carrie Blaylock - 2012-05-03 So my friend gave me a 10 gal tank n 2 southern cichilids. The problem is the larger male is trying to kill the female. Its really sad to watch any advice would be appreciated
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Jeremy Roche - 2012-05-03 They are stressed and acting out. Add some hiding places.
Ghameeda Hendricks - 2018-04-01 I have the same problem. My Ahli killed 2 females already and they were alone in the tank. I now added 9 females and extra male and he seems to show aggression and all the rest are hiding from him at the top of the tank behind the pump. What can i do?
Jonathan Babb - 2019-10-08 There are a number of things you can do to deal with the cichlid fish aggression:
1. Remove the more aggressive male from the take for 1-2 days. You can keep him in another tank (i.e QT) or a bucket of treated water, but make sure there is air or flow to oxygenate.
2. Change the layout of the tank to make it feel like a new tank, and the fish will re-establish their pecking order, and the aggressive male may not maintain as much territory as previously. If this is done in conjunction with option 1 you will have better results.
3. Make sure the most aggressive male is not easily the biggest and baddest fish. At least one or two fish of the same size can prevent one fish from dominating the tank.
4. Keep only fish of the same sex, or have just one male and many females. The fish tend to be less aggressive when there is not competition for breeding.
5. Overstock the tank with too many fish for your aggressive cichlid to dominate. This is the most commonly used method at aquarium stores. If there are too many fish for him to push them away, eventually he will get tired of it and either keep a much smaller territory or not establish territory at all.
I realize this is way too late but i wanted to post this information in the event someone else stumbles on this looking for the same thing.
Jonathan T Babb - 2019-10-08 I forgot to mention that more hiding spaces as previously noted will help (though this works better for Mbuna species).
Also, dither fish is another option. The dither fish can prevent the cichlids from establishing territory and can also unite them as well. Good dither fish for Hap cichlids are fish that are faster and maneuver better than the cichlids, such as Giant Danios (I've heard of these often being used, they are racers and swim everywhere, really opening up the space), rainbowfish, and the larger and faster tetra species such as Congo tetras.
Do not put any large slow moving fish in with them such as Angelfish, Discus, Gourami. These will not fare well. Plecos can be kept with them but aren't great dither fish. You'd end up with the same scenario plus a pleco on the glass.
trevor - 2010-04-21 I'm not trying to be mean but it's very hard on your fish to mix different native fish in one tank. Everything may be doing well as it seems but there is a lot that you can't see. Oscars need a more neutral pH than african cichlids and neither will feel comfortable in a tank. Your oscar is probably so stressed he's lost his personality and believe me these fish have amazing personalities. As for the jaguar and blood parrot they go well together somewhat but try getting another tank and separating the difference in native areas. And I would keep that oscar by himself. Nice variety of fish though currently I have a 55 dedicated to lake malawi cichlids beautiful fish, and a 15 holding about 15 black convict fry. They're my wife's and they are going to be cool fish when we thin them out. But I won't ever mix them with my malawis. Also I have a 125 gallon that the malawi will go into when I finally move.
Libby - 2009-05-19 Can I put an electric blue 'ahli' cichlid in a 50 gal tank with a 5"electric yellow cichild, 2 3" jewel cichilds, a 2" red tail shark, large (palm of the hand sized)blood parrot and plecostimus?
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Katie - 2010-03-04 My answer is going to depend on the type of plecostomus you have. Some plecos only reach 3 inches, while others reach 24! If you have the type that reaches this size, I would not add any more fish to your tank. With the fish that you have, the tank would eventually be overstocked when the pleco was full grown. If you have one of the smaller plecos, you will probably be fine to add an Ahli.
trevor - 2010-04-21 But there is always the option of taking your large pleco to a local pet store and trading for a smaller one.
Tracie - 2010-05-28 From what I've read...no. The elec. blue ahli requires a min of 70 gal tank.
michael - 2011-01-07 Yes. It should do fine, this fish can take very good care for itself. Just don't mix another male of the same kind you could add electric blue females if you like also and no peacock male fish and you should be fine. It's an amazing and radiant fish to have. Enjoy. mike
Scott - 2011-05-11 No, it will probably get killed by the yellow cichlid because it has asserted its dominance
Annie - 2011-08-09 I have an Electric Blue that I had with an Electric yellow and a Kenyi, all were put in at the same time, and they almost killed the Electric Blue. I would suggest not putting them together.
Tristan - 2012-06-02 Yes, I am currently keeping my ahli with an electric yellow, auratus ,chipokae, red kadango, johanni,pleco and 3 red zebras. The ahli will be fine in your tank.
Ian - 2012-06-29 Yes, I've got a 55g with 1 ahli, 5 yellow labs, 2 MALE Otter point peacocks, 2 johanni, 5 yellow tail acei, 4 bristle nose plecos and 1 7' hi fin spotted pleco, 5 demasani,and a striped raphael cat. they all get along. no one picks on the Electric blue ahli but since he's the only male of his kind is very gentle for the most part till he gets hungery. If you add female ahli, be prepared to move them to a different tank cause the male will become extremely aggressive towards other fish.
Asianfisherman319 - 2009-04-23 I bought one of these guys yesterday at a Petsmart here in Minnesota, down in Rochester. And I tell you, he has beautiful blue electric colorings and is doing great inside my Oscar tank which I got from that same place awhile back too. The Hap doesn't really do much of showing aggression, yet it's still early to tell. But the way it's looking, nothing is going on or showing any fightings between my Oscars, Blood Parrots, and Jaguar Cichlids! So this fish is a great addition to my tank and gives it color too!
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Natalie - 2012-11-01 I have a question my mum has one of these electric blues that came in a pair his 'mate' was attacked by one of the other fish and was eaten and now the last eletric blue is getting picked on. since he's the smallest in the tank he hides out a lot. Is it ok that I put him in my tropical tank? My tank holds quite passive fish but the only argressive fish I have in there are the Siamese fighters I have two. Is it possible that the eletric blue will get on with others. I know he will probably be the boss of the tank that's obvious but cause he's in his own will he attack and hurt my other fish?
Jeremy Roche - 2012-11-02 No these are not community fish natelie
john - 2011-10-11 I think I saw these at the walmart by my house,I would really like to get one but I know nothing about it,info please.
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Charlie Roche - 2011-10-12 A good start on infoormation is the article you are on. Good luck with your purchase.
fish_are_awesome - 2011-10-15 Warning: Don't buy your fish from Walmart, they won't last. Buy it at a pet store or even better a fish specific store. Just not Walmart.
The dazzling Electric Blue Hap is one of the most popular Lake Malawi Cichlids in the hobby!
So my friend gave me a 10 gal tank n 2 southern cichilids. The problem is the larger male is trying to kill the female. Its really sad to watch any advice would be appreciated
They are stressed and acting out. Add some hiding places.
I have the same problem. My Ahli killed 2 females already and they were alone in the tank. I now added 9 females and extra male and he seems to show aggression and all the rest are hiding from him at the top of the tank behind the pump. What can i do?
There are a number of things you can do to deal with the cichlid fish aggression:
1. Remove the more aggressive male from the take for 1-2 days. You can keep him in another tank (i.e QT) or a bucket of treated water, but make sure there is air or flow to oxygenate.
2. Change the layout of the tank to make it feel like a new tank, and the fish will re-establish their pecking order, and the aggressive male may not maintain as much territory as previously. If this is done in conjunction with option 1 you will have better results.
3. Make sure the most aggressive male is not easily the biggest and baddest fish. At least one or two fish of the same size can prevent one fish from dominating the tank.
4. Keep only fish of the same sex, or have just one male and many females. The fish tend to be less aggressive when there is not competition for breeding.
5. Overstock the tank with too many fish for your aggressive cichlid to dominate. This is the most commonly used method at aquarium stores. If there are too many fish for him to push them away, eventually he will get tired of it and either keep a much smaller territory or not establish territory at all.
I realize this is way too late but i wanted to post this information in the event someone else stumbles on this looking for the same thing.
I forgot to mention that more hiding spaces as previously noted will help (though this works better for Mbuna species).
Also, dither fish is another option. The dither fish can prevent the cichlids from establishing territory and can also unite them as well. Good dither fish for Hap cichlids are fish that are faster and maneuver better than the cichlids, such as Giant Danios (I've heard of these often being used, they are racers and swim everywhere, really opening up the space), rainbowfish, and the larger and faster tetra species such as Congo tetras.
Do not put any large slow moving fish in with them such as Angelfish, Discus, Gourami. These will not fare well. Plecos can be kept with them but aren't great dither fish. You'd end up with the same scenario plus a pleco on the glass.
i have a electric blue cichled and he is by himself what fish can i actually put with him so he stops hiding
i have a electric blue cichled and he is by himself what fish can i actually put with him so he stops hiding
Hi, I was wondering if i could do a Mix of electric blue hap and shell dwellers ?
I'm not trying to be mean but it's very hard on your fish to mix different native fish in one tank. Everything may be doing well as it seems but there is a lot that you can't see. Oscars need a more neutral pH than african cichlids and neither will feel comfortable in a tank. Your oscar is probably so stressed he's lost his personality and believe me these fish have amazing personalities. As for the jaguar and blood parrot they go well together somewhat but try getting another tank and separating the difference in native areas. And I would keep that oscar by himself. Nice variety of fish though currently I have a 55 dedicated to lake malawi cichlids beautiful fish, and a 15 holding about 15 black convict fry. They're my wife's and they are going to be cool fish when we thin them out. But I won't ever mix them with my malawis. Also I have a 125 gallon that the malawi will go into when I finally move.
Can I put an electric blue 'ahli' cichlid in a 50 gal tank with a 5"electric yellow cichild, 2 3" jewel cichilds, a 2" red tail shark, large (palm of the hand sized)blood parrot and plecostimus?
My answer is going to depend on the type of plecostomus you have. Some plecos only reach 3 inches, while others reach 24! If you have the type that reaches this size, I would not add any more fish to your tank. With the fish that you have, the tank would eventually be overstocked when the pleco was full grown. If you have one of the smaller plecos, you will probably be fine to add an Ahli.
But there is always the option of taking your large pleco to a local pet store and trading for a smaller one.
From what I've read...no. The elec. blue ahli requires a min of 70 gal tank.
Yes. It should do fine, this fish can take very good care for itself. Just don't mix another male of the same kind you could add electric blue females if you like also and no peacock male fish and you should be fine. It's an amazing and radiant fish to have. Enjoy.
mike
No, it will probably get killed by the yellow cichlid because it has asserted its dominance
I have an Electric Blue that I had with an Electric yellow and a Kenyi, all were put in at the same time, and they almost killed the Electric Blue. I would suggest not putting them together.
Yes, I am currently keeping my ahli with an electric yellow, auratus ,chipokae, red kadango, johanni,pleco and 3 red zebras. The ahli will be fine in your tank.
Yes, I've got a 55g with 1 ahli, 5 yellow labs, 2 MALE Otter point peacocks, 2 johanni, 5 yellow tail acei, 4 bristle nose plecos and 1 7' hi fin spotted pleco, 5 demasani,and a striped raphael cat. they all get along. no one picks on the Electric blue ahli but since he's the only male of his kind is very gentle for the most part till he gets hungery. If you add female ahli, be prepared to move them to a different tank cause the male will become extremely aggressive towards other fish.
I bought one of these guys yesterday at a Petsmart here in Minnesota, down in Rochester. And I tell you, he has beautiful blue electric colorings and is doing great inside my Oscar tank which I got from that same place awhile back too. The Hap doesn't really do much of showing aggression, yet it's still early to tell. But the way it's looking, nothing is going on or showing any fightings between my Oscars, Blood Parrots, and Jaguar Cichlids! So this fish is a great addition to my tank and gives it color too!
I have a question my mum has one of these electric blues that came in a pair his 'mate' was attacked by one of the other fish and was eaten and now the last eletric blue is getting picked on. since he's the smallest in the tank he hides out a lot. Is it ok that I put him in my tropical tank? My tank holds quite passive fish but the only argressive fish I have in there are the Siamese fighters I have two. Is it possible that the eletric blue will get on with others. I know he will probably be the boss of the tank that's obvious but cause he's in his own will he attack and hurt my other fish?
No these are not community fish natelie
I think I saw these at the walmart by my house,I would really like to get one but I know nothing about it,info please.
A good start on infoormation is the article you are on. Good luck with your purchase.
Warning: Don't buy your fish from Walmart, they won't last. Buy it at a pet store or even better a fish specific store. Just not Walmart.