How to Handle a Dominant Cichlid

Cichlids are widely known among aquarium hobbyists for being aggressive. In tanks where more than one male is present, one of the males usually establishes dominance and the other becomes subordinate. Dominant male cichlids typically exhibit enhanced coloration and receive more attention from females in the tank. These fish can also become aggressive and antagonistic toward other fish, especially other males, in the tank. Removing a dominant male cichlid from the tank will not solve this problem, but there are several things you can do to make the presence of a dominant male cichlid easier on your other fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Female cichlids
  • Fish food
  • Live plants
  • Rocks
  • Caves
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Instructions

  1. Remove Threats to Dominance

    • 1

      Remove conspecifics from the tank that may compete with the dominant male cichlid for food or territory. Conspecifics are fish having a similar appearance either in color or pattern.

    • 2

      Stock your tank with a variety of species of fish. Having a variety of fish in the tank may reduce interspecies aggression. Dominant male cichlids are less likely to feel threatened by other species than by males of their own species.

    • 3

      Keep at least two female cichlids for each male in the tank. Male cichlids become particularly aggressive during mating so providing two females for each male is a simple way to distribute the male's aggression.

    • 4

      Feed your fish small amounts of fish food several times a day. If you offer food consistently throughout the day, the dominant male may feel less threatened by other fish. When the dominant male ceases to feel threatened by other fish, it may allow those fish to eat in peace rather than chasing them away from the food source.

    Reduce Aggressive Behaviors

    • 5

      Provide your cichlids with plenty of open swimming space. Keeping cichlids in a tank that is too small is likely to cause stress and the dominant male may feel that his territory is being threatened and become overly aggressive in response.

    • 6

      Decorate the tank with live plants, rocks and caves. These decorations will serve as hiding places for fish being targeted by the dominant male in your tank.

    • 7

      Lower the temperature in your cichlid tank. At lower tank temperatures, the metabolisms of your cichlids will slow down and they may display fewer aggressive behaviors as a result. Be aware of the preferred temperature range for your particular species of cichlid, however, and do not lower the temperature too far.

    • 8

      Separate breeding pairs from other tank mates during mating. Male cichlids become the most aggressive during mating and are likely to attack other fish that encroach upon the spawning site. It is best to spawn cichlids in a separate breeding tank where other fish will not be a threat.