Firemouth Aggression

[Aquarist123]

Hello everyone. Yesterday I finally stocked my 55g. I got 1 Firemouth, 1 Jack Dempsey, 1 Severum, 1 Blood Parrot, and 6 Platies (counting down till the first platy disappears...). All are juvies 2"-3". I know it's mixed CA/SA but the LFS is very limited.

So today I have been watching the FM become increasingly aggressive. He's not physically hurting the other fish, but just rushes them away. He is taking up the entire corner of the tank, which has caves for at least 2-3 fish. Sometimes he even goes to the other side to bother the JD. The Sev and Parrot are usually free-swimming. The Sev, BRP, and JD are all nice (so far) and social with eachother. I feel bad that 1 fish is being so aggressive toward 3 other friendly ones.

Yeah I know it's only been a day, and as they age, they will all become more aggressive. I think it's a bit werid, the FM is suppose to be the most timid out of the bunch. Should I try exchanging the FM with a smaller, shyer one while I can? Or should I give it a few more days? I'm new to Cichlids and I don't know exactly how they are going to age together. Thanks for any help.

 

[davidefc]

no leave the fm in there hes all talk the others will become aggressive soon and he'll quiten down. GL also we need pics!

 

[Mystix212]

Firemouths dont really attack any fish, so they try and appear scary to fend off other fish. He wont hurt a fly. If you want him to move territories, move the decor around completely thus everyone needs to establish new territories and may give the other fish a chance of occupying one of the lovely caves.

 

[killerfish]

it won't last long your jack dempsy will show it whos boss

 

[Aquarist123]

Ok, I'll try moving some stuff around, and to get some more caves on the other side. I'll see how he is tomorrow.

Will get some pics asap!

 

[Headrush]

Don't underestimate your FM. My Male absolutely HATES the 2 Pleco's I have and they are twice his size. He's taken 2 bites outta the biggest one's dorsal while they fuss over the same hideout. They are mostly bluffers..."display artists"... but will nail somebody from time to time.

I agree tho that the JD will step up and straighten him/her up.

 

[fsubulldogs]

i have two firemouths that pick on my little JD, but wont even go near the big JD. your FM will eventually learn not to mess with the JD. waiting on those pics

 

[Mocha Jive]

My firemouth is a stinker he trys to scare everything all talk no action once the JD gets bigger it will probably put the firemouth in check.

 

[Aquarist123]

(Blurry) Pics are up! Well the the FM stopped running a muck, the Parrot and JD had enough. Here's what happened. The platies in there were dithering quite nicely, that's when the fm was aggressive. Well last night I noticed a platy or 2 had ick. I moved the platies to a QT and I'm treating them now.

I'm debating whether or not I should treat the 55g, because I see no signs of ick on the cichlids. It seemed as though the FM kinda calmed down once the dithers moved out, could that cause the more reluctant behavior? Once I put healthy Platies back in, will he get wild again? Since there were no dithers when I took the pics, all the fish are being reclusive. Well there's my story, If anything weird happens I'll be sure to let you guys know.

 

[sicxspeed]

Nice set up BTW. Your FM looks great for a little guy, almost like breeding dress with all that bright red.