Lake Malawi Species • More fish or not?

[csolo541]

I've had 6 male peacocks in my 55 gallon for a few weeks now and the OB seems to be trying to keep the entire tank as his territory. I really dont want overly aggressive fish, stresses me out. So before I sell or trade them for something else, or before I finish stocking the tank and blow another $90+...

Will stocking the rest of the way (4-5 more?) help with the aggression? Probably finish with Haps.

I feed 3 times a day, plenty of hiding spots.

Current stock:
OB (current boss)
Firefish
Redshoulder (shyest)
Swallowtail
Sulfurhead
Benga

If I want a truly calm cichlid tank am I going to have to do a single species male+females?

[GoofBoy]

I've had 6 male peacocks in my 55 gallon for a few weeks now and the OB seems to be trying to keep the entire tank as his territory. I really dont want overly aggressive fish, stresses me out. So before I sell or trade them for something else, or before I finish stocking the tank and blow another $90+...

Will stocking the rest of the way (4-5 more?) help with the aggression? Probably finish with Haps.

I feed 3 times a day, plenty of hiding spots.

Current stock:
OB (current boss)
Firefish
Redshoulder (shyest)
Swallowtail
Sulfurhead
Benga

If I want a truly calm cichlid tank am I going to have to do a single species male+females?

The OB is a hybrid and they generally are more aggressive than other peacocks.

He may have to go, additional fish may or may not help, nature of the beast with all-male.

All-Male is a balancing act, it is not a stocking list if you want an easy tank, odds are very high it will need tinkering and changes over time.

You should also have a 10g hospital/timeout/re-home tank ready to go at all times if you go all male. When you need it, well you'll need it.

Truly calm and African cichlid stocking is kind of mutually exclusive. If aggressive fish stress you out, African cichlids may not be for you. Just being honest here.

High aggression does bother me but really calm tanks end up boring me rather quickly and I end up changing things.

But it comes down to what you want from the tank, the more honest you are about what you want the happier you will be with the tank.

Good Luck.

[lilcountrygal]

I have 2 OB peacocks that I ended up with by accident. They're in my 55 with mbuna and they chase some of the mbuna around. They're pretty aggressive. I'd remove him.

[stepht]

My OB is small and relatively calm so I am lucky for now. I had to pull my apache peacock which is a hybrid and he was creating WWIII in the tank. I seem to have a better balance after pulling him so I would recommend that

[csolo541]

Thanks for the info guys! The main reason I picked A Cichlids is because of my well-water conditions. I wanted the health of the fish to come first.

Anywho, It's not actual fighting but just chasing around a bit. I think I'm going to stick with it. I'll add some Haps and see how things go. If the increase in fish doesnt calm the OB down then I will try putting him in a time-out tank for a few weeks.

I keep hearing that as long as the water conditions stay pretty stable almost any fish can do well in almost any water (within reason). But things like Goldfish in pH 8.3 hard water seems pretty iffy tho...

--
Oh, since male tanks are a balancing act, what would you guys suggest I get? I gather that its how similar their colors and patterns are? I know some Haps can look similar to some Peacocks. I'll start looking around.

[DanniGirl]

Oh, since male tanks are a balancing act, what would you guys suggest I get? I gather that its how similar their colors and patterns are? I know some Haps can look similar to some Peacocks. I'll start looking around.

Given your stock, you could probably add 2 more fish. A few good additions could possibly be:

Placidochromis electra
Aulonocara stuartgranti Ngara
Aulonocara German Red

[csolo541]

Well as a last minute thought tonight, I put a divider in a 10gal I have and moved the OB for now. I really dont want to get rid of the OB. He has really cool markings for an OB.

Of course.. Next in line Firefish took over the chasing. Going to see if he's just exercising his new found authority. This is frustrating having only the dominant fish be out and happy looking. I've heard Firefish are a bit aggro. Wish I knew all this before I started buying.

BTW I like your choices there Danni!

[javi818ca]

In my experience, I would get rid of both ob and dragon blood, they can be way too aggressive for most peacocks, I have a 55 and had an ob and 2 dragon bloods that would just dominate 7 other type of peacocks in my tank, so I ended up replacin them with yellow blaze hap, deep water hap, flame back hap, now they all get along great and have colored tremendously since ob n dragon bloods are gone, don't get me wrong maybe adding more fish cand work, its just a matter or try and error, good luck

[AulonoKarl]

I think you will end up getting rid of the OB if the aggression bothers you as much as it seems to.
Look into Sciaenochromis fryeri and otopharynx lithobates. These two haps are very nice looking and mine at least have been very well behaved. YMMV

Don't get too frustrated by the fact that all of the fish are hiding from the dominant fish. If you simply double the amount of fish in your tank you will see less hiding.

[zquattrucci]

looks awsome

[csolo541]

For now the Dragonblood has calmed down and is behaving like a normal tank boss.

I'm planning on possibly re-introducing the OB with the next order of new fish. If this does not fix his aggression I'll sell or trade him.

Working out what I want to order within a week or two.

Suggestions I'm liking are: Placidochromis electra, Flame Tail, German Red, Otopharynx lithobates

[GoofBoy]

For now the Dragonblood has calmed down and is behaving like a normal tank boss.

I'm planning on possibly re-introducing the OB with the next order of new fish. If this does not fix his aggression I'll sell or trade him.

Working out what I want to order within a week or two.

Suggestions I'm liking are: Placidochromis electra, Flame Tail, German Red, Otopharynx lithobates

Do them all...

Good Luck.

[DanniGirl]

Looks good.
A potential problem could arise between the lithobates and Sulfur Head. Chances are the lithobates will dominate the Sulfur Head and you may see heightened aggression from the lithobates. Since the Sulfur Head is a shy fish, you may just want to trade him in for credit.

[csolo541]

Here is an order I put together from what was in stock. Shipping in 10 days so let me know what you think.

German Red
Aulonocara Stuartgranti Usisya Flavescent
Placidochromis Electra "Makonde"

[DanniGirl]

The Makonde and German Red should do well.
I hate to say it but you may have an issue between the Usisya and Benga. The coloration is very similar. Obviously you could try it, but expect only one to show full color.

A couple other suggestions:
Aulonocara maulana
Aulonocara masoni
Aulonocara koningsi