Why Is My Cichlid Ignoring Its Partner?

Is your cichlid showing little interest in its partner despite being in the same tank? Observing this behavior can be concerning, especially if you have invested time in creating a healthy and harmonious environment for both fish.

Cichlids may ignore their partners due to stress, illness, incompatible pairing, or environmental factors such as tank size, water quality, and hiding spaces. Addressing these elements systematically can improve social interaction and reduce aggression or avoidance behaviors.

Understanding these underlying causes can help restore balance in your tank and encourage natural interactions between your cichlids. Proper care and observation are key to fostering a harmonious aquatic environment.

Common Reasons Cichlids Ignore Their Partners

One common reason cichlids may ignore their partners is stress. Changes in water temperature, poor water quality, or sudden disturbances can make fish anxious and less social. Illness also plays a role, as sick fish often withdraw and avoid interaction. Another factor is incompatible pairing. Not all cichlids get along, even within the same species, and personalities can clash. Territorial disputes can cause one fish to dominate the other, leading to avoidance. Environmental conditions such as tank size and the availability of hiding spots also matter. A crowded tank or lack of visual barriers can make fish feel exposed, prompting them to retreat rather than engage. Monitoring their behavior closely and making small adjustments can help reduce tension. By observing how they react to changes, it becomes easier to understand what may be affecting their interaction. Patience and careful adjustments are often needed to restore harmony.

Stress, illness, or incompatible pairing are the main reasons fish may ignore each other. Observing them carefully can reveal patterns.

Proper care, including stable water conditions, adequate space, and attention to diet, can encourage positive interactions. Avoid sudden changes that might increase stress. Ensure both fish have places to hide and explore. By creating a balanced environment, you can reduce avoidance behaviors. Gradual introductions or rearranging the tank setup may help improve social dynamics. Paying attention to signs of illness or discomfort is critical. Sometimes, minor adjustments such as adding plants or stones can create territories that reduce conflict. Tank size should match the species’ needs to prevent overcrowding, which often leads to stress. Feeding schedules should be consistent, and nutrition should be appropriate for the species. Social compatibility matters, so be aware of behavioral cues and intervene when necessary. Overall, combining observation with environmental adjustments can foster healthier relationships and reduce the risk of one fish ignoring the other consistently.

How to Encourage Interaction Between Partners

Creating a stable and enriched environment encourages cichlids to interact. Adding plants, rocks, and hiding spots can help fish feel secure.

Consistent water conditions and proper nutrition are essential for promoting social behavior. Fish that feel safe are more likely to engage. Gradual changes and careful observation allow adjustments to suit their personalities. Introducing new partners slowly can prevent stress and improve acceptance. Monitoring behavior over time helps identify potential problems early. Each fish may have individual preferences for space and territory. Respecting these needs reduces tension and promotes natural interactions. Adjusting tank layout, feeding patterns, or environmental enrichment can make a noticeable difference in behavior. Over time, consistent care and a balanced environment can restore healthy interaction between cichlid partners. Attention to detail ensures that both fish thrive, minimizing avoidance and encouraging companionship. By observing subtle signs, you can adapt strategies to support their social habits effectively.

Adjusting Tank Conditions

Water temperature and quality directly affect cichlid behavior. Fluctuations or poor conditions can cause stress, leading fish to ignore partners. Maintaining stable parameters helps fish feel secure. Proper filtration and regular water changes prevent toxins from accumulating and reduce tension between fish.

Ensuring the tank is spacious enough is critical. Overcrowding increases stress and territorial disputes, which can make cichlids avoid each other. Providing adequate hiding spots like rocks, caves, and plants gives each fish a sense of security. Separating aggressive individuals temporarily may help reduce tension. Observing daily behavior allows timely adjustments before conflicts escalate, promoting calmer interactions and improving the overall environment for all inhabitants.

Lighting and decoration placement also impact social behavior. Bright, harsh lighting can make fish feel exposed, while dense plant coverage or strategic rock placement creates natural boundaries. Subtle changes, such as rearranging objects or adding a few plants, can encourage exploration and interaction. Combining stable water parameters, proper space, and environmental enrichment supports a healthier, more social tank.

Diet and Feeding Habits

A balanced diet strengthens health and reduces stress-related behaviors. Proper nutrition improves energy levels, making fish more active and attentive to partners. Feeding at consistent times creates routine, which fosters a calm environment and reduces conflict.

Overfeeding can lead to obesity and water quality issues, both of which increase stress and avoidance. Providing high-quality, species-appropriate food ensures cichlids receive necessary vitamins and minerals. Feeding smaller portions several times a day can prevent aggression at feeding times and encourages more natural interactions. Observing how each fish responds to feeding can indicate health or stress problems. Adjusting diet and portion sizes gradually helps maintain balance, reduces tension, and promotes cooperation. Proper feeding routines support both individual well-being and social harmony, allowing partners to interact more naturally.

Monitoring Behavior Patterns

Tracking daily behavior helps identify reasons why cichlids avoid their partners. Noting feeding habits, movement, and interactions can reveal stress, illness, or compatibility issues. Observing subtle changes early allows timely adjustments to tank conditions or care routines, improving overall harmony.

Recording interactions over several days provides insight into social dynamics. Identifying which fish initiates or avoids contact helps determine whether territorial disputes or environmental stressors are causing avoidance. Patterns can guide decisions about tank rearrangement, pairing adjustments, or health interventions to support better relationships between cichlids.

Recognizing Signs of Illness

Lethargy, loss of appetite, or faded coloration often indicate illness. Sick fish may avoid partners and hide. Prompt identification and treatment are essential to prevent worsening conditions. Regular observation allows early detection and intervention. Maintaining clean water and monitoring diet supports overall health and reduces disease risk.

Separating Aggressive Individuals

Sometimes one cichlid may dominate the other. Separating aggressive fish temporarily prevents injury and stress. Providing visual barriers or additional hiding spots helps maintain calm during reintroduction. Careful monitoring ensures a safer environment for both fish.

FAQ

Why is my cichlid suddenly ignoring its partner?
Sudden changes in behavior are often caused by stress, illness, or environmental changes. Fluctuations in water temperature, poor water quality, or overcrowding can make fish anxious. Illness may also cause withdrawal, while territorial disputes or incompatible pairing can lead to one fish avoiding the other. Observing patterns and maintaining stable conditions often helps.

Can tank size affect cichlid interactions?
Yes, tank size is very important. Overcrowding increases stress and encourages territorial disputes. Each fish needs enough space to establish its own territory and feel secure. Providing adequate space, hiding spots, and visual barriers helps reduce avoidance behaviors and encourages interaction between partners.

How does water quality impact social behavior?
Poor water quality introduces toxins, fluctuating pH, or high ammonia levels, which stress cichlids. Stressed fish may become less active, hide more, or avoid their partners. Consistent water changes, proper filtration, and monitoring of key parameters support both health and social interactions.

Should I separate my cichlids if one is aggressive?
Yes, temporary separation can prevent injury and reduce stress. Aggressive behavior often occurs during breeding, territory disputes, or when personalities clash. Barriers, rearranging tank decorations, or splitting the tank temporarily helps both fish feel secure and may improve behavior once they are reintroduced.

Does diet influence cichlid behavior?
Proper nutrition directly affects energy, health, and social activity. Malnourished or overfed fish can become lethargic or stressed, leading to avoidance. Feeding high-quality, species-appropriate food at consistent times improves activity levels and promotes natural interactions between partners. Gradual adjustments in feeding routines often help.

Can illness make my cichlid ignore its partner permanently?
Illness can cause temporary withdrawal. Most fish will resume normal social behavior once treated and healthy. However, prolonged illness may weaken one fish, causing long-term avoidance if stress, disease, or environmental factors are not addressed. Early detection and proper care prevent permanent behavioral issues.

How do I tell if my cichlids are compatible?
Compatibility depends on species, size, and personality. Some cichlids are naturally territorial, while others are more social. Observing initial interactions and monitoring stress signals, such as chasing, hiding, or lack of feeding, helps determine whether a pairing is suitable. Rearranging the tank or introducing barriers can sometimes improve compatibility.

Will adding plants or decorations help?
Yes, environmental enrichment provides hiding spots and boundaries, reducing stress and promoting interaction. Plants, rocks, and caves create territories where each fish can feel secure. Subtle changes in layout may encourage exploration, reduce conflict, and increase social engagement between partners.

How long does it take for cichlids to start interacting again?
Time depends on the cause of avoidance. Recovery from stress or illness may take days to weeks. Gradual adjustments in environment, feeding, and pairing can encourage interaction. Monitoring behavior closely ensures that interventions are effective and that both fish feel safe and comfortable.

Are there signs my cichlids are finally getting along?
Positive signs include swimming together, showing interest in feeding, and reduced hiding or chasing. Both fish exploring the same areas and displaying calm behavior indicate that they feel secure. Consistent observation confirms that environmental changes and care adjustments are improving social dynamics.

Can breeding affect partner interaction?
Yes, breeding can intensify territorial behavior. One fish may guard a specific area, causing temporary avoidance. Providing extra space, hiding spots, and careful monitoring ensures that stress is minimized and both fish maintain overall health and social balance.

What should I do if my cichlids never get along?
Sometimes, certain pairings are incompatible despite all adjustments. In such cases, permanent separation may be necessary to prevent stress or injury. Providing each fish a secure environment with adequate hiding spots ensures both can thrive independently without ongoing conflict.

How often should I monitor behavior?
Daily observation is ideal. Noting feeding, movement, and interactions helps identify early signs of stress, illness, or aggression. Frequent monitoring allows timely adjustments in diet, tank layout, or care routines, supporting healthier interactions and preventing long-term problems.

Can stress alone cause ignoring behavior?
Yes, stress is a major factor. Noise, sudden changes, overcrowding, and poor water conditions can all trigger avoidance. Addressing stressors through stable water parameters, proper tank size, and environmental enrichment promotes social behavior and reduces hiding or withdrawal.

Do I need to quarantine new fish to prevent ignoring behavior?
Quarantining new fish is recommended. It prevents the introduction of disease, reduces stress, and allows gradual introduction to the tank. Proper quarantine ensures healthier interactions between new and existing cichlids, minimizing avoidance caused by illness or aggressive encounters.

Can cichlids form bonds with their partners?
Yes, compatible cichlids can develop social bonds over time. Regular positive interactions, stable conditions, and adequate space encourage mutual recognition, coordinated swimming, and shared territory, reflecting a comfortable and secure pairing.

Is hiding a normal behavior?
Hiding is natural, especially for stressed, sick, or territorial fish. It becomes problematic only if it persists and prevents normal interaction. Providing safe spaces and adjusting environmental factors reduces excessive hiding and supports healthier social engagement.

How can I improve long-term social behavior?
Consistent care, proper nutrition, stable water conditions, adequate space, and enrichment all support long-term social behavior. Monitoring personality, stress signals, and health ensures that both fish remain comfortable. Gradual environmental adjustments and attention to individual needs foster lasting interactions.

What role does tank layout play in interaction?
Tank layout creates territories, hiding spots, and pathways for exploration. Rocks, caves, and plants reduce conflict, prevent aggression, and encourage engagement. Strategic placement supports comfort and natural behavior, which increases the likelihood of cichlids interacting positively with their partners.

Can introducing more fish help or hurt?
Adding fish can either reduce aggression or increase stress, depending on species and personalities. New additions should be introduced gradually with careful observation. Providing sufficient space and hiding areas minimizes conflict and encourages positive social dynamics.

How do I know if my intervention is working?
Signs of improvement include increased swimming together, reduced hiding, regular feeding, and calm behavior. Consistent observation shows whether environmental or care adjustments are effective, guiding further steps to support healthy interactions.

Is professional advice sometimes necessary?
Yes, if illness, persistent aggression, or unexplained behavior continues, consulting a veterinarian or aquatic specialist ensures proper diagnosis and treatment. Expert guidance helps maintain fish health and promotes successful long-term social interactions.

What daily routines support healthy interaction?
Consistent feeding, regular water monitoring, and observing behavior are essential. Minor adjustments to tank layout, hiding spots, and enrichment maintain comfort. Daily routines reduce stress, encourage social behavior, and allow early identification of problems.

How long should I wait before reintroducing separated fish?
Wait until stress levels decrease and both fish are calm and healthy. Monitor interactions during reintroduction, and be ready to provide barriers or separate again if aggression reappears. Gradual reintroduction increases the chances of positive engagement.

Can seasonal changes affect behavior?
Yes, temperature shifts, lighting changes, or water chemistry variations can influence activity and interactions. Maintaining stable conditions and monitoring closely during seasonal transitions prevents stress and encourages normal social behavior.

Are some cichlids naturally less social?
Yes, personality and species traits influence social behavior. Some cichlids are solitary or highly territorial. Understanding their natural tendencies helps set realistic expectations and informs tank setup and pairing decisions.

Does tank maintenance impact ignoring behavior?
Regular maintenance, including water changes, substrate cleaning, and filter upkeep, prevents stress and illness. A clean environment promotes activity, reduces hiding, and encourages engagement between cichlids. Neglecting maintenance can lead to avoidance or aggression.

Can breeding cycles change interaction temporarily?
Breeding often intensifies territorial behavior and may lead to temporary avoidance. Providing space, hiding areas, and monitoring aggression ensures both fish remain safe and interactions remain manageable during these periods.

Is it normal for cichlids to ignore each other at times?
Yes, temporary avoidance is normal, especially during rest, feeding, or territorial adjustment. Persistent ignoring, however, indicates underlying stress, illness, or incompatibility that should be addressed to maintain overall health.

How do I balance multiple cichlids in one tank?
Balance requires proper tank size, sufficient hiding spots, and observing personalities. Separating aggressive individuals and providing environmental enrichment reduces conflict. Gradual introductions and monitoring interactions prevent long-term avoidance and support healthy social dynamics.

What are the signs of a healthy social bond?
Healthy bonds include coordinated swimming, shared exploration, minimal chasing, and calm behavior. Fish respond to each other positively during feeding and movement, reflecting comfort, security, and mutual recognition within the tank.

Can environmental enrichment prevent ignoring behavior?
Yes, adding plants, rocks, and hiding spots creates a stimulating and secure environment. Fish feel safer, reducing stress and promoting natural interaction with their partners. Simple adjustments can have significant behavioral improvements.

How often should I check water parameters?
Daily or at least several times a week is ideal. Monitoring temperature, pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate ensures stable conditions. Early detection of fluctuations prevents stress and supports healthy interaction between cichlid partners.

Is patience important when dealing with avoidance?
Yes, behavior changes take time. Gradual adjustments, consistent care, and careful observation allow cichlids to adapt and develop social interaction naturally. Patience is key to fostering long-term positive relationships.

How do I encourage shy fish to interact?
Provide hiding spots, stable water conditions, and consistent routines. Gradual exposure to partners, careful feeding, and reduced stressors help shy fish feel secure and increase engagement over time.

Can lighting affect partner interaction?
Yes, harsh lighting can increase stress and hiding. Softer, consistent lighting allows fish to feel safe and encourages natural behavior, improving interaction between partners.

Are there signs my interventions are harming fish?
Increased hiding, chasing, loss of appetite, or sudden illness indicate that adjustments may be causing stress. Observing behavior closely allows for timely correction.

Does tank history affect behavior?
Yes, previous stress, illness, or aggressive encounters can influence current behavior. Understanding past events helps address lingering issues and create an environment conducive to positive interaction.

Can social hierarchy influence ignoring behavior?
Yes, dominant fish may intimidate submissive partners, leading to avoidance. Providing space, barriers, and observing interactions helps balance hierarchy and reduce stress.

How long before I should see results from environmental changes?
Behavioral improvement may take days to weeks, depending on stress levels, illness recovery, and compatibility. Gradual observation ensures interventions are effective and fish remain comfortable.

Can I prevent avoidance completely?
Complete prevention is unlikely due to species traits and personality differences. However, careful care, proper environment, and observation can minimize avoidance and promote healthier social interactions.

Do cichlids communicate when avoiding each other?
Yes, body posture, fin displays, and movement convey stress, dominance, or submission. Understanding these signals helps manage interactions and maintain harmony.

Can breeding pairs behave differently outside breeding season?
Yes, aggression often decreases outside breeding periods. Fish may become more tolerant and interactive once territorial instincts subside, promoting calmer behavior and improved partner interaction.

How important is consistency in care?
Consistency in feeding, water maintenance, and environment reduces stress and encourages predictable behavior. Cichlids thrive when routines are maintained, supporting social interaction and overall health.

Can hiding spots ever backfire?
Excessive or poorly placed hiding spots may isolate fish too much, reducing interaction. Balancing open areas with secure spots encourages exploration while still providing safety, promoting natural engagement.

Is it normal for one fish to be more dominant?
Yes, hierarchy is common. Dominance can lead to temporary avoidance, but proper space, barriers, and observation reduce stress and help maintain a balanced environment for both partners.

How do I know when to intervene in aggressive behavior?
Intervene if chasing, nipping, or stress behaviors persist. Temporary separation, tank rearrangement, or barriers help prevent injury and reduce tension. Consistent monitoring ensures intervention is effective and safe.

Does water movement affect social behavior?
Strong currents may stress fish, causing hiding or avoidance. Moderate, stable flow creates a comfortable environment, allowing natural interaction and reducing conflict between partners.

Can tank mates influence ignoring behavior?
Yes, other species or additional cichlids can increase stress or distract partners. Ensuring compatibility, adequate space, and observing interactions prevents avoidance caused by external influences.

Is it normal for cichlids to ignore each other during feeding?
Some avoidance is normal, especially if one fish is dominant. Structured feeding, sufficient food, and monitoring interactions reduce conflict and encourage calmer shared activity.

How do I know if avoidance is permanent or temporary?
Temporary avoidance often improves with stable conditions, proper care, and time. Persistent ignoring despite adjustments may indicate incompatibility, long-term stress, or unresolved health issues.

What role does personality play in interaction?
Individual personality strongly affects behavior. Some cichlids are naturally shy, territorial, or dominant. Understanding each fish’s tendencies helps manage tank setup, pairing, and interventions effectively.

Can adding more hiding spots solve all issues?
Not always. While hiding spots reduce stress, ignoring behavior may also result from illness, incompatibility, or stress unrelated to environment. A holistic approach addressing multiple factors is needed.

Do cichlids recognize each other over time?
Yes, compatible partners often develop recognition, leading to coordinated swimming, shared territory, and calmer interactions. Gradual adjustments and observation support this recognition process.

Is avoiding behavior harmful long-term?
Persistent avoidance can increase stress, reduce feeding, and weaken fish. Addressing underlying causes early prevents long-term health issues and promotes healthier social behavior.

Can water temperature swings trigger avoidance?
Yes, fluctuations can stress fish, reduce activity, and lead to hiding. Stable, species-appropriate temperatures are essential to maintain comfort and encourage interaction between partners.

Should I consider re-pairing if ignoring continues?
Yes, if behavioral issues persist despite environmental adjustments, re-pairing with more compatible fish may improve social harmony. Careful observation during introductions is critical to prevent repeated avoidance.

How can I support shy or nervous fish?
Provide secure hiding spots, stable routines, gentle handling, and consistent water parameters. Gradual exposure to partners encourages confidence and social interaction over time.

Do tank decorations need regular adjustments?
Occasional rearrangement prevents territorial fixation and encourages exploration. Changing layouts subtly can stimulate activity, reduce conflict, and increase engagement between partners.

Can adding visual barriers help?
Yes, barriers like plants or rocks allow fish to retreat safely, reducing stress and avoidance. They create territories and help balance dominant and submissive behaviors.

Is ignoring behavior more common in certain species?
Yes, territorial or highly aggressive cichlids are more likely to ignore or dominate partners. Understanding species traits helps set realistic expectations and manage behavior.

How do I balance multiple factors affecting behavior?
Combine stable water parameters, proper nutrition, adequate space, environmental enrichment, and observation. Addressing all factors together supports healthier social interactions and reduces ignoring behavior.

Can I expect permanent improvement?
Yes, with consistent care, monitoring, and adjustments, many cichlid pairs improve over time. Patience and attention to individual needs are essential for lasting positive interactions.

How important is observation for long-term success?
Observation is critical. Daily monitoring allows early detection of stress, illness, or aggression. Timely interventions, environmental adjustments, and consistent care ensure fish remain healthy and socially engaged.

Do cichlids ever prefer solitude?
Some individuals or species may be more solitary. Respecting their natural tendencies prevents stress and promotes healthier overall behavior, even if full social interaction is limited.

How can I maintain long-term harmony in the tank?
Consistent care, stable water, adequate space, proper nutrition, enrichment, and observation support long-term harmony. Adjustments based on personality and behavior ensure partners interact safely and naturally.

Can external disturbances affect interaction?
Yes, sudden noise, vibrations, or movement around the tank can increase stress and hiding. Minimizing disturbances helps maintain calm and encourages regular social behavior.

Should I track feeding behavior separately?
Yes, monitoring feeding habits can indicate stress or illness. Fish that avoid food or show aggression may require adjustments in diet, portion size, or feeding routine to reduce avoidance.

Is it normal for fish to ignore partners at night?
Yes, reduced activity or hiding during rest periods is normal. Persistent avoidance during active hours, however, indicates stress, illness, or environmental issues that should be addressed.

Can social enrichment reduce avoidance?
Yes, providing stimulation through plants, caves, and rearrangements encourages interaction. Fish feel safer and more confident, promoting social behavior and reducing avoidance tendencies.

How do I differentiate between normal hiding and stress-induced avoidance?
Normal hiding occurs periodically and briefly. Stress-induced avoidance is persistent, accompanied by reduced feeding, lethargy, or aggression. Observation over days helps identify the cause.

Can water chemistry changes trigger avoidance?
Yes, shifts in pH, hardness, or chemical imbalances can stress fish. Maintaining stable, species-appropriate parameters prevents avoidance and encourages natural behavior.

Does age affect interaction?
Young or newly matured fish may behave differently than older, established individuals. Age influences energy, territoriality, and social tendencies, which impact partner interaction.

Can sudden introductions of new fish disrupt existing pairs?
Yes, sudden introductions can cause stress, aggression, and avoidance. Gradual acclimation and monitoring reduce disruption and encourage acceptance.

Is there a role for observation journals?
Yes, recording behavior, feeding, and interactions helps identify patterns, triggers, and progress. Journals guide care adjustments and improve long-term social outcomes.

How do I balance diet, environment, and behavior?
Combine consistent feeding, stable water parameters, adequate space, enrichment, and observation. Address all factors to reduce avoidance and promote natural interaction between partners.

Can seasonal lighting changes affect behavior?
Yes, sudden shifts in light duration or intensity can stress fish. Maintaining consistent, moderate lighting supports comfort and encourages interaction.

Should I separate fish during illness?
Yes, separation prevents disease spread and reduces stress. Healthy fish remain safe, and the sick fish can recover in a controlled environment, improving chances of normal interaction post-recovery.

Can aggressive partners harm shy cichlids permanently?
Yes, prolonged aggression can cause stress, injury, or chronic avoidance. Intervention through separation, barriers, or re-pairing is necessary to protect vulnerable fish.

Does tank location matter?
Yes, frequent disturbances or heavy foot traffic increase stress. Placing the tank in a quiet, stable area encourages calmer behavior and interaction.

How do I ensure long-term social stability?

Final Thoughts

Caring for cichlids requires attention to both their environment and their behavior. Fish may ignore their partners for many reasons, including stress, illness, or incompatible pairing. Stable water conditions, appropriate tank size, and a clean environment are essential for reducing stress and supporting natural social behavior. Observing your fish daily allows you to notice changes in activity, feeding, or interaction, which can help identify underlying issues early. Even small adjustments, such as rearranging decorations, adding hiding spots, or adjusting lighting, can make a noticeable difference in behavior. Patience is important, as fish often take time to adjust to new conditions or recover from illness.

Nutrition and feeding routines also play a significant role in cichlid behavior. Providing a balanced, species-appropriate diet ensures fish remain healthy and active, which encourages interaction. Overfeeding or inconsistent feeding schedules can cause stress, aggression, or lethargy, leading to avoidance. Observing how each fish responds during feeding helps determine if diet adjustments are necessary. Gradually introducing changes in food type, portion size, or frequency can improve health without creating additional stress. Feeding routines combined with stable environmental conditions create a calm, predictable atmosphere where fish feel secure and are more likely to engage with their partners.

Finally, understanding each cichlid’s personality and social tendencies is key. Some fish are naturally shy or territorial, while others are more social and active. Recognizing these traits allows you to set realistic expectations and make informed decisions about pairing, tank layout, and enrichment. Temporary avoidance is normal, but persistent ignoring should be addressed through careful observation and adjustments to environment, diet, or care routines. In some cases, separation or re-pairing may be necessary to maintain harmony and prevent stress or injury. By combining consistent care, environmental enrichment, and close attention to behavior, you create a setting that promotes healthier social interactions, reduces avoidance, and helps your cichlids thrive together.