Old fish trying to kill the new fish

[mchad]

I know, I know. It is very difficult to put new fish into an established tank. All my fish mostly have grown up together since about 1 to 1.5 inches. About half of them are not full size yet. I got a new yellow lab and a new blue dolphin to try to help with aggression among those particular species with a better harem ratio.

I also have a killer dragon blood (he's king), a small red empress, a still growing red top zebra, 3 yellow labs, 3 still growing blue dolphins, a still growing bristlenose pleco, and a still growing Raphael cat.

So the new blue dolphin was originally in the corner by itself. It would not eat. Was being chased and nipped by the other blue dolphins like crazy. It has finally looked better. The new blue dolphin is now eating with the others. It at least is with the group for a decent amount of the time. It does still go by itself at times. Has been in the tank for about 2.5 weeks now.

The new yellow lab was getting chased but ate fine for a little one and stayed with the group. However, last week she has a red bite mark on her side. That was healing. Now last night, I noticed another red bite mark on the top of her head. I could be wrong, but from what I can see...I assume her own species is doing that to her. Is this just the other fish getting used to her or is she going to be in trouble?

I count all the fish every time I get home from work because my other fish are jerks and who knows if they may have killed something. Life of a cichlid owner...

 

[tlindsey]

I know, I know. It is very difficult to put new fish into an established tank. All my fish mostly have grown up together since about 1 to 1.5 inches. About half of them are not full size yet. I got a new yellow lab and a new blue dolphin to try to help with aggression among those particular species with a better harem ratio.

I also have a killer dragon blood (he's king), a small red empress, a still growing red top zebra, 3 yellow labs, 3 still growing blue dolphins, a still growing bristlenose pleco, and a still growing Raphael cat.

So the new blue dolphin was originally in the corner by itself. It would not eat. Was being chased and nipped by the other blue dolphins like crazy. It has finally looked better. The new blue dolphin is now eating with the others. It at least is with the group for a decent amount of the time. It does still go by itself at times. Has been in the tank for about 2.5 weeks now.

The new yellow lab was getting chased but ate fine for a little one and stayed with the group. However, last week she has a red bite mark on her side. That was healing. Now last night, I noticed another red bite mark on the top of her head. I could be wrong, but from what I can see...I assume her own species is doing that to her. Is this just the other fish getting used to her or is she going to be in trouble?

I count all the fish every time I get home from work because my other fish are jerks and who knows if they may have killed something. Life of a cichlid owner...

You may have to remove her or the aggressor. I agree with the Cichlid statement but African Cichlids a whole new level.

 

[Gourami Swami]

It's hard for us to say from the narrative provided what will happen... it might be fine and she'll get settled in, or she might be killed. With Africans, it's better in my experience to do larger groups of less species, than to do a couple specimens of many species. The fish tend to keep their aggression within their group that way. With that said, three yellow labs is not enough of a group to spread aggression within, the "lowest" lab on the totem pole is going to get the brunt of the aggression.
What size tank is this btw?

 

[mchad]

110 gallon

 

[Gourami Swami]

I would get some more labs, that's not many African cichlids for a 110 gallon and whoever is on the bottom of the pecking order is going to get beaten up. I would get at least three more yellow labs and see if that helps.

 

[mattison187]

You sure the "bite mark" isnt an ulcer? Very common in mbuna due to bacterial infections. Reason i ask, is you said its a new addition to your tank and could have been harboring something. I had a similar situation some years back where a newer added mbuna got what appeared to be a wound. And it turned out to be a bacterial outbreak that cost me a few fish when it was all said and done.

 

[mchad]

You sure the "bite mark" isnt an ulcer? Very common in mbuna due to bacterial infections. Reason i ask, is you said its a new addition to your tank and could have been harboring something. I had a similar situation some years back where a newer added mbuna got what appeared to be a wound. And it turned out to be a bacterial outbreak that cost me a few fish when it was all said and done.

I originally thought this fish had ich. My fault for looking at google pics. I asked a reputable fish store where I did not buy the fish to look at the fish for me. She did notice the first mark and thought it was a bite mark. The first mark is healing, so I'm hoping that's a good sign. It is almost non existent. The 2nd wound or mark is very noticeable. I definitely have my eye on it either way, but really hope it's not an infection. I like my fish even though they are problem children.

 

[mchad]

So, the new yellow lab is healing with her 2nd wound. One of the older yellow labs had a wound appear on her side. I am 100% convinced this is from biting. Especially, since the wounds are not getting worse and heal to the point of not being noticeable.

I'm a little confused on who the culprit maybe. Since it is only happening with the yellow labs, I assume the dominant male yellow lab. However, find it odd that one of the more established ones has a new wound.

Have never noticed bite marks like this on any of the fish before. I have definitely seen them attempt to bite or messed up fins from nipping, but never wounds.

Everyone else seems to be intact.

 

[mchad]

So, now an older blue dolphin has a bite mark. The 2 yellow labs are healing. Really can barely tell. I would say in the next day or so, they will look like nothing happened. They're Africans, so I don't expect them to be nice. However, when does all this biting become an issue? And are they biting within their own kind? I still haven't been able to catch the act so to speak. The blue dolphins are very nippy in general, at least mine are. Just not quite sure why all the sudden we are finding bite marks now.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Mbuna need to live in a group to distribute aggression, if there aren't enough of them, when one fish is getting chased the aggressor doesn't get distracted, and follows through with the attack. May not be the only problem, but I would get some more mbuna (labs or zebras) and see if that helps.