Large Aequidens and Brochis Splendens

[Jacqueline]

Not really a Callichthyidae question but more related to large Cichlids.. But I'll give it a shot here.

Yesterday evening we were sitting on front of my 3.00-80-80 South America tank. Just enjoying the quiet painting in front with a drink and a snack.



When suddenly my large Aequidens Herrera Jenaro male shot trough the tank, Brochis Splendens flying all over the tank. When I looked again I saw the Aequidens had a Brochis in his mouth!!! I had never seen this before. I did notice the Aequidens is getting more territorial and parades the tank the whole day.... In slight panic I had to catch the Aequidens because the Brochis was stuck in his mouth. It was still alive luckily!!!! I know Loricariidae will jam themselves in a cave when disturbed, so I thought the Brochis would do so too. When I had the Aequidens I could get the Brochis out and both were released again in the tank.

But my question is now, will large Aequidens eat smaller fish like Brochis Splendens?? Or was this a one off, kind of a mistake? I can imagine that when the Aequidens wants to shoo away the Brochis with his mouth open and a Brochis rushes out the wrong way it shoots up in his mouth.. Could this be a theory? I don't know if I can keep the Aequidens now.... They have been in the tank together now for a year without problems.

Here some pictures of the key players...

Aequidens Herrera Jenaro, well over 25cm


The Brochis Splendens, around 5-8cm


Thanks in advance..