fish attack

Question
I have an orange fish which I assume is swordtail species, another red swordtail, and four other small fish I don't know the name of (two are see through).  For over a year these fish have lived with about 15 yellow cichlids with no problems.  Unfortunately my yellows all died due to a power outage, the others survived. About 4 months ago we bought 2 blue, 3 yellow, and a black/yellowish, cichlids.
They have done fine up until now.  One of the blue fish died a week ago (stuck to filter).  Now the one remaining blue fish is picking on, nipping at the orange fish, whom is actually the biggest fish in the tank.  It's causing a white patch on both sides of the orange and he's so exhausted he just lays on the bottom or tries to hide.  We've taken him out for now,so he can rest but the other redtail doesn't seem as active now.  I was just wondering if an aquarium divider would do the trick or should I get another blue cichlid and see if that works?  Or if you have any other ideas it would be much appreciated.  I have a 33gallon tank, all water parameters are good except nitrite/nitrate and I working on correcting that now.

Answer
Hi Tammy,
  I do not see why getting another blue cichlid will help.  Your fish will likely kill that one almost immediately -- he will see it as a competitor.  
  A tank divider would be a good way to go.

BTW, the other fish that died most likely was killed before it got stuck to the filter.  A healthy fish never gets stuck on a filter.

Basically, your blue cichlid is maturing and has decided that the entire tank is his territory and he is aiming to clear it out of all interlopers.


-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>