Heavily stocked african tank = hungrier fish??

[PatrickTheArowana]

I recently maxed out my 125 with some large and small Mbunas.From then on I noticed that all of the old and new fish are coming to the front of the tank and following me around when I pass by.I have seen this before with some of my other friends african tanks,but I thought it was because they only fed the once a day.My fish never displayed this type of behavior before until they were in larger numbers.

So my question is,are the fish aware that there are more of them,and there fore are competing for food and attention??

 

[mike dunagan]

Mine always beg!!!!!

 

[Red Devil]

i do not know the answer..but don't you love the attention..

 

[cichlids _killer]

I recently maxed out my 125 with some large and small Mbunas.From then on I noticed that all of the old and new fish are coming to the front of the tank and following me around when I pass by.I have seen this before with some of my other friends african tanks,but I thought it was because they only fed the once a day.My fish never displayed this type of behavior before until they were in larger numbers.

So my question is,are the fish aware that there are more of them,and there fore are competing for food and attention??

i dunno either man...

 

[bucyouup68]

Mine do it too, i believe it is normal. I feed them Pellets in the morning, and Afternoon, and Spiralina in the evening.

 

[NewETown]

It's possible that your fish are feeling more comfortable with more of their buddies in the tank and have less qualms about "following" you around the room knowing that you feed them? I've always noticed that the fish in my tank will do that immediately after i feed them (a lot haha)...

 

[gswarri0rfan]

I think african cichlids are very social fish. Even with the presence of aggression, they love being in large groups. Even though my tangs are not the same species, it seems like they school because all of them are either on one side or the other side of the tank. I agree, I do not worry about their health when their hungry.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

sounds normal, and as the other poster said, it has to do with their feeling more confident in numbers, similar to the effect dithers have on other fish, makes them feel safe

 

[Muske]

Sounds like my tank... Someone is always on the move for food.

 

[PatrickTheArowana]

Yeah,thanks guys for all the helpful info.I knew africans did this,I just thought it was wierd that my fish didn't display this type of behavior until I loaded the tank with lots of buddies.