I have 9 cichlids and they've all been living together comfortably for the last couple of months. It's a 55g tank with sand substrate.
* Cynotilapia afra
* convict
* 2 buttikoferi
* 2 texas cichlids
* Electric Yellow Cichlid
* 1 unknown mbuna
* orange blotch
Anyways, I'm starting to notice something that is starting to worry me. My cynotilapia afra hangs out in a cave on the left side of the tank. Up until now, he's been patrolling that area and doesnt leave unless he has to eat. All the other fishes hang out on the right side and in the center of the tank. No one fish is really stress out and I dont see much fighting or someone getting chased around.
However, the past few weeks I've noticed my one buttikoferi "patrolling" the cave where my cynotilapia afra hangs out. My cynotilapia afra does his part by chasing the buttikoferi away. I notice sand hanging on the side of this cave and the buttikoferi pecks at the sand. I also notice a buildup of sand inside this cave. Now to the orange blotch, I noticed him/her chasing people away the other fishes that come towards the center of the tank.
Having said this, is it just a territorial thing or is something else going on? All the other fishes seem to patrol the right side of the tank.
* Cynotilapia afra
* convict
* 2 buttikoferi
* 2 texas cichlids
* Electric Yellow Cichlid
* 1 unknown mbuna
* orange blotch
Anyways, I'm starting to notice something that is starting to worry me. My cynotilapia afra hangs out in a cave on the left side of the tank. Up until now, he's been patrolling that area and doesnt leave unless he has to eat. All the other fishes hang out on the right side and in the center of the tank. No one fish is really stress out and I dont see much fighting or someone getting chased around.
However, the past few weeks I've noticed my one buttikoferi "patrolling" the cave where my cynotilapia afra hangs out. My cynotilapia afra does his part by chasing the buttikoferi away. I notice sand hanging on the side of this cave and the buttikoferi pecks at the sand. I also notice a buildup of sand inside this cave. Now to the orange blotch, I noticed him/her chasing people away the other fishes that come towards the center of the tank.
Having said this, is it just a territorial thing or is something else going on? All the other fishes seem to patrol the right side of the tank.