Help with Nicaraguan Cichlid

[Sidney73]

I have a 90 gallon and added a NC a couple months ago. He was the most mild fish. All of a sudden he tripled in size and became the tank as*hole. He guards 2/3 of the tank like it's his and even attacks my CL and rainbow fish. I really love him - he looks like he's going to be a real beauty full grown but I'm seriously thinking of taking him back... :/ Advice?

I also have an EBJD, Uaru, 2 sevs and a fire mouth. The Uaru was tank boss for a while but he's even deferred to the NC...

 

[Rocksor]

If you don't like the aggression, rehome him (I'm assuming getting a larger 6 ft tank is out of the question). You really can't change their personality.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Sounds like a charmer. Pics?

Its tough choosing between fish. I have a midevil, flowerhorn, and JD that refuse to cooperate with any other tankmates but i cant find it in my heart to trade any of them away. So for now i just run four different tanks.

 

[duanes]

Many Central American cichlids are on an entirely different/heightened aggression level and territorial sense than the much more mild mannered and communal South American species.
A 90 gal, unless it is a 90 long (6ft) does not provide enough footprint for even a mild mannered central American like nicaraguense to share with other cichlids, especially a male coming into, and asserting its obvious growing alpha-ness, and especially those that it feels it must compete for floor space with.
And even though the EBJD would be called North (ie Central) American (Mexico) by some, it is really a man induced species that has had its true central aggressiveness more, or less bred out of it, so "not" a good comparator.

 

[Sidney73]

Just noticed these responses - thank you! So, I'd like to get a 180 at some point, but I just am getting used to having a big tank. I was going to put it off for a year or so when everyone starts to get uncomfortably big... lol! I'm starting a 55 gallon on Friday that's eventually going to be a calm tank, angels, tetras, frogs. Maybe I can stick "Dusty" (the NC) in there once it's cycled for a little timeout, and give him one more chance?