Aggression dilution: peace in numbers

[swaldron@slip.net (Steven J. Waldron)]

Ed wrote:
>In keeping territorial cichlids, you can use two strategies,  underload
>the tank so there is plenty of room for each one or pair to establish
>territory, or crowd them to the point where either none, or the most
>aggressive, can hold territory.  In the second scenario, the aggression
>of the dominant fish will be dispersed over the group, and none of the
>members of the groups are likely to sustain any significant damage.

Right, I am well experienced with these phenomena (remember I used to work
for a cichlid wholesaler in the South Bay). The curious thing to me, is
that in Justin's Apisto tanks at least- some successful reproduction is
occurring. I always assumed that fry would be gobbled up in over-crowded
tank or  maternal brooding females overstressed and perhaps would not take
care of their fry well, etc. I am wondering about the densities of apistos
in the wild- perhaps they are more dense and communal than commonly
thought? Though this would vary with species and habitat. Also some species
seem more apt to tolerate successive generations of babies, and
multignerations are allowed to "stack-up"  much like Neolamprologus
brichardi. A good example would be that often over-looked late bloomer,
Apisto. eunotus- I at one time had a 1:2 trio, 4 generations going in the
tank: wrigglers to have grown fish, the parents showed little or no
aggression towards the older offspring. An interesting display
tank...Hmmm...Justin did have some nice eunotus...
- - Steve