Malawi eye biter dominating 125 gallon

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Wildcat157

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Aug 2, 2019
187
157
61
NY
I have 125 gallon setup with mbunas. I added three juvenile Milawi eyebiters afterwards.

One of the Milawi eyebiters appears male with a blue sheen and has grown significantly larger than the other two. I do not see any mating behavior.

My issue is that the larger Milawi eyebiter is taking over 4 feet of the six foot aquarium.

All my mbunas and two smaller eyebiters are congregated in the last 2 ft to one end of the aquarium and won't dare cross over a certain line or the larger eyebiter swoops in and makes an aggressive turning action and beats them back.

I was under the impression that mbunas were more aggressive and tougher than the eyebiter? I read that the eye biter is supposed to be just semi aggressive?

Has anyone had experience with an aggressive eye bitter?

Is this out of character for their normal profile?

I do have cichlid Stones all over the tank and plastic plants breaking up lines of sight however it doesn't seem to be working.

I thought about rehoming the eye biter versus putting in a more aggressive fish to perhaps put him in his place?

I also considered removing him putting him into one of my other aquariums for a period of time and then trying to reintroduce him after a while.

Does anyone think that would work?

Thanks.
 
Making an elevated rockscape should help. The Mbuna must have plenty of retreats & shouldn't be bothered by a boisterous Hap.
A colored up male Eye biter should be the goal. Rehoming the subordinate Eye Biters might be a better move.
I keep predator Haps, Peacocks & Mbuna in a mixed community. No unusual problems, probably due to the XL rockscape.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Red Cichlids
How many fish do you have in the tank? You may be under stocked as well
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com