Vieja.
If another cichlid in the tank is compromised (under stress) the other may tend to eliminate it.
BTW, your Gymnogeophagus balzani, is from southern Brazil where it experiences seasonal cool downs (subtropics) and would begetter off in a tank to itself, not with tropical Central Americans. Although they may look rough and tumble. they are mostly bluff, unlike the others in its tank.
I have kept all the species you mention, and would not combine them in any but a minimum 300 gal tank.


There are many species lumped together as "red head", some more aggressive than others.
I have found V fenestrata to be more aggressive than others (except the most aggressive V.maculacuada. (above photo V. bifasciata)
That is....assuming you mean Vieja, there are also aa number of Geophagines dubbed "red heads" such as the G "red head Tapajos, or the red headed (red hump) G crassilabrus, steindachneri, and/or pelligrini from west of the Andes

 

[Charlied81]

There are many different scenarios that can effect aggression.
For some Central Americans, a certain amount of current is required to stymie excess aggression, if flow across the length of the tank is not maintained, the excess energy these cichlid have may be prone to be exhibited in the form of aggression.
If the water temp is too high, it can bring out aggression.
Some like the Vieja maculicauda (black belt) are are generally more aggressive than others, and any tank under 300 gallons, and especially with others of the genus Vieja.
If another cichlid in the tank is compromised (under stress) the other may tend to eliminate it.
BTW, your Gymnogeophagus balzani, is from southern Brazil where it experiences seasonal cool downs (subtropics) and would begetter off in a tank to itself, not with tropical Central Americans. Although they may look rough and tumble. they are mostly bluff, unlike the others in its tank.
I have kept all the species you mention, and would not combine them in any but a minimum 300 gal tank.
View attachment 1453340
View attachment 1453341
There are many species lumped together as "red head", some more aggressive than others.
I have found V fenestrata to be more aggressive than others (except the most aggressive V.maculacuada. (above photo V. bifasciata)
That is....assuming you mean Vieja, there are also aa number of Geophagines dubbed "red heads" such as the G "red head Tapajos, or the red headed (red hump) G crassilabrus, steindachneri, and/or pelligrini from west of the Andes

I have strong powerheads in the tank but turn them off a lot because they seem happier without them on(plus they blow sand everywhere). I had the temp at 80 but lowered it to 78 last week to see if it helped. I'm not certain if it helped or not? Originally I started out with the bay snook. I looked up good tankmates and it said viejas so that's what I bought. Vieja synspilum and vieja maculicauda. Those two are actually side by side quite often. The geophagus balzani really doesn't fit in and is probably coming out soon. I have them in a 180 but they are all small yet. Maybe 5 inches. Except the snook he's a bit bigger maybe 7 but he's not very aggressive.

 

[duanes]

If they are not adults yet, aggression can usually be minimal.
Its when some size is put on that territoriality and other forms sets in.
I usually see serious aggression begin just beyond 6" (especially Vieja).

 

[Rocksor]

I have a red bay snook, a blackbelt and a redhead cichlid, and a balzani

The black belt will be the most aggressive in that bunch. once it matures, I won't be surprised that it starts to take out all the other fish that are not females. The snook would eventually eat the balzani. The balzani won't last more than a few years when kept above70F all year round.

 

[neutrino]

Agree with all of the above.

The strategy for new world cichlids is definitely a little different from most Africans, also varies according to type. Some are social and can be kept in a community or species group, as long as you don't overcrowd them, and some are more solitary by nature.

 

[Charlied81]

The petina splendida was my first fish. Also my favorite. Also the most mild mannered of the group. Is it recommended that he be the only fish I keep in the tank and find a home for the others?

 

[Charlied81]

Update: I bought a separate tank for my balzani. Also I bought another to go with him and an electric blue acara. My snook, blackbelt, and vieja synspilum have all been getting along good without the balzani. Plus he's in cooler water now.