Picked up a new addition....

dontgetbit · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 12:35 PM

....a Firemouth. It should complete my stock list for the 55g for now.

So far he has been in the tank for 3 days and the JD will not leave him alone. I tried moving all of the caves around, adding a new cave, moving plants, but nothing phases the JD. I was thinking about a tank separator next.

Any suggestions on how to get the JD to settle down? I do not want to get rid of the FM but that may be the final option.

reeffreak · #2 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 12:53 PM

I do not know a whole lot about these fish but what else is in there with them? hopefully someone else with experience with these fish will chime in.

dontgetbit · #3 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 01:12 PM

There is a schood of 6 Bueonos Aires Tetras and a 7" Pleco. The JD does not bother the Tetras and the Pleco back him into his cave.

reeffreak · #4 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 03:13 PM

Just me thinking here but if the JD has been in there for any length of time and that is the only "larger" aggressive fish you have in there. that is his space. I would suspect anything you try to put in there you will have the same results unless you put several things at once and still there may be issues with one or two. I am thinking because he is the only big fish and now you add one more he is naturally going to take him out if he can. Just my two cents though. hopefully someone else will give their advice. I would think in a 55 you could put a few more semi aggressive species to be able to balance it out.

gerald · #5 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 01:16 PM

You can try a divider and give them a few weeks to get used to seeing and smelling each each other, then pull the divider out when you've got toime to sit back and watch (and intervene if needed). Or you could put several new cichlids in at one time and confuse/overwhelm the JD.

dontgetbit · #6 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 03:04 PM

I put a divider in over the weekend. The first night I did not have it secure enough and the JD and the FM switched sides. I secured it again yesterday and they are doing ok now. I think a week or so with the divider and I will try again.

The FM likes to hide, so if the JD does go after him again I may just get rid of him and get a tougher fish or just leave the JD as the lone big fish.

Sarah88 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-08-2010, 08:16 PM

what is the size difference between the JD and firemouth and how long was the JD by himself? if they are about the same size then just do as your planning and in a week give it another go, if there is a big size difference then i would keep them separated until they are similar in size and then try again, since the firemouth is the only other cichlid in there they are going fight with each other, that's unavoidable you just have to keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't get out of hand, those two are pretty similar in aggression so it should be ok once they figure out who's boss (i wouldn't really suggest adding any more cichlids unless its only one more that doesn't get bigger than 5-6in, since when they are all grown up a 55g doesnt really give much room)

dontgetbit · #8 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah88

what is the size difference between the JD and firemouth and how long was the JD by himself? if they are about the same size then just do as your planning and in a week give it another go, if there is a big size difference then i would keep them separated until they are similar in size and then try again, since the firemouth is the only other cichlid in there they are going fight with each other, that's unavoidable you just have to keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't get out of hand, those two are pretty similar in aggression so it should be ok once they figure out who's boss (i wouldn't really suggest adding any more cichlids unless its only one more that doesn't get bigger than 5-6in, since when they are all grown up a 55g doesnt really give much room)

The JD has less than 1" on the FM. The JD was in there for 5 days before the FM was added. I have been watching the JD and he is not charging the separator like he did the first night. The FM is kind of shy and the JD is not scared of anything except the gravel vac. I really hope this works and I can keep the FM.

I do not plan on adding any more fish to the tank. If anything I would get rid of the pleco when he gets too big and get something similar/smaller. If all goes well I will upgrade in a year or so anyway.