Question for the Old Heads here...

[FINWIN]

Any of you ever get a handle on the mechanics of "cichlid heirarchy?" The minute a situation starts to make sense it doesn't.

So onstage we've got the Oscar (#1) one Bp (#2), a Severum (#4) and another Bp (#3)

Now for the weirdness. I should say all of this got started with the introduction of Bp #3 who is ambitious to say the least. Now the heirarchy of everyone (except the Oscar) is all over the place. For example:

Bp #3 got picked on by #2 and #4. I expected this as the new BP settled in. #2 saw #3 as the 'competition parrot' so the chasing was intense for a few days. #4 would take random shots.

Then Bp #3 goes after the Severum #4. Severum now runs from BP#3 after picking on the same fish days prior.

Bp #3 gets too ambitious and goes after the Oscar #1. This attempt was crushed. Bp #3 now moves aside or runs from Oscar.

Out of nowhere, BP #3 chased BP #2 all over the tank. This went on for exactly one day. A complete reversal after that. Then BP #3 gets bounced around by BP #2. (WTF)

So no changes for 2 days. Until I couldn't find BP# 2. I poked around the tank and saw his belly sticking out of some vines. Fearing the worst I lifted the vines and he shot out. Now he's hiding from BP #3. Or when they come in contact he just won't move while BP #3 nudges him.

And now the Severum picks on BP#3 again and chases him away. Fish that fight one day run the next. The only one unaffected is the Oscar.

For the life of me I don't understand cichlids. It's like Alice in Wonderland meet Freddy Krueger.

 

[Chefken]

Every case different.....fish are not cones and some are more aggressive and territorial than others...Tank size, age, hides....so many variables

 

[Jmahn]

Agreed so many variables that can change behaviour but I've seen some weird fish end up being bullies/alphas I'd prob just say its a power struggle for the fish below the Oscar id just keep a close eye on them for now

 

[PYRU]

You get rid of jerks until you get harmony. I'd scrap #3.

All males and tank space is the only way I got a decent community

 

[FINWIN]

You get rid of jerks until you get harmony. I'd scrap #3.

All males and tank space is the only way I got a decent community

I think you're right...when a 5 inch parrot wants to take on an 11 inch oscar you have to wonder what's up. But that nonsense got stopped in 1 second and the oscar is the only one that keeps him in check. But I think Tango has to go. Kind of hate to do it, he's a very reactive and personable fish but not at the expense of everyone else.

 

[PYRU]

Yep welcome to the world of community cichlids. It sucks that's why all but the most determined steer ckear