General Cichlids Question

Iv only been keeping Cichlids for about half a year now but i know the basics.

Im just wondering are Cichlids ever aggressive towards Non-Cichlid fish? (south American and African Cichlids, iv no experience with others)

I keep 5 Jewel cichlids 4", 2 firemouths, and a green Terror 4-5". They completey ignore my other fish,, Only aggression was when my jewels had fry...(Online they say reomove other fish from tank) Is this always the case with cichlids? I'm not counting fish small enough for them to eat !

I also have a red tailed shark who boss's all my cichlids around n they ignore him! i thought they might go for other territorial fish but they only pay attention to each other.

I realize my Green Terror will grow quite big, and my Jewels and firemouths should be fine with him. But will he still igonore my other fish,,, barbs, loaches, pleco,, ect.. nothing bite size... i heard of cichlids killing barbs and other fish ect.. but its always cases of a 2 small tank or they added them when the cichlid was big....

Another question... do Cichlids tend to be less aggressive to fish they have grown up with... (Compatible fish). I tried to add a new fish,,, a SAE.. and my jewels tore him up I already have 5 SAE same size in the tank and my Jewels ignore them.

There is very little info on mixing (aggressive) cichlids with larger community fish in a big tank where the Cichlids have there own territory...

Hi Alex,

In my experience, Cichlids, especially the Terror will be aggressive towards non cichlids as well as each other. The Jewels are particularly aggressive when breeding. Your Firemouths can reach 7" and the Terror potentialy 8 or 9". Whether the Terror is a male or not it will eventually become aware that it is an intimidating force in the tank and can "turn" and live up to its name. Your Firemouths and Terror will eventually get big enough to see the small barbs as prey. The question of whether or not they stay peaceful if they grow up together is an ongoing debate but I wouldnt put much faith in it from my own experiences. Most Cichlids will defend their fry vigorously and become very aggressive. You may get away with it with the Jewels as they are in a tank with bigger fish so would be weary of brining attention on themselves but if you decide you want to breed Terrors then I strongly suggest you set up a dedicated tank for them.

Some folks have had succes mixing aggressive cichlids. The Firemouths and Terrors make good tankmates sometimes. I myself kept Oscars, a Terror(Male), a Convict(Male) and a Green Severum in a tank together for a long time until I saw bite marks on some of my fish. I turned off the lights in the room and watched the tank until I saw the culprit...the Severum!! This guy was kicking the cr@p out of a Terror and two Oscars!! That said, he was a bit bigger then...not the case now and I doubt he would last 30 secs with them now. In my opinion, South American Cichlids are one of the best aspects of this hobby. I will always have them somewhere in the house. My first Oscar (Homer) first Bday is coming up and Im fattening up crickets for him . No other fish Ive kept gets this kinda treatment .

Jay

Thanks for clearing that up. Im pretty sure the GT is a female... Ill keep an eye on her. I know what u mean,,, I feel like getting rid of all my fish n having a tank full of oscars or GT's. Wud a 5.5-6 inch Denison barb be considered prey.... only fish im worried about.

Unlikely at that size, but may get a beating. That said, he could do fine. SA Cichlids like Oscars are intelligent fish and each have their own personalities as well as their natural trends. Just keep an eye on things.

Jay