agression

[lpiasente]

I have 6 males and 3 females in my tank. Things used to be nice but now they fight constantly. Is it because they are now all at breeding age and I have too many males or just because they are cichlids?

[Sicj]

What size tank do you have them in?

[swampy1972]

They're probably establishing their hierachy, so fighting for the Alpha position. If they're too crowded this won't help either.
Have you considered evening up the numbers of male to female or separating out the pairs? This may help.
Best of luck ;)

[lpiasente]

Most of these have been together for over a year. The tank is stocked to the max, 9 discus in a 450 litre. I am getting a 6x2x2 later on in the year. I really didn't want to part with any of my babies but if I need to move on a male or 2 then that's what I will have to do but I really would like to know if that is what would be causing the problem.

[m.ingram]

I know whats wrong some of them want to come and live with me ...

[lpiasente]

haha well I am thinking you can have the snakeskin????

[swampy1972]

The extra space should help, especially if planted so they have somewhere to get away from it. It really does sound like a bunch of young adolescent boys 'strutting their stuff'. If you can hold out till you get the bigger tank, a couple more females may give them something to take their mind off fighting ;)

[lpiasente]

BOYS :roll: haha