Lake Tanganyika Species • Aggressive cyps utinta

[mel_cp6]

I have a 75g with 3 known male cyps utinta. The alpha male seems to be focusing his aggression towards another male to the point that the sub male hide as much as he can. What can I do to try to reduce the aggression? Should I remove the alpha cyps or try to add more males. I have 12 cyps in the tank.

I also have 2m/3f kilesa that are going thru the same aggression issues. Alpha is constantly chasing the beta male. Should I add more females here?

Thanks in advance.
Mel

[Floridagirl]

My first though is to make sure you are providing some cover for the harrassed fish. I would add more male Cyps to spread aggressionand add more color. I think a 75 is too small for 2 male Kilesa to have Bowers, especially if you have the other fish listed in your signature in this tank. But, not my personal knowlege, just info I have gleaned from others. And more females are always a plus!

[mel_cp6]

I have rock works at both ends of the tank and the sumbus are not a problem. My first thought was just that, add more male cyps and I removed the harrasing kilesa for a while and will see how it goes. Stappersi are not in this tank just yet but will see how it goes with them in this tAnk. It's a work in progress and I luv the activity, color and behavior in this tank.

[Floridagirl]

Maybe some floating plants for refuge until you can get more males?

[mel_cp6]

I'm actually thinking of adding a lot plants to act as sight brake as well as hiding spots for fry as all fishes are breeding.

[Floridagirl]

I think that is a great idea!

[Galloyien]

I have 3 males and 4 female cyps. I had to remove two of the males to my larger fry tank. They are doing great there, and the two males get along. My cyps breed constantly. I have 12 fry right now, and another mouthful to be stripped this week. If you have the same problem I did, I'd remove them. Even with hiding spots the alpha male wouldn't stop chasing the others. I started out with 20 cyps but we had a nasty ich breakout that I thought would never go away. I plan on moving my entire setup to something much bigger whenever I find a good deal.

[mel_cp6]

Btw. I don't really care about collecting fry from any of these fish. I'm just going to let nature take its course.

[Ptyochromis]

My utinta are doing the same thing in a 4' 55. My alpha has had his dominance for a while but another male who has just become his size is starting to duke it out with the alpha. There is lots of flaring and physical contact; mine get next to each other so they are facing opposite ways and do a quick spin where they bite each other. I have 2 rock piles on either side of the tank now (with an open area in the middle), these fish seem to like to hold territory over a rock pile or in front of a 'wall' of rocks. I just let the aggression run it's course. I also have 11 fish in total with 5 males(2 dominant) and 6 females, this may have something to do with diffusing the aggression. This is my tank: http://i.imgur.com/h3rd1.jpg. You could try adding more cyps and re-arranging your tank.

[m1ke715m]

thats normal for cyps.. add more males.. they need to flash each other or they wont breed.. imo 1 male cyp and females wont spawn.. you need those extra males.. my kerenges I've got 3m/6f and the dom male is a jerk like that too.. they will get out of the way.. as long as they come out to eat you are good.. if they arent eating they are going to waste and die.. put slate or other flat rocks up against the back wall at an angle they like the hang off it and hide behind it when necesarry

also my kilesa are in a 75 gallon with a large colony of cyps and spawning like crazy they are in with wc micros that are huge and the dom male micro is also extremely mean.. 3m/5females kilesa and they always flash and chase each other.. thats what kilesa do.. they also will not spawn with only 1 male.. i had 2males and they wouldnt spawn.. they were lazy.. i added another trio and they spawned within a week... they also will not kill each other.. just chase and display all day long cyps and enantiopus are probly my favorite tangs because of those exact reasons..

[mel_cp6]

Tank looks great. What else do you have in there along with the cyps?
I am considering adding at least 2 more male cyps to spread out the agresssion.

[mel_cp6]

Thanks mike. Ill see if I can find a trio of kilesa.

[Ptyochromis]

Tank looks great. What else do you have in there along with the cyps?
I am considering adding at least 2 more male cyps to spread out the agresssion.

I have 2x L.ornatipinnis 6x J.transcriptus pempa and 3x A.comps. The ornatipinnis tend to keep everyone in check lol.

[rous]

also my kilesa are in a 75 gallon with a large colony of cyps and spawning like crazy they are in with wc micros that are huge and the dom male micro is also extremely mean.. 3m/5females kilesa and they always flash and chase each other.. thats what kilesa do.. they also will not spawn with only 1 male.. i had 2males and they wouldnt spawn.. they were lazy.. i added another trio and they spawned within a week... they also will not kill each other.. just chase and display all day long cyps and enantiopus are probly my favorite tangs because of those exact reasons..

My kilesa spawned regularly with 1 male/ 5 female in a 75 gallon with a group of 14 cyp utinta (3 m, 11 female) who also spawned regularly. Since I moved them to a 225, I always have at least 1 female kilesa holding, and frequently 2, even though I only have 1 male. Cyps are also breeding more frequently in the bigger tank, and the male aggression is much less.

[m1ke715m]

i had no luck with 1 male.. neither did my friend