[Christiekk]

So i just got two purple cichlids. Im realizing that one of them is picking on the other. They are both female. They are living with male guppies. I read that if you simply put the aggressive one in time out it may help. Shes currently sitting in time out. And immediately everyone in the tank seems happy. My guppies had all been hiding at the top and the lesser of the two cichlids was conatanly being chased and now she is content also. My question is how long can i keep the bully in a holding cell for lack of better words lol. Should i return her to the store if she is still being mean? Help!!

 

[Old Newbie]

Put her in"time out" may or may not help. I'm thinking you may have more problems than just that. Cichlids and guppies are probably not a good combination. What size is the tank? What kind of cichlids are they? African Cichlids usually do better in several groups with a male and several females in a tank at least 48" long. Are you sure they are females? If they are they are probably Mbuna as they are more colorful than females of other species. Mbuna are very aggressive and really need to be in groups to curb their aggression.