[ragc]

Earlier this week I stocked my 30 gallon with two Archocentrus sajica T-Bar cichlids. The fish are about 2" (male) and 1 1/2" (female), so they are still juvenile. The first two days they were inseparable, but the honeymoon didn't last long... Today the male apparently decided to keep the female in one corner of the tank and have the rest of the tank to himself. If she tries to come out of her hiding spot beneath some Amazon Sword plants, he chases her back. He guards the sand spot where food pellets land when I feed them. I am concerned she is not able to eat, plus I thought they were very compatible before, based on their behavior while exploring the tank the first two days.

I read in one of my books that you could stick some 'target' fish in the tank to help. They are non-cichlids, and fast, so they can escape. I introduced three black sailfin tetras into the tank. The first minute both T-Bars chased them, but they quickly went back to the old routine again after that. Now the tetras stay in one area (above where the female hides) and the male swims the rest of the tank.

This all sounds pretty normal to me as I write it, but since I've never kept cichlids before I'd like to see what others with cichlid experience think. Also, I know Archocentrus spawn before they are mature...is this spawning behavior?