INPUT to plan my 180G stocking. Getting it soon! :-)

[petspoiler]

I'm still not entirely clear: whether females only, with NO male present, usually can't stay together.
Does the presence of a male increase f x f competition, for pairing up & breeding rights?

 

[DMD123]

In my experience female cichlids seem the most unpredictable. Ive had them seem to be great community fish and then as if motivated by hormones turn into little monsters for a while and then mellow back out. That is why I look for males because even the most aggressive male seems more predictable than the females.

Even without a male present they also can still lay eggs and become very territorial little monsters who will fight with any other fish in the tank to protect their eggs.