Texas Attitude Adjustment

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rolandk10

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
May 9, 2011
108
1
33
Naples, FL
Ok, I have a feeling this is going to be a really stupid question because the answer seems like common sense but since I'm not yet an expert, I'll ask anyways.

I have a 125 with a decent community.

1 9" oscar
1 4.5" JD
1 3" Salvini
1 9" common Pleco
4 4" Clown Loaches
1 9" florida gar
and
1 5.5" Texas

The texas was put in there a few months back. He was just another tenant. After a couple weeks, a little hierarchy evolved. The larger oscar would chase the smaller Texas. The Texas would chase the smaller JD and the JD would chase the smaller Salvini. Kind of made sense.

I'm not an expert on the psycological state of cichlids but to my casual observation, they appeared to be playing. In any event, it was non-violent in that there was no damage done to anyone.

All that changed subtly about 3 weeks ago. The Texas started chasing everyone. He wasn't defending any structure explictly but rather struting around the whole tank looking for trouble. First I noticed the Texas and Oscar would get in these open mouth stare downs. The oscar usually lost the fight in that he backed up and turned around.

in the past few days, he started snipping at the oscar and leaving teeth marks on him.

I finally seperated him with a tank divider. Now for the stupid question. Now what? I can hope but my guess is that the Texas isn't going to somehow get 'less' violent after being isolated for a while. Is he?

I assume my two options are leave him isolated behind the divider or put him in a different tank. The second option would require me to take him to a LFS as I have no room in my condo for a second tank.

I guess my cloudiness comes from the fact that I really like this guy. His colors and presence are awesome. I don't want to part with him but I don't want to keep him in 'jail' forever either.

What do I do with him? Any chance in hell he will have an 'attitude adjustment'?

Pics:
You can see the oscar gar and a convict on the right. The convict I 'adopted' yesterday and he is going to my brother tomorrow. He can't take the Texas. I already tried.
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Here he is. My texas named 'Tex'.
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Take all the fish out.. Re decorate the whole tank..

Most people say this helps.. It has yet to help me.. but you could give it a shot.. If you're attached to the Texas, you could try to give away/sell the others?
 
Yes! I forgot to mention that. The layout in the photo is new. I didn't remove the fish but I removed all the decor and completely redecorated, so to speak. I was thinking about buying new decorations instead in the possibility that they recognized the rearranged ones enough to not be uncomfortable.

Thanks for the tip.
 
I think the dominance has already started. The only was it may change is if the oscar get bigger and stronger.
 
Even the smartest person has STUPID questions and answers...that's what this site is for. We're all just people bound for mistakes and blunders, even stupidity

...and about your problem, LOL, its everyone's problem as long as they're keeping cichlids. It is the very nature of these animals. Even a bonded breeding pair, even brothers and sisters, even the mother and own frys, will turn on or against each other in a matter of seconds.
 
Calihawk said:
Even the smartest person has STUPID questions and answers...that's what this site is for. We're all just people bound for mistakes and blunders, even stupidity

...and about your problem, LOL, its everyone's problem as long as they're keeping cichlids. It is the very nature of these animals. Even a bonded breeding pair, even brothers and sisters, even the mother and own frys, will turn on or against each other in a matter of seconds.
Click to expand...

I have no idea who this is directed to but chill out? There was nothing wrong stated, at least I hope not from me. >.>
 
The OP referred to his question as being stupid. That's what Calihawk was talking about. Adding new decor could help but you never can be certain. I would try everything possible before you are forced to give up one or several fish.
 
Calihawk said:
Even the smartest person has STUPID questions and answers...that's what this site is for. We're all just people bound for mistakes and blunders, even stupidity
Click to expand...
Response seems to be based on the original question posted. Doesn't seem to be directed at anyone, just a general statement.
As mentioned Cichlids fight, there are a bunch of suggestions on what might work, but in the end it is up to the individual fish.
 
Thanks guys. I mentioned trying some new decor to my wife and she laughed and thinks I'm giving a 'fish' too much credit. She just doesn't understand!

I have been wanting to replace the gravel substrate with sand. Maybe now is a good time to try that.
 
rolandk10 said:
Thanks guys. I mentioned trying some new decor to my wife and she laughed and thinks I'm giving a 'fish' too much credit. She just doesn't understand!

I have been wanting to replace the gravel substrate with sand. Maybe now is a good time to try that.
Click to expand...

Give that a go! Post pics if you do decide to do it, and good luck D:
 
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