Cichlids In a semi(?)-brackish tank.

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Jackbh241

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 16, 2011
16
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Australia
Hi guys,

First off I'm still new to this brackish business, however I'm starting to question whether you can even classify my tank as brackish?

I've been using about 1 teaspoon of salt to every 10 liters of water, would you even consider this brackish?

It currently houses a silver scat, coal grunter, aus bass and tandanus cat. However I was thinking maybe I could add a few cichlids without any drama (Haven't really had much thought as to what, something larger than the grunter maybe a convict or something).

ANYWAY, My question is, do you think this would work? What constitutes brackish? and can cichlids (or some cichlids) tolerate mildly salty water?

Any help would be amazing! Thanks guys! :)

(Sorry if this is all abit noob)
 
My first question would be what type of salt you are using? You would need to be using marine salt like "Instant Ocean", not table salt. Not trying to insult your intelligence but there is a lot of confusion out their about brackish. I got this link from Pufferpunk from this forum, it is really helpful. It explains everything about brackish and also provides a list of fish and their specific requirements.

http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/Projects/brackishfaq.html

What size tank are you keeping these guys in?
 
Hey,

Cheers for that, I'll have a read. I've been using a product made by my LFS, 'De-Ioniser & Electrolyte Salts'. Does that help at all? haha and I'll be the first to admit that I don't know a hell of a lot about this so dw.

Thanks for the link!
 
I would go back to your LFS and pick up marine salt. The salt you are using sounds like aquarium salt.

For that tank size the only thing that sticks out is the scat....right now you will be alright but after it starts growing you may have to look into tank upgrade options.

I see you are from Australia, which part? That is the country I have always wanted to go and never got the chance. I have been to many places while being in the military but never there....
 
Cheers for the advice, sadly the scat won't grow out of the tank as he will get killed by the grunter before that. I gotta move the scat on or he's gonna get annihilated.

With the amount of salt that is in the tank at the moment any idea whether some cichlids could tolerate it?

haha yeh I'm from Sydney, Australia (hence the native fish haha). It is a nice place, kind of a best of both worlds situation. Isolated enough to stay out of trouble (mostly) yet still connected enough to get the benefits of a developed western country. It's pretty chill. :) actually quite keen to visit the states though, visiting Europe in a few weeks then hopefully I can get out to Texas!
 
Considering scats grow the size of dinner plates, I think you have more than enough fish in there & plan on upgrading. scats are the garbage cans of the BW world, eating a TON of food & producing HUGE amounts of waste, so also plan on double the filtration & water changes. Also, they prefer high-end BW. That's a lot of $alt!

As fas as the coal grunter, that tank would be large enough for this fish alone.
http://www.ausyfish.com/coal_grunter.htmr

Your Aus bass is a FW fish. Gets to 4kg (9lbs)---that's a BIG fish!

The tandanus cat is also FW & well, check out how BIG it gets!
http://www.scotcat.com/factsheets/tandanus.htm

You really need to research the adult size of the fish you keep. ;)
 
Jackbh241;5064458; said:
Cheers for the advice, sadly the scat won't grow out of the tank as he will get killed by the grunter before that. I gotta move the scat on or he's gonna get annihilated.

With the amount of salt that is in the tank at the moment any idea whether some cichlids could tolerate it?

haha yeh I'm from Sydney, Australia (hence the native fish haha). It is a nice place, kind of a best of both worlds situation. Isolated enough to stay out of trouble (mostly) yet still connected enough to get the benefits of a developed western country. It's pretty chill. :) actually quite keen to visit the states though, visiting Europe in a few weeks then hopefully I can get out to Texas!
Click to expand...

If you click on the link I put in one of the posts it lists the cichlids that can tolerate low levels of salinity and their tank requirements. I tend to agree with Pufferpunk that you are already at your max for tank stocking. She is the member I was talking about who really knows her stuff when it comes to brackish water.

I would love to visit Sydney, I am sure it is amazing to live there. If you are ever in Texas, I would be happy to show you around!!!
 
You have FW fish in there. I'd get 2 separate, much larger tanks & forget about the cichlids. Most of your fish will eventually be able to eat the BW cichlid species.
 
I've always been fully aware that the fish I have are huge fish, and I'm aware that they will eventually out grow the tank and have made plans to in future either upgrade the tank or sell them off (depending on the financial situation). But thank you for the advice anyway.

Currently they are all small fish, the grunter is growing the fastest (as I expected) and may eventually need to be moved to my other tank alone, but for now all is fine.

Thanks again!
 
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