bazz Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Hi guys, I have a peacock (I think,photo attached) that is attacking everything he rules the mid section of the tank and attacks the crap out of the other guy that looks like him. I have a well stocked tank and do bi weekly water changes while running an FX5 in a 4x2x2. I have red zebs, there is a few males will have to sell them off ( I was warned about zebs aggression but took a chance). Its strange I have adult venustus and small little demasoni and they get along like great mates. Is it best to remove the peacock? I have tried rearranging etc I have lots of lava rock and hiding spaces keeps trying to rule the tank. Any input would be great, cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeadFishFloating Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 lol thats one dam brave peacock! Whats the nitrate reading in the tank? They do tend to get more aggresive as the levels rise. I would definitely either remove the peacock getting beaten or add more. In a tank like this, as soon as you remove the alpha male, the next male will step up. And it will likely be a zebra. Then you shall see how they earnt their reputation. My favourite solution to this sort of problem is to add a large red empress or electric blue male. they dont usually take crap from peacocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazz Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Hahaha yea tell me about it, he chases everything. My water quality is always great. Nitrate levels are normally unreadable, 40 percent water changes (slowly) every 4 days. I like to keep my fisihes in clean water. The red zebras only really smash each other and the electric yellows, they leave everything else alone mostly. They are very brutal to each other, then again that peacock still is worse lol. The peacock is acting similar to a lambardoi or kenyi cichlid, which may be hard to believe. It even smacks the venustus away which is nearly twice the size of it lol. Id prefer to remove fish rather then add, only because I dont want to overstock anymore then i already have. Good idea though didnt think of adding. Will need to remove him this weekend he other peacock is suffering poor guy lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeadFishFloating Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 I usually remove the loser personally, but ya the temptation is always to remove the bully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasman Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Like deadfish said. try and add some more is one option. he might be able to beat up one, but cant beat up say 5 all at once. thats the theory. come on, sure you can squeeze a few more in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazz Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 Haha so tempting, I feel bad though don't want to many fish in one tank poor buggers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
african-cichlids Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 It's different in every tank mate its wierd. Iv never had problems in the past with red zebs surprisingly and iv had quite a few peacocks and thay always have been really peacefull in my tanks. But than the last lot of yellows I had used to smash everything. Thay definatly have a mind of there own the old malawis. I'd do what dead fish floating sundered and either add more or remove the guy getting beaten up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbunamad Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 The Peacocks juices might be flowing. Add 3 or 4 female Peacocks so he can let his frustrations out. Don't worry about overcrowding the tank,as long as your filtration is adequate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braddo Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 How long have they been together? Another method i had success with is placing the tormented fish in a breeders net the boss fish will continue to go them one day he realises he cant touch them when released back in the tank he still thinks he.camt get to them. This may or may not work but worth a.try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazz Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2013 they have been together since juvies. Might give it a try if adding more fishies doesnt work thx for the tip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
