Rejected from the colony - Male on Female agression issue

[bpseoe]

Ok guys I need help/opinions asap. I recently purchased a colony of trophs. (Chaitikas) In the mix I was also given two brichardi ulwiles (1m/1f) which had been living all in harmony for over a year. Well ever since I introduced the colony into their new home the female ulwile has been getting chased and harassed non stop. I don't know why since they were all doing good together before I brought them home. I feel bad cause she's constantly being chased around mostly by the male. What can I do to stop this or is my only option to take her out. Thanks in advance

[FrontosaurusRex]

I dont have the experience with Trophs like a lot of people on here, but it kind of sounds like they are weeding out the "weak". Or they might just be establishing territories in their new home. My female was getting her butt kicked for a while but eventually everything calmed down and now they all live together just fine. I'm sure some Troph experts on here can help you out.

[bpseoe]

Before I brought em home they were all living together with no problems whatsoever. Before the dominant of the tank was a chaitika and now it seems like its the male ulwile who's trying to become boss. Should I just let things play out?

[newb]

things needed to better answer your question...what size tank? How many fish total? what kind of decorations/how much decoration or rocks? any extra flow in the tank...like powerheads?

[geoff_tropheus]

brichardi types are more agressive than most other moorii, and I would not suggest having less than about 20 fish when keeping a brichardi type.

You did not say how many Chaitika's you have, or what aquarium size was their "old" home and what is their "new" home size.

What is a problem sometimes with Trophs is that when you move them into new homes, what used to be the norm, is now been disrupted. They re-establish themselves, and then if the new home is larger, more males may try to take territory, if the new home is smaller, then males that used to have territory are now fighting for control.

Then there is always the mystery part..,. dont know how it really happens, but one day all hell can break loose after years even of the colony living harmoniously, then it all ends.

Regardless, having 1 male and 1 female in Trophs in general is not good, especially in a brichardi type.

Can you post a picture also of your decoration?

[bpseoe]

Thanks guys!
My tank set up is at follows:
Standard 125 gallon
Decorations: 70 to 80 lbs of holey rock w/ plenty of hiding holes and plenty of algae to graze on.
Filtration: 2x emperor 400's and a sealife system wet/dry w/ bio balls and 2 lrg. sponges for extra bio load. 2x penguin 1140's for circulation 2x rio 600's facing towards the surface for aeration.
Livestock: 29 trophs 2 of which are brichardi's all raging from 3 to 3.5"
Water changes is 50% once a week with water temp. being at a stable 79

[russ]

i also think you need quite a few more brichardi!

[bpseoe]

Ya I believe so too. But I'm trying to understand why this is happening if they were all doing awesome together before bringing them home.

I think I understand now tho:
Thanks you guys

So should I just let it play out and let them handle their business?

[newb]

probably that would be best...keep a close watch to make sure it doesnt get too bad. in the mean time...try to find some more ulwile

[cichlid1409]

did you move the rocks around when you introduced the new fish? this may help if you haven't already.

[bpseoe]

Yes I even took some out and added different shape and size ones back in. I'm thinking the male ulwile is just tryin to dominate the whole tank.

[Cesar]

you will have to move the fish when the nipped fins and body damage settles in, keep a close eye out.

[cichlid1409]

Yes I even took some out and added different shape and size ones back in. I'm thinking the male ulwile is just tryin to dominate the whole tank.

yep, like geoff said brichardi are very aggressive to other brichardi. i would go ahead and remove one or the other but its up to you.