I seem to remember reading that Severums can hold their own with Os, therefore made 'perhaps' suitable tank mates. We know any pairing with an aggressive fish has to observed. They are all individuals. There may yet be peace. The cichlids are intelligent, and it may be possible that the recent bullying by Brick may still be fresh. It may be happening also when you are at work.
I think it is cool that Boss and Chip have formed an alliance of sorts. The way my set up is now, all the aggressive fish are in tanks with calm fish that can hold their own or are in tanks by themselves because of their super aggression to any tankmate tried so far. I might try pairing the Yo-yo loaches with each of 2 of my most aggressive cichlids. They seem to hold there own standing up to a somewhat aggressive, very large angelfish. I can't be there though to watch them every moment with the very large cichlids. The Yo-yos are very fast and a slither in cave entrance would help, but I would want them to have some quality of life.
With your community tank I wonder if another fish like you were thinking about might be yet another distraction (good) . I found in some cases the tried and true bigger crowd is better for aggression diversion, but not always.
I am sorry I forgot why you got the phosguard. Phosphate spike because? I checked back a way back on the thread, but couldn't find the pertinent post.
The presoak and refrigerate method I have been doing recently too, before knowledge of you doing it. I have some new Tetra Veggie Wafers that are a little hard and won't dissovle quickly, but better than their previous stuff which was like fossilized dinosaur dung. I soak, drain and refrigerate and the fish still readily eat it after a day or so. Before the soak they wouldn't and couldn't eat it.
I'm thinking of maybe a chocolate cichlid, or even another bp. Still going over the "last piece" fish. Brick is turning into a "benevolent dictator". He knows he's the biggest fish in the tank (and still going, good grief). He'll basically relax/play in his area, then roam the tank to 'remind' everyone. Chip gets most of it since Boss now stays in his area but comes out to eat. So Brick will randomly go at Chip. Chip darts away but comes right back or circles around. A couple of times I've seen him following the O like he might make a move. Or he seems at times to try and 'buddy up' its hard to tell. At times they sleep together.
Brick isn't a vicious or mean O, but he has his ugly moments and likes being a bully. He actually plays more recently, enjoying the filter intakes, bubblers, and waterfall. He never did this when he was small. He pretty much ignores Rex at this point. Still likes his head pats and body tickles.
As far as the other fish go, it's all about Brick's mood. Generally tolerant. However, he still is cautious around Boss' area. What makes it bizarre is that Boss darts from him now in open water unless they're eating. But if they fight he still owns the O and runs him off...nothing about those two makes sense to me. Rex is starting to put on size...he hides a lot more now with so many places to explore. But at times he comes out and skitters everywhere. He eats so much he can't make it to the top. Pretty funny watching him waggle and strain, it takes three tries before he can make it to the surface. Then he sinks like a stone. Chip is notably growing too, which is good. He'll need all the weight he can get if he plans to take on Brick. Right now he just bounces off a battleship. Battleship is currently undefeated vs Severum.
So the rundown goes like this:
Rex (Syno) is cool with everyone. He and Chip (Sev) squabble a bit , but it's minimal. Swims under the others at times and annoys them. Wisely takes off when he sees the O's gob up close. Boss chases him away at times.
Chip (Sev) is intimidated by Boss (BP) and fearless with Brick (O). Makes futile attempts at the O off and on. Flees defensively but doesn't panic. Tried to take on the BP once and got pasted. They are pretty neutral until the BP tires of company.
Boss (BP) is still my most unpredictable and "kooky" BP. Always been the most reclusive parrot. Overpowers Brick (O) in the corner one minute then runs from him the next. Is there a parrot shrink in the house? Now that he has his space he's content to hang there 85-90 percent of the time. He's really a loner but seems to be okay with Chip now as long as the severum makes no aggressive moves.
Had an annoying brown algae 'war' that showed no signs of stopping. It started about 2 months ago. Nothing I tried kept it controlled at all (w/c, cleaning, reduced light). Then I got outbreaks in the 40s as well. I'll be posting up a thread about what I've done that really seemed to get the "brownouts" under control. Phosguard helped get the process started. According to the directions it takes about four days to see results. I used it after a large w/c and cleanout and saw a difference in two. One thing I noticed was that once I got the first brown 'bloom' they would recur ever 2-4 days, especially in the 40s.
