High protein vs aggression

[Ruturaj]

I have been thinking, cichlids or most other fish get aggressive when in breeding more. High temperature being one of the key element here, that plays a major role, increasing aggressiveness (and color in few cases) as temperature gets higher. I have been wondering how much high protein diet plays role in that? As I have heard females laying more eggs on high protein pellets, or blood worms (which are high in protein) triggering breeding. Just curious about your experiences, theories, thoughts.

Thanks,
Ruturaj

 

[Deadeye]

When I am feeding high protein foods, I’ve noticed that the feeding response is far more aggressive in some of my otherwise laid back cichlids. I removed the heater a few months ago, making a drop from 86 to 74. Aggression hasn’t dropped dramatically, but there was definitely a decrease in overall attacks (still the regular turf wars though).
I would think that by feeding high protein foods, the cichlids would enter more of a predator mode, and therefore show more open aggression due to viewing others as a potential food source. I haven’t done any research to prove this.

 

[Rocksor]

I don't think it's a matter of high protein, just a matter of type of food preference by the fish. I don't get more of a feeding response from catfish or piscivores or ominvores among different types of pellets (eg. NLS algaemax vs Northfin carnivore). I actually have a piscivore who prefers the algaemax pellet. Some fish fight for freeze dried krill, while one of the same fish don't fight as much over earthworms or moving insects (like crickets). Pieces of silversides may elicit more of a response from 2 of my fish, but the 4th who would fight over krill, will be the same fish who barely makes an effort for a piece of silverside.

 

[duanes]

Some of the most aggressive cichlids are vegetarian, or at least those where most of their diet is vegetarian.
Those African cichlids that cultivate and defend farms of algae from other fish.
And I have found that new world cichlids like Maskaheros argentea and regani and some Vieja like maculacauda to be quite aggressive, and in nature they are often detrivores, algae, fruit, and vegetation eaters.
And to me...pound for pound "the" most aggressive Central American cichlid might be Neetroplus nematopus, which is predominantly an algae scraper.

 

[FINWIN]

Interesting topic...can't say for sure, but my own fish do seem more aggressive when eating 'meat'. They get fiesty and fight/scuffle for about an hour then settle down. When they eat pellets they don't behave any differently.