Suggestions for an overly aggressive fish?

[Rocksor]

Female cichlids will test the male's strength, and if unsuited, not only will some females rejected the male, they can inflict serious life threatening injuries.

You should wait until the female is at least 25% smaller than the male (6"+), which could be anywhere from 1-2 years from now.

 

[Backfromthedead]

i would try to introduce them and have a divider handy.

 

[Gill Blue]

So many ways of handling the same concept
Stanzzzz7 , did you look at Gill Blue 's link?

Is it better in your opinion because it doesn't involve "maiming" the fish, even though it is undoubtly more stressful for the fish involved?

I'd like to know how you figure netting, restraining, and I would assume removing from the water, is less stressful to the fish than something waving around in the water near the fish.

This has turned into quite a bizzare thread. To the OP, If you want to keep it with the convict and they can coexist that's good, if not I would consider taking it back to the shop if you can. Like you said you made a bit of a mistake, it happens but it's how you deal with it that matters.
As I said previously I would highly recommend you don't chop off your fishes tail or poke it with a stick.

Re-read the post. The fish was never touched.

 

[J. H.]

I'd like to know how you figure netting, restraining, and I would assume removing from the water, is less stressful to the fish than something waving around in the water near the fish.


Re-read the post. The fish was never touched.

Your fish clearly developed a fear of you and the bamboo to the point of hiding when he sees you or the stick, while sunnysjourney's fish, if he is to be believed, benaves normally and is not traumatized. This seems natural, and I know the appearance of a dominant fish may cause the same behavior, but the fish very clearly remembers fear, even if it was never in physical pain, while the 'clipped' fish seems not to. Being continuously intimidated and forced to back down is very stressful; when people do it to each other we call it bullying.
I am not calling you cruel, even if, reading what I just wrote, I realize I may sound like I did. I think what you did was genius, creating an imaginary "boss fish" that does not tolerate any fighting or harassment, which allows for your fish to get along when they otherwise wouldn't, and is probably far more effective than trimming fins because it eliminates conflict, rather than simply make the fish incapable of hurting each other. I am just trying to explain why I think it is more traumatic than trimming fins.

 

[Gill Blue]

Your fish clearly developed a fear of you and the bamboo to the point of hiding when he sees you or the stick, while sunnysjourney's fish, if he is to be believed, benaves normally and is not traumatized. This seems natural, and I know the appearance of a dominant fish may cause the same behavior, but the fish very clearly remembers fear, even if it was never in physical pain, while the 'clipped' fish seems not to. Being continuously intimidated and forced to back down is very stressful; when people do it to each other we call it bullying.
I am not calling you cruel, even if, reading what I just wrote, I realize I may sound like I did. I think what you did was genius, creating an imaginary "boss fish" that does not tolerate any fighting or harassment, which allows for your fish to get along when they otherwise wouldn't, and is probably far more effective than trimming fins because it eliminates conflict, rather than simply make the fish incapable of hurting each other. I am just trying to explain why I think it is more traumatic than trimming fins.

Did you see the picture of the fish? Do you really think I could get up against the glass with her that close if it was that afraid of me? Keep in mind that the photo was taken after the training. She has no issues with me unless I have that stick in hand. At least that was the case years ago since I've never had to re-enforce the training . And she can't be that afraid if she's one of the first to the top for feedings, and willing to flare up at my hand while I'm cleaning the glass.

Bullying? Perhaps, but having an intellectual discussion with a fish is difficult. Last I checked, punishing a bully isn't considered bullying. It's teaching someone there are consequences for their action.

How would it be if it was applied to you?

You are beating up someone and I wave something near you so you stop and at that point the waving stops, or I chase you around, entangle you in a net, hold you under water (fish out of water), and give you a hair cut.
I don't even understand how you can compare the two for the amount of stress caused, especially since the trimming can go on for years. As far as the trimmed fish goes, it's a completely random event. The trained fish knows if it behaves, it doesn't happen.

 

[J. H.]

Did you see the picture of the fish? Do you really think I could get up against the glass with her that close if it was that afraid of me? Keep in mind that the photo was taken after the training. She has no issues with me unless I have that stick in hand. At least that was the case years ago since I've never had to re-enforce the training . And she can't be that afraid if she's one of the first to the top for feedings, and willing to flare up at my hand while I'm cleaning the glass.

Bullying? Perhaps, but having an intellectual discussion with a fish is difficult. Last I checked, punishing a bully isn't considered bullying. It's teaching someone there are consequences for their action.

How would it be if it was applied to you?

You are beating up someone and I wave something near you so you stop and at that point the waving stops, or I chase you around, entangle you in a net, hold you under water (fish out of water), and give you a hair cut.
I don't even understand how you can compare the two for the amount of stress caused, especially since the trimming can go on for years. As far as the trimmed fish goes, it's a completely random event. The trained fish knows if it behaves, it doesn't happen.

You have a very strong point, and agree with everything you said. You seem to have gotten the fish to associate bullying with fear/being chased until it got out of the habit.
I also must admit bullying was a bad comparison.
However, as you said, to the trimmed fish it is a random event, and the fish may not even know it is slower than it was. A quick shock, and back to regular life.
Your method is definitely more effective long term, aesthetically pleasing, and 'ethical', but it may not involve less stress (except, of course if the trimming occurs often).

 

[Ogertron3000]

Re-read the post. The fish was never touched.[/QUOTE]

Relax my friend, by this stage the OPs problem seemed to be under control and I was joking around.
For the record I think your method while unusual is much better than chopping off the fishes tail.

 

[Gill Blue]

Re-read the post. The fish was never touched.

Relax my friend, by this stage the OPs problem seemed to be under control and I was joking around.
[/QUOTE]

When someone accuses me of animal abuse, I'm never relaxed. There is nothing amusing about it. Perhaps you should do some research on how humanity treats its fellow Terrans. It's sad, disgusting, and infuriating.

 

[Ogertron3000]

Relax my friend, by this stage the OPs problem seemed to be under control and I was joking around.

When someone accuses me of animal abuse, I'm never relaxed. There is nothing amusing about it. Perhaps you should do some research on how humanity treats its fellow Terrans. It's sad, disgusting, and infuriating.[/QUOTE]


Once again relax, I didn't accuse you of anything just advised OP not to poke fish with a stick. I don't find any abuse amusing , I am sure this thread gives that impression.
I am also aware of the sad state of the world and humanity but don't see how that's relevant to someone with an aggressive fish.

 

[restrictionavm]

I've never heard of aggression from female jack Dempsey breeds. I always thought these ladies were friendly enough and willing to share the aquarium with other individuals. Maybe you can arrange for her to be temporarily confined in a separate tank, so I don't injure other fish? Then if I were you, I'd add a very large individual to her tank that this aggressive female won't attack. If this female is aggressive, I think she obviously won't be a decoration in your room. I wanted to get this fish earlier to make it an ESA, but now I don't want to. I've read so much information about therapy pets on esaregistration.org. After your post, I want to choose another fish for this.