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I've got a 55-gallon tank with a mix of African cichlids, mostly Mbunas. Noticed some aggression lately, especially during feeding. Any tips to calm them down without rearranging the whole setup?

Mbunas can be pretty territorial. What's your current feeding routine? Maybe try spreading the food out more so they're not all fighting over one spot.

Yep, Mbunas are little drama queens. I've had luck with sinking pellets so they're not all rushing the surface. Also, adding more hiding spots with rocks or driftwood might help, even if you don't wanna rescape the whole thing.

Bakero wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 2:00 am Yep, Mbunas are little drama queens. I've had luck with sinking pellets so they're not all rushing the surface. Also, adding more hiding spots with rocks or driftwood might help, even if you don't wanna rescape the whole thing.

I agree with Bakero. More hiding spots can reduce stress. What's your tank's current rock layout like?

I've got a similar issue with my Peacocks. They're not as aggressive as Mbunas, but still get feisty. I started feeding them smaller amounts more frequently, and it's helped a bit. Maybe worth a shot?

Aggression in cichlids is often about territory. If you can't add more decor, try adjusting the lighting. Dimming it slightly can sometimes chill them out. Also, what's your water temp? Higher temps can make them more active, sometimes aggressive.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll try the sinking pellets and maybe add a few more rocks. Temp's at 78°F, so I'll keep an eye on that too.

Lunamyst wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 3:45 am Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll try the sinking pellets and maybe add a few more rocks. Temp's at 78°F, so I'll keep an eye on that too.

Good call. Let us know how it goes. Sometimes it's just trial and error with these guys.

78°F is solid, but yeah, tweaking small things can make a big difference. Also, if you're using flakes, switch to pellets. Less mess, less frenzy. Just my two cents.

Bakero wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 4:12 am 78°F is solid, but yeah, tweaking small things can make a big difference. Also, if you're using flakes, switch to pellets. Less mess, less frenzy. Just my two cents.

Totally agree on the pellets. Flakes just dissolve too fast and make the water nasty if they're not eaten right away.