Angry Zebra Chilumba!

[thehogsters]

This Chilumba (Luwino Reef) never stops. This is the third one I got from the same LFS in Tampa. The first one killed itself non stop chasing the secon one I got.:hmm:
I moved and killed most my fish including the second. Now the Third was bought when I re stocked my tank after the move 2 years ago. He is the best looking fish in the tank but never stops kicking ass. Funy thing is all the others are so scared of him no real damage is done from him because they runn like hell.
Now the real problem is with the other 2 big males - one Red Zebra and one Snow White. The Red Zebra has almost killed the other Red Zebra twice and the Snow White bites every one else.
Should I try to introduce more females or what?

[StructureGuy]

I've never kept the zebra chilumba myself, but I've heard that they are one of the most aggressive zebras.

Kevin

[SGypsyMermaid]

do you have any rocks in the tank? can you post a pic? you might benefit from more "furniture" to break up sight lines and provide cover.

[Jmerk]

Females may help ease the aggression.

[why_spyder]

How are you for numbers of fish in the tank? Females can help, but sometimes other measures can be taken.

For me, overstocking pays off big time. It has really allowed me to keep a few species together that may not ordinarily work (Ps. demasoni and Ps. saulosi together). If you do go for overstocking - be sure you have some great filters and do plenty of waterchanges.

[kay-bee]

If this is the current stocking of your tank: 100gal. African Tank - Zebra Chilumba, Yellow Labs (2), Red Zebras (2), Snow Whites (2), Red Jewels (2), Neon jewel, Chilumba/Snow White babies (10 and counting), Blue peacock?, Brass Colored ?, bumble bee?, Blue ?

...then you don't have many mbunas (100gal tank with 8 mbuna's, excluding the babies). The non-mbuna's (in my opinion) don't count as far as the zebra's ambitions are concerned.

I recommend re-orientating the make up of your stock so that it is all-mbuna, then TRIPLE the quantity of mbuna's you have (to include 4-6 female zebra chilumba's). The relatively low quantity of mbuna's can have an empowering effect on the zebra's aggressive nature.

I've got a bunch of chilumba zebra's and greater numbers really help out. Having several other fish of similar aggression potential may assist in balancing the zebra's 'authority' in the tank.

As you can tell by my avatar, this species is one of my favorites. I'm also in Tampa, by the way.

[SNAILOS]

Should I try to introduce more females or what?

:)

[thehogsters]

These darn fish are so hard to ID. I think the Chilumba is a Elongatus Mphanga since he as no orange under his mouth. His tail is orange/yellow though. Either way he is mean as hell. I found my male snow white ripped to shreads last week.:bawl: My Red Zebra killed the other one the week before. :(
Atleast my new jewel will fight Elongatus and not wimp out like all the others.

[SNAILOS]

THE BEST ADVICE THAT I CAN GIVE IS TO STUDY YOUR FISH IN ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY LIKE AND WHAT THEY DON'T LIKE.THERE IS A SEA OF INFORMATION OUT THERE.
Have you tried RUSTIE'S manual it is insane on that side of things , i have picked up some nice tricks from him.