introducing new fish to an established community

[John Rambo]

I have a large tank full of adult cichlids. A few breeding pairs as well. I am introducing some new fish around the same size. Any tips on preventing the whole community from destroying the new guys?
I already know to move the rocks and plants around. Ive done this before with 3-4" central americans, but never with adults, and never without dividers.

 

[abarilot]

What kind of cichlids are in the tank and what are you adding?

 

[darth pike]

You could try all of the standard tactics at once ... feed the old guys, do a huge water change and rearrange the tank when the water is out, and leave the tanks off the rest of the day. Personally I'd still feel better having a divider handy though.

 

[John Rambo]

You could try all of the standard tactics at once ... feed the old guys, do a huge water change and rearrange the tank when the water is out, and leave the tanks off the rest of the day. Personally I'd still feel better having a divider handy though.

Leaving the tanks off the rest of the day? what does that do?

I have a cuban pair, carpintis pair, male dovii, male umbie living together without too much trouble, all 8-10". Adding pair of rtm's 8".

 

[darth pike]

Er, should have been tank lights. This is what happens when I post before the morning coffee.

 

[John Rambo]

Er, should have been tank lights. This is what happens when I post before the morning coffee.

lol, oh. that makes sense. how about dithers? How effective is that concept? What poor fish should be a dither for such larger fish?

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

What size tank is it? I like to use silver dollars, tinfoil barbs,pacu and convicts. if you dont have any now then prolly have to grow them out so they arnt bite size.so then go with convicts, it sounds mean but they are dime a dozon, quick, can hold their own. maybe try a couple convict pairs that way the convicts have a lil backup. It also might help removing the fish then add them all together after water change and moving decorations. also keep temp around 76. im curious to see how they do. keep us posted

 

[nmadsen4]

Leaving the tanks off the rest of the day? what does that do?

I have a cuban pair, carpintis pair, male dovii, male umbie living together without too much trouble, all 8-10". Adding pair of rtm's 8".

That group of fish sounds very troublesome. How big is your tank?

 

[John Rambo]

That group of fish sounds very troublesome. How big is your tank?

600 gallons 8x4x2.5

 

[John Rambo]

What size tank is it? I like to use silver dollars, tinfoil barbs,pacu and convicts. if you dont have any now then prolly have to grow them out so they arnt bite size.so then go with convicts, it sounds mean but they are dime a dozon, quick, can hold their own. maybe try a couple convict pairs that way the convicts have a lil backup. It also might help removing the fish then add them all together after water change and moving decorations. also keep temp around 76. im curious to see how they do. keep us posted

I'll try it. maybe i'll pick up some tinfoils or silver dollars, i think the cons might be too slow.