Hemichromis Aggressive?

[peterK]

I have question:

Are all Hemichromis very aggressive?

Peter

 

[tjudy]

No... some are far more aggressive than others. Notably the larger piscivorous species H. elongatus, fasciatus and frempongi.

 

[Randall]

Aggressive Hemichromis? Nah!

Hello Peter,

Methinks Hemichromis species come in three behavioral grades: nasty, nastier, and nastiest. I agree with Ted in that by far the nastiest forms are H. elongatus, H. fasciatus, and H. frempongi, with H. fasciatus the nastiest of the nastiest.

The nastier species include H. bimaculatus, H. cerasogaster, H. guttatus, H. letourneauxi, H. lifalili, H. sp. "Guinea II," and H. stellifer, while the smaller garden variety nasty species include H. cristatus, H. sp. "Bangui," and H. sp. "Guinea I." I have no personal experience with H. sp. "Ankasa," so the jury is still out on that one.

Having consigned the entire genus to the nasties, it should be noted, however, that these smaller to midsized cichlids are not really more aggressive than other cichlids of comparable size. Given enough tank space, Hemichromis aggression is generally manageable (just don't put your hand in the tank when they are breeding).

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[Simon Morgan]

I have a single male H. stellifer. Without a female to impress or another male to fight, he's a soft as a kitten - and quite tame too.