Proper Tank Mates For Elvis

I currently have multiple tanks. My husband helps feed my fish habit in a bad way. My whole life I've always had a friendly community tank. Well my husband fell in love with Elvis and kept saying how he wanted to own him. After seeing him in the lfs for months all by himself. My husband said Elvis told him he had to come home with us. Now my problem. He brought him home so he wouldn't be lonely yet he doesn't get along with any other fish. He will chase everyone to the point they have no energy, he even tries to intimidated my other tanks I'm had to black out the sides of his tank so he can't see them. Is he just a jerk who wants to be alone. Or what could I try.

 

What is Elvis?

p.s. you might wanna edit and take out the cuss word, it's not allowed in any shape or form on here, just fyi. They're strict about it

Edit: So cool that you spell your name Rachael, my sister's is the same. She gets frustrated when no one spells it right lol.

 

What sized tank?

Is Elvis an African chiclid?

 

Yes he is an African cichlid.

 

Yes he is an African cichlid.

Who is Elvis's tank mates and as stated above tank size? Those 2 things are a huge factor for African Cichlids. Sounds like your experiencing typical behaviour from him. As far as wanting to be alone, No He doesn't want to be alone, he just wants to be the boss.

 

HI he's in a 55gal long tank. I've tried him with another African cichlid he chased him to the point of exhaustion I've turd him with a full grown rainbow shark same thing. I had my 20 tall community tank next to his and he would stare at them and butt the tank when he sees them. Like u said he was in the store for over 3 months all by himself.

 

Who is Elvis's tank mates and as stated above tank size? Those 2 things are a huge factor for African Cichlids. Sounds like your experiencing typical behaviour from him. As far as wanting to be alone, No He doesn't want to be alone, he just wants to be the boss.

I'm Not the OP. I'm just stating what kind of cichlid he is.

 

What is Elvis?

p.s. you might wanna edit and take out the cuss word, it's not allowed in any shape or form on here, just fyi. They're strict about it

Edit: So cool that you spell your name Rachael, my sister's is the same. She gets frustrated when no one spells it right lol.

I'm sorry for the bad language just didn't know any other way of putting it. He is an electric blue hap. I feel your sisters pain only place I've been able to fine anything with my named spelled correctly is in Boston Massachusetts during st.patties day.

 

I'm sorry for the bad language just didn't know any other way of putting it. He is an electric blue hap. I feel your sisters pain only place I've been able to fine anything with my named spelled correctly is in Boston Massachusetts during st.patties day.

Doesn't bother me! I just know certain things have been taken down because of language. Some of the buckeye stores around Ohio State has things with her name spelled correctly, but other than that she's never found it.

 

So lucky I've worked for a company where my name tag was spelled one way pay checks spelled another and w2's spelled Rochelle I was so confused about who I was

I'm Not the OP. I'm just stating what kind of cichlid he is.

African

 

African

I know he is

 

I'm sorry for the bad language just didn't know any other way of putting it. He is an electric blue hap. I feel your sisters pain only place I've been able to fine anything with my named spelled correctly is in Boston Massachusetts during st.patties day.

I live 15 min outside Boston. St Patty's day in town is always fun. Lol.

 

HI he's in a 55gal long tank. I've tried him with another African cichlid he chased him to the point of exhaustion I've turd him with a full grown rainbow shark same thing. I had my 20 tall community tank next to his and he would stare at them and butt the tank when he sees them. Like u said he was in the store for over 3 months all by himself.

They are going to chase, it's what they do, I'm going to take it that this is your first African Cichlid? So first take a deep breathe. Lol. They are allot different than community fish. All his behaviour is typical dominate male behaviour. Even hitting the glass at the other tank, just make sure it has a cover, they are very good at jumping. Lol. He needs other tank mates but with him you can't add just one. I'd personally add 3 or 4, of the same type of fish, not Mbuna, I'd go a Peacocks. Haps really need more than 55 gallon and roughly the same size. Take him out and rearrange your tank and then add all of them at once. Creates an even playing field. Right now that 55 gallon is his tank and whatever is added is invading his territory and his instinct is to chase others away or some will kill. So you have to take him out and even better add him last. Africans will keep you on your toes but they are hardy fish and very smart.

 

I have a peacock she's half his size and until she grows I don't feel comfortable adding her yet. My kids find him funny he makes intimidating faces at them when we eat dinner his tank in in my dinning room.

 

Thank you for your advice hes a vary head scratching fish but we love the king

 

Should always have 3/4 females to 1 Male and never add a single one, unless of course you know your fish very well and are watching with a net and extra tank. Just an FYI the faces he does make (which I'm guessing is opening his mouth really wide,flashing, flaring ect.) Those are all things males do to show dominance,who's bigger, warming signs the list goes on. Long story short they maybe funny but he's doing it because he's either stressed or angry. I moved my tank downstairs just because they are so aware of the outside world, it was stressing them out to be in the center of the house and when they are stressed it almost always makes them more aggressive and violent towards tankmates.
I'm also not trying to say what's right what's wrong. All is from my experiences since owning them. I inherited 3 a few years ago and it's a never ending learning experience but it makes it allot of fun and addicting. I went from 1 tank to 6 in less than a year. Lol. Good luck

I have a peacock she's half his size and until she grows I don't feel comfortable adding her yet. My kids find him funny he makes intimidating faces at them when we eat dinner his tank in in my dinning room.

 

Thanks so much. I never thought I would ever take care of an aggressive fish I've always dealt with community fish. I have a hard time locally finding information on him other then feeding and water conditions. Joys of living in a small town. I've been covering his tank with a dark sheet when the house becomes chaotic it seems to help him I can't move him to the basement since I have a shared basement and don't trust my neighbor.