Bullying or just playful

[MultiPunk]

I have just acquired 3 juvenile syno multipunctatus and the largest of the 3 (maybe 3") is having a ball chasing the other two around, particularly the smallest one (approx 2"). There's no biting taking place, just plenty of acrobatics, certainly no mouth to mouth brawling. The smallest one is still happy enough, doesn't hide in a corner or anything. So is this normal behaviour, just pecking orders being established/reinforced? When is the line crossed, when would I need to take action?

In case it's relevant, they all came from the same tank at the lfs and are similarly marked, so might well be related. They are in a 48x15x18 tank with Lake Tanganyika cichlids.

[Dinyar]

This is normal behavior, at least in the aquarium.

When is the line crossed, when would I need to take action?

When one of them is injured (e.g., skin comes off), or looks like it's about to be.

Then again, harassment is sometimes a sign of disease or something wrong with the harassed fish. That is a (remote) possibility you should be attuned to.

Dinyar

[MultiPunk]

thanks Dinyar, that's reassuring.

I added 6 juvenile leleupi and an adult julie last night and suddenly the synos have buddied up! A bit overwhelmed with all the activity and competition for caves I guess?