2 male Severums living together for little over a year now both around 7-8 inches. Suddenly after a water change one of the males is being extremely aggressive I didnt notice that he had torn most of the fins from the slightly larger severum? he wont leave him alone just keeps chasing him and trying to grab his fins by the mouth and yanking. Any reason as to why this would happen out of nowhere? just 1 hour ago they were swimming side by side and I've never even seen them peck at each other. Any ideas on what I should do?
Male Severum sudden aggression
- Thread starter AquariumHabit
- Start date
I'd take the aggressive fish out, rearrange the decorations, and put him back in after about a week.
Very common with cichlids, as they grow their personality can completely change. Usually once it changes it's changed for good ime, and 2 males of any cichlid alone in a tank is bound for one to get bullied eventually 99% of the time. I think chances are even if you remove the other one and put it back, the alpha doesn't want to share anymore. I would sell the one severum. Maybe in a large enough tank like a 125 plus, you could try adding a couple females instead.
They currently are in a 125 gallon tank for the past year with no issues. I was planning on putting them in a 180 gallon aquarium within the next month (I have a thread up regarding sump building for that tank). I put an egg crate in the middle to split the 125g before bed and it seems like it got knocked down it the middle of night. They were swimming side by side again but the "Aggressive" severum seems to always be staring him down, for some reason light seems to affect his mood , lights on he chases him , lights off he leaves him alone.
It's common for cichlid reaching adolescent to change from peaceful/schooling to aggressive/territorial behavior in preparation to claim female. Having two males in one tank will lead to clash and bully of the weaker one. But if you have 3 or more males, harmony can be achieved with mild temper Severum by diffusing the aggression.
I have experienced a few times that light on and light off can reverse the pecking order or stop fighting altogether. I have experienced light on triggered Fish A to attack Fish B, and light off, Fish B attack Fish A as if there were a flip switch to turn on aggression on command. I don't know the reason why but suspect fish see their rivals differently, more or less threatening, under different lighting.
I have experienced a few times that light on and light off can reverse the pecking order or stop fighting altogether. I have experienced light on triggered Fish A to attack Fish B, and light off, Fish B attack Fish A as if there were a flip switch to turn on aggression on command. I don't know the reason why but suspect fish see their rivals differently, more or less threatening, under different lighting.
Thanks , So like a few members have stated best thing to do is separate them. I am thinking of separating them until I set up my 180 gallon and then see how things go if they still cant get along looks like they have to stay separated for good.
In the 180, if you add more severums or similar looking cichlids, that will increase the chances of success. "Territorial fish life goal #1" is defending territory against other males, so it's only natural for him to attack the only other male in the tank. Adding other severums will distract him, so all of them get bullied a little bit, but nobody individually too bad.
good question- adding more males will distribute the aggression without chance of pairs forming. Adding more females will also distribute aggression, but introduces possibility of pairs. Pairs can be much more territorial and change the dynamics of the tank. Honestly I would say you can add either male or female, but if you add females, be prepared for a pair. A pair of severums should be able to live in a 180 with other fish though, so not the worst thing.