| The tropical African Cichlid is an aggressive fish | | | | Keeping two males together may lead to a fight |
| that has a long life span. Their aggression has | | | | especially when they want to mate and this is |
| done little to put enthusiasts off keeping them, | | | | similar to keeping incompatible species together. |
| they are favored for freshwater aquarium setups | | | | Cichlid fish, especially the males can get |
| all around the world. Put a couple of cichlids into a | | | | aggressive if they are underfed.They are |
| tank and one of them will start to dominate. It is | | | | territorial and in some cases will fight till death. |
| probably the first thing the cichlid beginner learns, | | | | African Cichlids can be described as the most |
| Cichlids are aggressive. | | | | revered,if no misunderstood fish family in the |
| Aggressive Cichlids behave this way for many a | | | | hobby of keeping aquariums. |
| number of reasons. It can happen when another | | | | The violent nature of Cichlids; there are some |
| fish encroaches into their territory or tries to steal | | | | very aggressive species of Cichlids but there are |
| food or a potential mate. In such cases, a cichlid | | | | also the softer types which get along happy in a |
| will show its aggression by flaring its gills and | | | | tank. |
| spreading its fins to make it look as large as | | | | Aggressive Cichlids can be relatively kept in peace |
| possible. If the other fish isn't deterred yet, the | | | | if provided with a proper environment because |
| fish may progress to mad tail beating which is a | | | | they do not fight due to their violent nature or |
| way a cichlid attempts to show its strength by | | | | manner, but rather due to a response of a |
| pushing water at its rival in order to throw them | | | | perceived threat to their breeding or feeding |
| off the fight. | | | | territories. |
| This can and will escalate into a face-to-face | | | | Some people believe they have to be fed live fish |
| combat, which includes mouth wrestling and lip | | | | which simply is not true. The ideal diet is home or |
| locking and, finally, chasing each other in a circle | | | | commercially prepared foods due to the selection |
| and attempting to bite the other. | | | | of the ideal protein content. |