African Cichlid ID's and questions

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C L O W N K N I F E said:
+1....none of his fish will get to be a foot....some say placidochromis milomo get to be 11" but its more likely that they max out at 8-10"...same goes for nimbochromis venustus
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+2
They're not growing six inches overnight. As long as there are no aggression issues, a 33 gallon is perfectly adequate as a growout tank. Also, the OP has been informed in his other, similar threads that this tank is too small for adult size fish.
 
Thank you sir and the only one I could think of is they say venustus grow about a foot, but like clown said they usually average out at 8-10" max. and COG I agree he has time and he said he was thinking about getting a bigger tank so I figured he has some time to get a bigger tank and when the time comes he can get a bigger tank or sell his huge fish and get the same fish, but smaller or entirely new fish.
 
Thanks for all the input and help! When it comes to the tank don't worry, I know whats what, I've had a few large tanks (125, 150 & 225) and kept many large species including arowana and rays. I usually stuck with oddballs but recently started to take a liking (with some assistance from my girlfriend) to africans. I'm currently living at my parents while finishing my degree but when I am finished in a year I'm sure I will have another 125+ gallon tank. And as cant009 mentioned, worst case scenario I could find a great home for the large cichlids and replace them. My questions were more directed to the cichlids as I'm new in this area.

I did have another question for you guys .. My electric blue cichlid (ahli?) has now settled in comfortably and is running my tank. He has pretty aggressive toward all other fish today. I've heard that more africans helps with this problem as it distributes the aggression? Is there any truth to this? If so will removing my silver dollars and adding another cichlid or two help make my tank healthier, aggression wise?

p.s. .. dedicated my day off today to the tank. Scrapped the driftwood and plant decorations. Went for a drive and picked out some slate rock. Designed my tank with this rock which gives them more hiding spaces and a more natural feel. I'll post up a picture tomorrow!
 
Nice! the tank sounds like it's coming along. I can't wait to see the picture. I have raised many electric blue's/electric blue ahli's and they are almost always the controllers of my tanks. They are aggressive and yes you are right more cichlids spread out aggression, but if you like your silver dollars I would wait a couple of days because the electric blue is probably just chasing the other fish saying "hey this is my tank and you will follow my rules" lol. Wait a couple of days and if he doesn't calm down then you can try adding a couple more African's like electric yellows, but it is most likely he is just settling down in the tank. I know my big male will always chase fish around he will go from 5 hours of calm to 1 hour of hell. So wait a couple of days and see how it works out for you. Good luck and can't wait to see the picture :D
 
He is also the largest fish in the tank which doesn't help. As for the silver dollars, I do like them but I originally purchased them before deciding on Africans. I was already debating making this change (which I believe you noticed in another thread) but if this will also help with aggression any bit I think I'm going to take that route. I'm thinking of removing the three silver dollars and replacing with two new Africans. One will most likely be an electric yellow lab and not sure about the other. Seen a new African earlier today at my lfs that caught my eye. Was labelled "rusty cichlid". Opinion?


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Acura_RSX said:
Thanks for all the input and help! When it comes to the tank don't worry, I know whats what, I've had a few large tanks (125, 150 & 225) and kept many large species including arowana and rays. I usually stuck with oddballs but recently started to take a liking (with some assistance from my girlfriend) to africans. I'm currently living at my parents while finishing my degree but when I am finished in a year I'm sure I will have another 125+ gallon tank. And as cant009 mentioned, worst case scenario I could find a great home for the large cichlids and replace them. My questions were more directed to the cichlids as I'm new in this area.

I did have another question for you guys .. My electric blue cichlid (ahli?) has now settled in comfortably and is running my tank. He has pretty aggressive toward all other fish today. I've heard that more africans helps with this problem as it distributes the aggression? Is there any truth to this? If so will removing my silver dollars and adding another cichlid or two help make my tank healthier, aggression wise?

p.s. .. dedicated my day off today to the tank. Scrapped the driftwood and plant decorations. Went for a drive and picked out some slate rock. Designed my tank with this rock which gives them more hiding spaces and a more natural feel. I'll post up a picture tomorrow!
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It is true that the more africans you have, the more it helps with aggression. but I agree with cant009, I would wait a couple days before deciding to buy a few more africans because they might just be getting use to the tank and are creating a hierarchy.
 
Acura_RSX said:
He is also the largest fish in the tank which doesn't help. As for the silver dollars, I do like them but I originally purchased them before deciding on Africans. I was already debating making this change (which I believe you noticed in another thread) but if this will also help with aggression any bit I think I'm going to take that route. I'm thinking of removing the three silver dollars and replacing with two new Africans. One will most likely be an electric yellow lab and not sure about the other. Seen a new African earlier today at my lfs that caught my eye. Was labelled "rusty cichlid". Opinion?


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Thats a good idea because IMO, the silver dollars may eventually get nipped on by your africans. A rusty cichlid (Iodotropheus sprengerae) and a yellow lab should fit in nicely I think. Rusty cichlids from what I've heard are pretty peaceful so all you might need to worry about is your more aggressive ones picking on it.
 
Oh and rusty cichlids are a herbivore and will do well on a diet of Cichlid flakes, cichlid pellets and the occasional treat of zucchini, lettuce, peas and carrots (make sure they are not frozen and thoroughly thawed out. & like any fish from Lake Malawi, they're are prone to "Malawi Bloat" so be careful not to feed foods high in protein like brine shrimp.
 
Thanks again, you guys have been great. Im 99% positive I will be doing this, the silver dollars already seem uncomfortable in the tank. This makes me wonder about the clown loaches too. Hmmm. Thanks for the diet tips. I've only fed nls cichlid pellets so far.


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Don't worry about the loaches at all lol... I know tons of people who have loaches in their tank and they take SO long to grow and when they grow you can cash those babies in and get new fish. Also an electric yellow would look really cool :D I don't know much about rusty's. I have heard they are mean, but clownknife said they are some what peaceful and since I have never owned them I am going to go with him saying they are peaceful. The loaches will do fine, the electric yellow and rusty will be cool as hell. Lastly take a pic and keep me updated :D good luck. Oh and for a diet I would say some flake should be great, but pellets can also be could. Maybe mix it up or set up a schedule one day pellets, then one day flake or? Good luck :)
 
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