JD super aggressive

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dontgetbit

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 14, 2009
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Raleigh, NC
In the past week my JD has become really aggressive and pushes around anything that gets in his way. First it was a 3" Giant Danio that he took out last weekend, then he bullied around a 6" Senegal Bichir until I took him out of the tank they were both in. I thought he would calm down now that he is in a 55 gal, the JD is maybe 4". Well tonight I picked up a 3" Firemouth to finish my stock for the 55 and so far the JD is trying to show who is boss. Its mostly just chasing around but he is biting at the FM.

I'm completely new to cichlids. Is this normal for them to show so much aggression at a young age? I know JD's are mean but this one is just ruthless. I plan to add some additional caves this weekend and hope it will help.
 
yes, its normal. JDs are aggressive somewhat. More caves, a bunch of tetras/dannios or other dithers would help. some fake plants or other things that break up the territory...or you could get a fish bigger than him that doesnt grow too big for the tank. that would back him off Ill bet. A cuban possibly, some bigger convicts to name a few.
 
yeah my did that, i had a GT pair and cubans with him to begin with that were dominant to him so he was really passive but when i took them out of the tank he thought he could get away with whatever he wanted so was picking on all the other fish including a robertsoni thats 3x his size, but now the robertsoni is finally asserting his dominance again and JD is back in check (though not quite as passive as before, he still chases the smaller cichlids but nothing to serious), if you put lots of sight breaks in the tank with well placed deco that should help and make sure to have plenty of dither fish since it sounds like you may have a particularly aggressive specimen
 
I have about 5 plants spread throughout for cover, 2 caves, and a piece of driftwood that is like a cave. Also have a school of 6 Buenos Aires Tetras, but the JD does not bother them. He backs down from the pleco but he is catching up with him in size. I hope its just his way of showing the FM he is boss and it settles down with time.

I will definately add some additional caves when I swap out my substrate soon.
 
usually if they have a place to call "home". Like a pot, pvc, rock or wood. They will chase other fish away from it, but quickly go back.

Some are more pushy than others and he might not feel like he can push the other fish far enough away. LOL
 
The JD is actively hunting the FM. He was staying down on one end in his cave but that changed. I hope the FM does not get over stressed, I'd really like to keep him.

I rearanged the driftwood during my water change earlier and formed a new cave. Maybe this will help but I think the JD is just mean.
 
The second attempt to let the JD and FM share the tank failed. They did ok for about an hour, the FM even stood up to the JD. Then later FM was hiding in the corner until I put the separator back up.

Now I guess my options are trade the FM for a different fish/pair of fish (maybe a pair of Cons or 3 Silver Dollars)or sell the FM and the let the JD be the only sizable in the tank.

I also noticed this morning that one of the tetras is missing part of his tail. Either the school had some issues or the JD struck in the night.
 
yeah sorry it seems like you may just have the random killer JD
 
may jd is mean to everything
besides my cat but its huge compared to her
 
The problem is that you have 2 fish in there and the JD wants the territory. Put 5 or so bigger cichlids than the JD in there and it will stop. Then, as they grow, remove the problem fish or the ones that are getting too big or upsize the tank and keep them all.

As long as you have adequate filtration, Cubans, Convicts, Neets, Carpintis, female Cyanno or something along those lines that is tenacious, will stand its ground and wont outgrow the tank will work. Firemouths arent, IME, that aggressive (neither are any JDs Ive had either). Just keep in mind my suggestion isnt for the tank for life. You will eventually need to upgrade or remove several of the fish as they get bigger.

If you need help with all this, go see Adam @ Fish World in Raleigh. He can solve the problem for you with ease...and if they dont have any of the aforementioned fish I suggested, PM me. I have several between 2-5 inches that Id sell you...or maybe give you.
 
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