Problems between h. deppi and a. robertsoni

[cichlidfish]

I have a 8''+ female robertsoni and a 7'' male h. deppi in my 150g, and I am having some trouble w/ the h. deppi trying to kill the robertsoni. He isn't aggressive to any other tank mates, and was wondering if this is because he was trying to mate w/ her. He is showing a lot of black.
I have a divider in the tank right now, but I really don't want this for the long term. I also don't have another tank or space for him.
Is the deppi trying to breed and will he ever get out of breeding mode? Will I have to get rid of the deppi eventually? I like the robertsoni more.

 

[jonclark96]

My male deppi seems to be pretty aggressive agains fish with similar body shapes. He is always battling with my hogaboomorum but leaves everything else in the tank alone. I would guess it sees the robertsoni as either a potential mate or another heppi in his territory.

 

[cichlidfish]

My male deppi seems to be pretty aggressive agains fish with similar body shapes. He is always battling with my hogaboomorum but leaves everything else in the tank alone. I would guess it sees the robertsoni as either a potential mate or another heppi in his territory.

How bad does it get and what size tank do you keep them in? A hogaboomorum is a pretty tough cichlid, especially compared to robertsonis. The deppi ignores my p. syn and a. rostratus, but I don't know the sex of those fish yet.

 

[virgil2090]

if you think it is related to his wanting to breed with the robertstoni,you could try turning down the temperature,or possibly re-work all the decor,adding more

 

[jonclark96]

How bad does it get and what size tank do you keep them in? A hogaboomorum is a pretty tough cichlid, especially compared to robertsonis. The deppi ignores my p. syn and a. rostratus, but I don't know the sex of those fish yet.

They are in a 180. The deppi is about 6", the biggest of the hogs is about 8". The deppi is usually the one with the missing scales and split fins. No real damage as there is enough room in the tank for them to try and stay away from each other. Also in the tank is a centrarchus pair, some HRP's, a female jd, and a couple other grow outs.

 

[cichlidfish]

They are in a 180. The deppi is about 6", the biggest of the hogs is about 8". The deppi is usually the one with the missing scales and split fins. No real damage as there is enough room in the tank for them to try and stay away from each other. Also in the tank is a centrarchus pair, some HRP's, a female jd, and a couple other grow outs.

I thought the hogs would fight back. The robertsoni won't fight back and won't swim away. My 150g should be eough room for the robertsoni to swim away, but she doesn't. She seems suicidal, but maybe it is the breeding differences between the two. I hear deppi males are very rough and often kill their mates.

 

[jonclark96]

I thought the hogs would fight back. The robertsoni won't fight back and won't swim away. My 150g should be eough room for the robertsoni to swim away, but she doesn't. She seems suicidal, but maybe it is the breeding differences between the two. I hear deppi males are very rough and often kill their mates.

The hogs do fight back, but the deppi keeps coming back for more. No significant damage, but the deppi has staked out his territory and will flare up against the hogs if they come over to his side of the tank. Not the smartest fish in the world, as the hogs definitely have a lot more bulk than he does.

I had another deppi that he killed when they both reached about 4". Not sure about the sex on the other one, but it didn't last long, even in the 180.