I could not find a suitable owner for my F1 male Red Isletas & came to the realization of what an amazing fish I had. So I decided I would give him a 75 gallon aquarium all to himself, I decorated the tank the way I see most midas tanks done with flat gravel and a large flower pot. Now the problem that I have is most of my years keeping cichlids I have never dealt with a fish that rams the glass when I go near the tank and that all out attacks me when I do water changes, he is smart enough to see that attacking the vacuum gets him nowhere so he tries to actually bite my hand at the top of the water. I really want to keep this fish and give him a good home and raise him out I just cant deal with how aggressive he is, what can I do to chill him out especially during water changes?
Need Help!
- Thread starter Canibull2000
- Start date
Awsome looking fish! I wouldn't be able to get rid of him either. What happens when a fish views it's terratorial boundries byond the confines of it's aquarium you have what is refered to as a glass banger. My male RD clames and area about 6ft byond the tank and anyone in that area is attacked with a loud thud as he hits the glass. Gotta love Amphilophus!!!
I should have added you could drop the water down to 78 but really you would need a larger tank to mellow him out. He is what he is, an awsome fish enjoy the rage.
I should have added you could drop the water down to 78 but really you would need a larger tank to mellow him out. He is what he is, an awsome fish enjoy the rage.
He is a big boy! Let him be what he is. I really don't know what else would calm him down other than a drop in temp. The "Glass Banger" behavior is part of the charm that others that keep this species appreciate. I think adding a female would most likely make him worse especially during breeding. I don't know if your tank is the right size for a full grown pair either, I could be wrong though. Regardless, you have a nice fish.
Beautiful specimen!!! Get yourself some eggcrate and divide your tank off while cleaning it and enjoy this monster.
that's an interesting question - most people worry about aggression towards other fish and not their hands 
A longer vacuum tube maybe?
btw that's an awesome fish!!
A longer vacuum tube maybe?btw that's an awesome fish!!
Just get yourself a nice thick pair of rubber gloves. I use to just flick my old carpintis in the lip when he woud go after my hands. Worked for a little but then he challanged me and bit my pinky hard! Embrace the glass bangers. Wear gloves and let him go nuts on your hands, You wont feel a thing.
