Central and African Cichlids

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imcoolhandjoe

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 23, 2012
14
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Michigan
Sup guys! So in my 20 gallon tall tank i have 4 small cichlids. 2 Africans to which im not aware of the species. One is orange with tiger like stripes, he looks comparable to a bumblebee cichlid but is slightly different. The other was all black as a juvy yet has started turning more or a grayish purple in his body with black fins and white lining, he also has a few neon blue spots on his side. They are in a tank with 1 Krib and a salvini. The tank was planted but due to their digging I had to take the plants out. I filled the tank with sand, 1 large and 1 small cavernous type decoratoins for them to hide in as i know africans like to.

My questions are : 1. Judging by my description can anyone help me ID these 2 africans? And 2. It is okay to mix centrals and africans correct?

Any other tips and advice is always welcome. THANKS GUYS!
 
Yes it's okay to mix New World cichlids and Africans, but just keep an eye on them. You're definitely going to want to up the tank size pretty soon as the Salvini alone will get 7-8".
As far as an ID on the Africans pics would definitely help.


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Most do not mix new world and old world cichlids. They have different water parameter requirements, different social structures, and generally will end up with some dead fish in the long run.

Salvini's are pretty mean little fish. I would think eventually it will kill whatever else is in a tank that small. I can't help ID the two africans you have described, pics will definitely help.

Also, kribs are west african, not centrals. Convicts are centrals, not south american.

If I were you, I'd rehome the salvini and 2 unknown africans. Replant the tank and get a mate for your krib. A pair would probably prosper in a 20 high.
 
jonclark96 said:
Most do not mix new world and old world cichlids. They have different water parameter requirements, different social structures, and generally will end up with some dead fish in the long run.

Salvini's are pretty mean little fish. I would think eventually it will kill whatever else is in a tank that small. I can't help ID the two africans you have described, pics will definitely help.

Also, kribs are west african, not centrals. Convicts are centrals, not south american.

If I were you, I'd rehome the salvini and 2 unknown africans. Replant the tank and get a mate for your krib. A pair would probably prosper in a 20 high.
Click to expand...

+1. Alot of africans can be/have been adjusted to typical riverine or lake style water parameters do to being bred in captivity or adjusted. However, it does typically shorten the lifespan of most fishes out of what they are biologically inclined to tolerate. You can even tell this just by adding some sea salts to an aquarium with africans in it--they typically brighten up and breath easier.

definitely should get some pics for the ID. If you got the africans at a petco or petsmart they will typically be a hybrid listed as some sort of "assorted african cichlids."
 
I cant snap a pic of the smaller black african, he see the laptop and flys away haha. But here is a pic of the other african that im unaware of. thanks guys!

image201203080004.jpg

image201203080004.jpg
 
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