Discus aggression

[Ron Hudson]

In my 125 gal I have 6 new discus that are fully grown out.  Beautiful fish but I admit I find it difficult to watch the ritual of of the pecking order development of cichlids!  Now 5 days in and one fish especially very aggressive.  Spreading food out to different areas of tank, still difficult to get food to all the fish.  I am wondering if increasing the number if fish to maybe 9 might dilute the aggression of my one bully?

[ThomasLC]

They usually say adding more does spread the aggression out.  Also fish stores will give you credit if you want to trade the bad bot out.

The Rainbow fish in my tank seem to show the most aggression between themselves. My Dicus just seem to peck each other out of the way, The Rainbow fish go into all out battle twisting and turning and chasing.  Vicious.  But it calms down after a bit.

[Jeff]

If you trade it out, I recommend getting 3 or four more. Adding one to an established group will, chances are, land you in the same situation as you're currently in.