botia loach question

Question
QUESTION: I've had a Pundamilia nyererei for 3 months now, I presently have him in a 20 gallon tank all by his lonesome, reason being is he gets the you know what beat out of him when I put him in my 60 gallon malawi tank. I have a male OB Peacock that is double his size and was really stressing him out so I had to take him out! My question is this is he fine in the 20 gallon?, He seems very happy and is showing his bright, beautiful colors. He's been in the tank for the last month, Also I've been wanting to know for quite a while why my 4 yr old male ob peacock is so aggressive. I currently have him, 2 female kenyi, 1 albino and 1 blue female zebra, 1 male yellow lab, 1 male ob zebra, 1 female auratus, 1 female electric blue johanni, a botia loach and a syndontis in the 60 gallon. He dominates every fish in the tank. Considering how aggressive some of these other fish are is this abnormal? He beats up the kenyi and the auratus. Aren't peacocks supposed to be less aggressive or is mine just psycho, lol.

ANSWER: Hi Doug,

Your Pundamilia is going to be extremely aggressive when it grows up.  If you pair him with a mate, watch them, but meantime, the 20 gallon is fine.

The Malawi Cichlids will always attack your other lake cichlids (from other places) and it's their nature.  They are very close-knit, as your Lake Victoria Cichlids are, as your Tang~ lake Cichlids are.

Peacocks are usually not quite as aggressive as other cichlids, but they can be territorial just like any others can.  I don't believe it's anything except regular, nasty Cichlid territorial behavior. :)

He is making a statement that he was there first (he's four years old, so you have had him awhile) and this is HIS tank.  

Pretty normal, in my opinion.

:)

Psycho?  Yes.  Lol, but it's instinctive.

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I've had my botia loach for the last 4 months and I don't know much about them so I thought I'd ask a question. My botia loach has some unusual behavior. It is constantly swimming side by side with my cichlids rubbing itself against them. He initiates this. What is he doing?

Answer
Hi Doug,

He's schooling.

My botias (I have many, and loaches are a love of mine) are very school-oriented and friend-oriented.

They like being kept at least 2 at a time, but you can put 10 in a tank, and they'll still seek out a dark place, and will all huddle together in it.  

They communicate with each other, and are instinctive to huddle.

He hasn't got anyone to snuggle with.  He's sought out a fish he likes and he's snuggling.  Doing what comes natural to him.

:)  I hope this helps.

Renee