large fish with oscar
- Thread starter rweedon
- Start date
Bugga it all! I had a really long post and it wouldn't post it so i lost it all...sigh. SUckage!! LOL!!
piranha45 said:
Well from what I learned to much protein in the diet of some Africans can cause problem with the intestines. They need more veggie based foods and it is harder to meet both fishes need when they are together. Sorry if I am wrong but it is just what I have been told and read. Also, these forums are for advice right? If I am wrong just say I am wrong you really don't have to be rude about it. I notice a lot of fishkeepers here on MFK are very cocky and rude to more novice fishkeepers. Kinda like wine snobs if you have ever met any you know what I mean. We were all new to the game at one point.
yes yes i know, the mbuna myths are put up as general fact on all kinds of cichlid sites, its most unfortunate.
I deal with alot of people on a regular basis who throw the african-w/americans argument out, so my patience for the statements is terribly low.
I've been posting on fish forums for two and a half years, have accumulated around 20,000 posts on various forums and I have yet to encounter anyone who has had their mbuna endure "malawi bloat". There are plenty of individuals who keep/have kept mbuna successfully long-term with American cichlids.
Its generally regarded by those "in the know" that all cichlids, african and american, have no problems with pH between 6.5 and 8.5, and perhaps hardness as well but nobody ever checks hardness anyway so thats sketchy. LFSes across multiple countries keep their fish in god only knows how many different types of water, and they're still alive and ready for someone's tank. The important factor in keeping cichlids--- and other fish in general-- is water STABILITY, not specific parameters, and cichlids of both continents have proven this. Reputable, ichythyologist-approved large-scale fisheries raise and breed Tanganikans in pH 7.1. Throw that in the face of the next ignoramus who dares say otherwise.
I've been keeping mbuna with American cichlids for several years in multiple setups, and feeding diets including high-protein cichlid pellets, live ghost shrimp danios tetras gouramies goldfish barbs fathead-minnows and god knows what else, and I have yet to see any of my mbuna fall ill/die from anything other than harassment by other mbuna.
anyway that rant probably isnt very organized or eloquent but im tired of typing the same damn reply so often. Hope you learn something from this, I take fish seriously and I don't spew bull****, especially on this particular matter. blahblaglahblbafdsffd enjoy
I deal with alot of people on a regular basis who throw the african-w/americans argument out, so my patience for the statements is terribly low.
I've been posting on fish forums for two and a half years, have accumulated around 20,000 posts on various forums and I have yet to encounter anyone who has had their mbuna endure "malawi bloat". There are plenty of individuals who keep/have kept mbuna successfully long-term with American cichlids.
Its generally regarded by those "in the know" that all cichlids, african and american, have no problems with pH between 6.5 and 8.5, and perhaps hardness as well but nobody ever checks hardness anyway so thats sketchy. LFSes across multiple countries keep their fish in god only knows how many different types of water, and they're still alive and ready for someone's tank. The important factor in keeping cichlids--- and other fish in general-- is water STABILITY, not specific parameters, and cichlids of both continents have proven this. Reputable, ichythyologist-approved large-scale fisheries raise and breed Tanganikans in pH 7.1. Throw that in the face of the next ignoramus who dares say otherwise.
I've been keeping mbuna with American cichlids for several years in multiple setups, and feeding diets including high-protein cichlid pellets, live ghost shrimp danios tetras gouramies goldfish barbs fathead-minnows and god knows what else, and I have yet to see any of my mbuna fall ill/die from anything other than harassment by other mbuna.
anyway that rant probably isnt very organized or eloquent but im tired of typing the same damn reply so often. Hope you learn something from this, I take fish seriously and I don't spew bull****, especially on this particular matter. blahblaglahblbafdsffd enjoy
btw there is one certain group of cichlids I know of that DO have specific dietary requirements, and those are Tanganyikan Tropheus (dubiosi, moori). Fish of that genus should not be fed high-protein diets, or they WILL suffer intestinal problems and die, at some point or other. They do need plant-oriented foods like spirulina and such.
I'v been schooled...but thats good, thanks. I always wondered how valid these statements were. I never agreed all that much with the water pH and such for the vary same reason you just stated. LFS keep their fish in very different waters then their wild cousans. At any rate, I still thought it might matter with some fish and I did think the diet thing mattered but thanks for pointing it out that it really does not.
i have two oscars right now in my 125 gal tank and I am looking to put more fish in with them at the moment as well... fish that i have come across that are both colorful as well as good with oscars are: Jack Dempsys, lemon jakes, electric blues/yellows, aulonocara ngara flametails, pseudotropheus demasoni, pseudotropheus elagatus chewere, pseudotropheus saulosi, crytocara moori, and melanochromis johanni.
the thing that you want to aviod is a fight between your oscars and other fish in the tank. Even though the oscars can be agressive they are teddy bears compared to some of the other chiclids out there such as a red devil. One red devil of equal or smaller size in your tank can kill all of your oscars. I have seen it happen.
As far as adding fish to your tank remember not to add 10 fish all at once. the biofilters in your tank will not be able to accomodate all the new waste created and it can lead to the downfall of your entire tank. Instead add 2-3 fish a week till you get to where you want to be.
As far as adding Africans to your tank your oscars will adapt to the water conditions that the africans require. so do not be afraid to increase the pH so long as you do not increase nitrite levels.
hope this helps
the thing that you want to aviod is a fight between your oscars and other fish in the tank. Even though the oscars can be agressive they are teddy bears compared to some of the other chiclids out there such as a red devil. One red devil of equal or smaller size in your tank can kill all of your oscars. I have seen it happen.
As far as adding fish to your tank remember not to add 10 fish all at once. the biofilters in your tank will not be able to accomodate all the new waste created and it can lead to the downfall of your entire tank. Instead add 2-3 fish a week till you get to where you want to be.
As far as adding Africans to your tank your oscars will adapt to the water conditions that the africans require. so do not be afraid to increase the pH so long as you do not increase nitrite levels.
hope this helps
piranha45 said:
Do what I do and save your responces that you use a lot in a folder on your desk top then all you have to do is copy and past.
Don't use the fact that you have to deal with newbies as a reason to treat them that way...if it was in person and you said it then it could be an excuse but you had to type it and read it and submit it.
I'm not rying to flame you but we all have to remember that just because we have heard the question 500 times dosen't mean we should loose our temper with them. If you don't want to answer it.....don't. Let some one that has only answered it 499 times do it.
Buy the way I agree with what you say. Keep up the good work.
That was a rather rude statement, P45.. No reason to jump the guys case because MAJORITY of people would agree that Africans and SA's should be kept apart..
I agree with you about Stability, and all that hooplah, you know this.. I have housed Africans and SA's togethor, and I don't see the problem with it. Many people do it, and it makes a wonderful choice.
BUT, It is still my personal preference that they should be in a species tank or 'Biotope' style tank.. If people want to keep Oscars with Africans in a small tank with brightly colored gravel and plastic plants, then they can go for it.. It is definately true, Nutrition wise, and Water quality wise that it can be done..
Be Patient with people.. BTW, just because you have alot of posts dosn't mean jack.. Don't try to brag about stupid crap like that, because how many of those posts had content.. or content that wasn't negative? C'mon, now..lighten up, were here to help the less knowledgable..
Miles
I agree with you about Stability, and all that hooplah, you know this.. I have housed Africans and SA's togethor, and I don't see the problem with it. Many people do it, and it makes a wonderful choice.
BUT, It is still my personal preference that they should be in a species tank or 'Biotope' style tank.. If people want to keep Oscars with Africans in a small tank with brightly colored gravel and plastic plants, then they can go for it.. It is definately true, Nutrition wise, and Water quality wise that it can be done..
Be Patient with people.. BTW, just because you have alot of posts dosn't mean jack.. Don't try to brag about stupid crap like that, because how many of those posts had content.. or content that wasn't negative? C'mon, now..lighten up, were here to help the less knowledgable..
Miles
