Concerns Over My Recently Purchased Bolivian Rams?

[totally tropical]

I have just purchased 6 juvenile Bolivian Rams in order to possibly breed at a later date - my tank has been very peaceful up to this point, but the rams are already having a good old scrap, not just the odd one, but practically all are at each other's throats. I am used to this sort of cichlid behaviour as I kept Malawis for 2 years. Anyhow, through various research I expected them to be pretty peaceful until a pair would be formed, but their is already in-fighting. They do not show any aggression to other tank mates.

My other point of concern is that although only purchased the other day, they are not feeding. I have gave them tubifex, mosquito larvae, flake etc, but they are just ignoring food, letting other tank mates take the lot - they are not intimidated by my other fish i.e. keyhole cichlids, red line torpedo barbs, clown loach etc. Maybe they are just settling in, but they seem happy enough to knock ten bells out of each other!

Any ideas, suggestions on either of my two concerns?

Thank you.

 

[shane87]

ey might just be making a peckin order .. the strongest one wins and becomes the alpha male type one......my ram has been in my tank for a week now and is only just started to come out...they are mini eartheaters so i doubt they'l be goin to the surface for food, mine eat all the catfish pellets i throw in for the corys, they might just need to watc the other fish eat to build up the confidence of goin and gettin the food

 

[ALW]

They are establishing a pecking order. Feeding wise they may not eat for a few day once introduced into a new tank so i wouldn't worry yet.

 

[JA5ON]

had mine just over a week now and they r just startin to come right up to the top for food

 

[SBL]

Well, 6 at one time. They are goin' at eachother right now cause of them all introduced at the same time. If you did one or two a day that would let them establish it better cause, first male and female put in would take control and the others added at different times makes them know as soon as they get in the tank where they are in the pecking order.

 

[totally tropical]

Well, 6 at one time. They are goin' at eachother right now cause of them all introduced at the same time. If you did one or two a day that would let them establish it better cause, first male and female put in would take control and the others added at different times makes them know as soon as they get in the tank where they are in the pecking order.

They have more or less settled now so am very pleased - never had these type fish before and noted that at almost always present swim at the very lower reaches of the aquarium and only on the very odd occasion one or two may swim in the middle, have never seen swim near the top so am feeding them accordingly.

They are simply stunning fish that have a wonderful posture especially when aggressive!

Cheers for all your help