Firemouth and acara

[Dyl123]

I have a young Firemouth in my tank and I have just introduced a new blue acara, the Firemouth already has its own territory on one side of the tank and the acara seems to stay around an area with a few pieces of bog wood on the opposite side of the tank, I have noticed that the Firemouth has been very shy and stays in his cave since I’ve had him but he has now started to go and chase the acara, is this a normal reaction from firemouths to new fish or should I keep an eye on him and think of removing him?

 

[Metalhead88]

Firemouths can be very shy.

Give him clean water, high quality foods, and water change weekly and he'll be healthy.

 

[Metalhead88]

The firemouth has already set up his territories. This is his rank. The chasing is certainly something to monitor. You can add caves and plants to break the line of sight.
A little chasing is normal, but if a fish is being relentlessly chased around and cannot defend itself, he needs to be rehomed or will die from injury or stress.

Are both fish about the same size?

 

[Dyl123]

The firemouth has already set up his territories. This is his rank. The chasing is certainly something to monitor. You can add caves and plants to break the line of sight.
A little chasing is normal, but if a fish is being relentlessly chased around and cannot defend itself, he needs to be rehomed or will die from injury or stress.

Are both fish about the same size?

The acara is about 2/3 the firemouths size

 

[Colin_T]

Normally when you introduce new cichlids into an aquarium that already contains cichlids, you rearrange the decorations to break up the established territories and the new fish has more chance of settling in. Alternatively, add all the cichlids to the tank at the same time so none have a home town advantage.

 

[Dyl123]

Normally when you introduce new cichlids into an aquarium that already contains cichlids, you rearrange the decorations to break up the established territories and the new fish has more chance of settling in. Alternatively, add all the cichlids to the tank at the same time so none have a home town advantage.

Ok Thankyou for the advice

 

[Salty&Onion]

Hi, its me Sprinkle from AC. I already told you not to get more cichlids to your tank, but alright, its your choice I originally wanted to get acara too from my lfs, but they sell themselves real good
I agree with @Colin_T , you've got to break up their already established territory whenever you see any of them hiding and guarding their territories, so they won't cause you more trouble. I have done the same things with my pair of convict cichlids and they have been mellow and docile towards their tank mates ever since. Good luck!

 

[Dyl123]

Hi, its me Sprinkle from AC. I already told you not to get more cichlids to your tank, but alright, its your choice I originally wanted to get acara too from my lfs, but they sell themselves real good
I agree with @Colin_T , you've got to break up their already established territory whenever you see any of them hiding and guarding their territories, so they won't cause you more trouble. I have done the same things with my pair of convict cichlids and they have been mellow and docile towards their tank mates ever since. Good luck!

I have rearranged the caves and wood in the tank and used plants for more hiding spaces, the Firemouth has slowed down a bit but still chases, I’ll see how it works

 

[Salty&Onion]

I have rearranged the caves and wood in the tank and used plants for more hiding spaces, the Firemouth has slowed down a bit but still chases, I’ll see how it works

Okay, if this is not gonna work out you will either have separate them or rehome the acara. With some cichlids its just not gonna work out.

 

[Dyl123]

Okay, if this is not gonna work out you will either have separate them or rehome the acara. With some cichlids its just not gonna work out.

Are blue Acaras just as territorial when they settle in or not?

 

[Salty&Onion]

Are blue Acaras just as territorial when they settle in or not?

Any cichlids are

 

[Crispii]

Cichlids will be cichlids. They may or may not show aggression.

 

[Salty&Onion]

Cichlids will be cichlids. They may or may not show aggression.

I totally agree! I learn most things about cichlids from my convicts!

 

[Colin_T]

blue acaras and fire mouths have similar temperaments.

 

[Metalhead88]

These 2 fish are normally great tankmates.

As you are experiencing, all cichlids have their own personality and sometimes things just don't work.

Can you post a video or at least explain more of what is going on? Is the Firemouth nipping at the fins as well as chasing?

My experience with Firemouths is that they flare up their gills and try to look big and mean, but are more bark than bite.