Blue acara chasing severum. Aggression?

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M

Mythic Figment

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 27, 2012
2,117
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Florida
I added a 2" blue acara 2 days ago and he was housed with 6 1.5-2" angelicus loaches, 2 rummy nose tetras and 4 neon tetras. Well he ate 2 neons and a rummy nose, then killed the other rummy nose. I didn't think he could fit them in his mouth and had planned to rehome them in the near future, but he showed me was hungry I guess. I rehomed the other 2 neons today and picked up a 1.5" green severum. Well it looks like the acara is chasing the severum around. He never makes contact and the severum always gets out of the way. Is this bluff charging or is the blue acara being aggressive?


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The blue acara recognizes the tank as its territory and is trying to establish dominance over your severum. All newly added cichlids will face this kind of chasing and assertive behavior from established cichlids. Usually it dies down in a day or two, once the fish work out who's dominant. You can lessen this behavior by removing both fish, rearranging the tank, and adding them back at the same time. You can also add them both to a new tank at the same time so that you level the playing field, so to speak.

Generally, blue acaras are not terribly aggressive and your severum should be fine as long as it has places to hide and recover from the stress of being rehomed. You can also feed your acara, then turn the lights out and leave them in a dark room overnight so that the severum has time to relax.

If you see actual aggression (missing scales, fins, attacks, severum hanging in the upper corners of the tank) it'd be best to separate them.
 
Well the severum looks fine this morning. He is hiding, but no fin damage, missing scales or any scrapes. The acara is out and about as usual, but doesn't seem to be looking for or paying attention to the severum. There are tons of little hiding spots around the tank, so I think they will both be fine.

I overfed last night and my loaches' bellies tell the tale. LOL All 6 of their little stomachs are just puffed right out. No extra food for them for a couple days.


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So I did a water change because of the over feeding last night and I took the opportunity to rearrange the decor. As soon as the tank was full and running normal again, the severum came out and has been out ever since. The acara also calmed down a lot since the decor swap as well. I am very happy with the results. Thanks for the advice!


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I told he'd be like that :p don't add anymore cichlids to that tank you run the risk of them being killed

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I won't be adding anymore. My LFS doesn't sell the tapajos species of geos, but they can order them. So in 2 weeks I will order 4 of them and my cichlid collection will be complete. :) I am very glad the acara and sev get along well. It's a relief. With everyone starting out as juvies, I think they will all get along great.


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