Tank Aggression in my new 60 gallon

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Black Tuna

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Mar 4, 2014
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California
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Just for those interested I wanted to update on my new 60 gallon tank stocking and ask for some feedback.
I ended up with the following fish, all introduced at the same time this past weekend:
1-Convict (male) 5"
1-Blue Acara (sex unknown) 3"
1-Salvini (female) 3"
1-Nicaraguan Cichlid (sex unknown) 4"
Others:
2- Buenos Aires Tetras 2" each
1- Algae eater 2.5"
I've had the convict for some time, and just found a blue acara at an LFS 1 week prior. I had the blue acara with the male convict for a week in a 29 gallon tank and the convict would chase the acara around obviously as he was much bigger. Originally the plan was also to get a salvini and maybe a firemouth (my girlfriend's pick). However I instead met up with a breeder connection that had the salvini and many other great fish. My girlfriend choose to go with the Nic instead of the firemouth, being told that the Nic would possibly work in our tank. After reseraching some I'm found that these guys get a bit bigger than I had hoped, and so may have deal with him accordingly in the future.
Leading up to the stocking my main concern and what many were telling me was that the Salvini might be a problem, with the acara being an easy target. To my surprise the Blue Acara so far is the bully as he continuously chases around the Nic and the Salvini. Now I have set-up, what I consider 4 very well constructed caves in my tank. However it doesn't matter to the small Acara as he herrasses them constantly, to the point where the Nic and Salvini are often found at the top back of the tank, hiding under the HOB filter. The Convict does some chasing as well but the convict & acara don't go after eachother.
As for the Dithers, I do intend on adding 3 more of the Buenos Aires Tetras to get the minimum school effect going. However I've noticed that the Acara & Convict pay no attention to the Tetras or algae eater, thus me thinking that they are not serving their purpose as dithers very well.
Maybe it's too early to tell if these fish will settle down and get along? Also, with the addition of 3 more tetras will the dithers do their job better? I'd like to hear feedback based on my tanks chemistry so far.
Thanks
 
It's not big enough long term to house all of those fish is the sad fact. If the acara is bullying the others to the point that they hide in the upper corner it's not likely it will stop. That tank isn't big enough to allow them to form adequate territories for themselves you need more than just 4 caves. The tetras will eventually be eaten

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Yea I'm beginning to think that. Unfrotunately I started many threads about my stock prior to getting it and not one person said any mention of overstock. The way the Acara is acting he would take over 6 foot tank by himself. I never would have thought a 60 gallon with one 3" blue acara would be maxed out lol
 
As adults it's overstocked. Not because of size but the varying aggression levels won't be compatible in that tank

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Mike, what would be your advice based on whats happening? I'd like to work with the fish somehow, and would consider rehoming a fish as I have an empty 29 gallon as well. Curious to which fish(s) you would take out and any other aqua scaping or dither recommendations. Thanks

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Remove all cichlids. Rework all the decor and add more wood and rock work. Add them back and add at least 4-5 more tetras although buenos Aries tetras get a bit big to have that large a school in a 60 gallon I believe


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Mike, I attached a picture of my tank. I'm open to any criticism and suggestions for when I re do the tricks and stuff. Also I plan on removing the sponge filter on the right back corner.

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uploadfromtaptalk1394482856923.jpg
 
Adding more plants, especially tall bushy ones that block sight can be helpful as well. (Not in the rear of the tank, but towards the center.) Generally speaking, fish don't feel threatened by what they can't see and (excluding prey food) don't chase what doesn't threaten them. If my depth perception is correct from the photo, all the fish would be insight of all the other fish most of the time.

Two large bushy clumps placed at the 1/3 and 2/3 way along the length of the tank, and mid way (center) in depth might reduce a lot of aggression.
 
Thanks for the suggestion, and you're right about the plants being at the back. I'll move them to the mid of tank, look for some additional driftwood. With the fish in the caves they cannot be seen at all from down the tank, the acara just keeps roaming around. If he sees either the salvini or nic then he chases them out.

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