I do not have it yet. My parents will allow me to get some small tanks when i get the money. well 20 gallons is a lot smaller than my 75 gallon tank. i love cichlids. i only own American cichlids tough. a mumba community needs a 50 gallon tank. But i wanted a pair of electric yellows or 2 electric yellows of the same sex. anyway how do you sex them? Thanks!!!!
2 eletric yellows in 20 gallon tank.
- Thread starter oscaroo
- Start date
If you are talking about yellow labs (Labidochromis caeruleus) then they are extremely difficult to sex without venting. Egg spots can be an indicator, usually the more egg spots on the anal fin the more likely it is a male - but that is not a perfect science. Also, a 20g with 2 adult yellow labs is pushing it. What is the footprint of the 20g? It would be better to do a 20g long for the extra width (30" over 24"). This can be done, but it is not recommended because once you add some rocks for the fish (yellow labs are mbuna and therefore like/need rocks for hiding spots) and other decor you don't really have that much water. The biggest thing is to keep up with your water changes because your parameters will rise very quickly (talking nitrates once the tank has cycled).
One thing I would suggest is to try out cichlid stones (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21383) (they can be found other places online as well, and possibly even your LFS). I have never used these, so I can't really recommend them, but since they are hollow you won't lose as much water as real rocks. This would increase your chances of success.
One thing I would suggest is to try out cichlid stones (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21383) (they can be found other places online as well, and possibly even your LFS). I have never used these, so I can't really recommend them, but since they are hollow you won't lose as much water as real rocks. This would increase your chances of success.
Thanks I did not get the tank yet.I will try to get a long one off cregslist. What do you use to increase the PH besides chemicals? We get well water witch is about 6 PH. Thanks again!!!!
two males are your best option, but as was said, it's pushing it. i currently have 6 youngsters in a 20 temporarily, an only to establish which are the males.
in regards to sexing, i have observed that the FEMALES are typically the ones with egg spots (usually only one or two) while the anal fin of males will be almost entirely black. dominant males will also usually have alot of black in the pelvic and dorsal fins, though they wont show this until they are mature. i have one male, which is a white morph, and he shows the heavy black aswell as several egg spots, to be honest only male i've seen of this species with egg spots at all.
going back to the 6 in my 20, the only reason it's working is they are not quite breeding age. i would never consider this permanently.
Good luck!
in regards to sexing, i have observed that the FEMALES are typically the ones with egg spots (usually only one or two) while the anal fin of males will be almost entirely black. dominant males will also usually have alot of black in the pelvic and dorsal fins, though they wont show this until they are mature. i have one male, which is a white morph, and he shows the heavy black aswell as several egg spots, to be honest only male i've seen of this species with egg spots at all.
going back to the 6 in my 20, the only reason it's working is they are not quite breeding age. i would never consider this permanently.
Good luck!
May i ask how come your getting two more tanks? You just said on another thread you were STRUGGLING with what you have now! Must i bring up the exact quote? Why do you still consider having more you think the struggling will be easier with more? Just stop please!