What Were the Most Aggressive Cichlids You've Kept Together...

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Hi,

I started my research on cichlids last year and so far so good. Alot of work involved but I am having fun while I am at it. I started out with a 55 Gallon tank with a few baby vicious cichlids.

Blue Freckled Monster - Petenia umbriferum, Wolf Dovii - Cichlasoma Dovii, Red Devil, Jaguar - Cichlasoma Maneguense, Red Terror - Cichlasoma Festae, Green Texas Cichlid - Cichlasoma Carpintis, Convicts - Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum, Green Terror Royal, and Oscar.

As they grew in the 55 I noticed their territorial space claims so I changed my settings 2 to times a week. Some of them will find a new place to hang out and some regardless of what decorations are there, will stay in the same spot and area.

Each of them have shocking behaviors and after relentlessly watching them one can differentiate on their teritorial behaviors.

After 5 months in my research I had to move them to a 125 Gallon. They would go at it in a hierarchical manner. All day, they chase and fight at random. Once a fish scapes being chased then it would go off and chase the weaker fish and so on. It was a territorial cycle.

Once the chase day is over all would rest into their stablished location. They would flock
only at feeding time. Eating habbits are totally different from African Cichlids. Since the beggining of my research I only lost 2 fish. The Green Terror Royal and Red Terror. Sad to see them go but they went. In my opinion I do not think that these cichlids are able to be ranked in order of whats most vicious to the least like many websites and forums do. I still believe that they can all live in one tank one community.

They expose viciousness, agressiveness, and agility at feeding time. They are pretty cunning when I feed them feeders and live worms.

Currently my brother and I have 3-125 Gallon, 2-55 Gallon, 1-35 Gallon, and 1-20 Gallon.
Watching and raising fish is lots of fun. Some folks say we nuts but that's them.

I do have a question out of the topic. Eheim Professional II Canistr Filter. Everytime I turn it off it seems too leak? Can I get some help on this one. Thanks

Thank You for letting post.
 
The Green Terror Royal and Red Terror. Sad to see them go but they went. In my opinion I do not think that these cichlids are able to be ranked in order of whats most vicious to the least like many websites and forums do.
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the red terror on average is one of the most aggressive species of cichlids. not the most aggressive, but probably in the top 5. the difference between the festae and the other cichlids you mentioned is that they grow much slower and will take longer to reach maturity. it's at maturity when these aggressive cichlids start becoming really aggressive and territorial. they may be somewhat aggressive before reaching maturity, but afterwards watch out. Once red terrors reach around 6-8" (which ime takes over a year) that is when they start showing their true aggression. red devils, jags, and dovii in particular will grow about twice as fast and reach maturity in about 6-8 months as opposed to the year+ it takes for festae.

I'd be surprised if your setup works for too much longer. as the dovii and umbie grow they'll each need much more than a 125 gallon each if they are both males. :)
 
dom. male spec.

He's made quite a few fish disappear

green terror his size disappeared
killed 2 sub dominate spectabile
swallowed a balzani
i'm sure there are more but i just forgot right now.

He's a perfect specimen, except for a little bruise on his forehead when he tried taking on a fahaka puffer for some food. Otherwise, he's badass
 
Peanut_Power said:
HAHAHAHA!! I want some specs. now! They sound even more pimp! And I'll actually post pictures of mine!! :p!!!
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i know i know :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:


Rapps has some 1.5 inches at 7.50 each ;)


curse the name :swear:
 
Hi,

I started this project and research on a 55 Gallon Long Tank.
Blue Freckled Monster - Petenia umbriferum / Wolf Cichlid - Cichlasoma dovii / Red Devil - C.citrinellum / Jaguar Cichlid Cichlasoma managuense / Red Terror Cichlasoma festae / Motaguense - Cichlasoma motaguense / Green Texas - Cichlasoma carpintis / Convict - Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum. Oscar / Green Terror Royal / Firemouth / Cray fish

Many people said and claimed that my tank was a grave yard.. But so far so good.
I did loose two of the cray fish. The eye and legs were eaten up. One of them I think died in starvation or it was too old. It had no signs of it being chewed up.

Here is what I have done for the past three months. 2 to 3 times per week I changed the decorations in my tank so I can propbably defeat the teritorial issues. It has worked so far.
The decorations must be in an obsticle set up so that there will be places to hide for the weaker or less vicious fish.

There are many stereo types bout these vicious cichlids and I find many of them false.

I now have my gang of cichlids swimming arround in a 125 G tank and so far so good. They get along fine and they sworm or flock together when their feeding.

Through out the day they chase each other in an heirchical behavior. Once one gets away from a more dominant or stronger fish thats chasing it arround, it will then chase another and so forth. The viciouness of these cichlids are often exposed when I feed them feeders from my feeder tank or worms from my back yard..

So far my fish are healthy and swimming well. It is so tight when some of their colors come out. I must say that these Cichlids are not very colorful.
 
Hi,

Oops I didn't c that my previous extensive post was posted sorry for the duplicate.

I have the jaguar, wolf dovii and umbi at an adult size in our other 125. They seem to be doing just fine. I will have to post pics once i get my cam set-up.

Thanks
Whoadie
 
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