Introducing Rays to Cichla tank

[ado124]

I think it's about time I move my rays to my Cichla tank. Problem is, my cichla have been pretty damn aggressive...I threw a 6" pleco in there and they TORE HIM UP . Within minutes, I had to net him out. Odd since there's a pleco (4") already in there that has thrived for a long time. I've introduced many other fish in there and they usually take a beating...The geo I have in there almost lost an eye and took the beating for a week before they let up on him. Now the geo picks on my kelberi . Anyways...

For the fellas' that have introduced rays into a cichla tank. Any tips? Best to do it at night? Should I rearrange decor and mess up territories?

I introduced some cichla into my ray tank with no problem, it's going the other way that's making me nervous. I'd hate to lose one of my rays...

Thanks!
Andrew

 

[omojena]

do it while doing a large waterchange. during the fill-up, add the rays.

 

[ado124]

I'll give that a shot! thanks!

 

[dodgefreak8]

move around the decor in your tank. It breaks up the territories long enough to add another tankmate. Worked for me anyway

 

[ado124]

Sooo....I did a big water change and moved some stuff around but still a little nervous. I introduced the first ray after the water change and, at first it seemed already, they would just hover over the ray and stare at it. Then, all hell broke loose as my orinos starts biting its disk.. The orino took a couple nips at the rays face and left a slight scratch on the eye.... That was a little after the ray was introduced. This morning, everything seems a lot better. Still nervous though and a little hesitant about adding the other rays.

 

[coeus]

Sooo....I did a big water change and moved some stuff around but still a little nervous. I introduced the first ray after the water change and, at first it seemed already, they would just hover over the ray and stare at it. Then, all hell broke loose as my orinos starts biting its disk.. The orino took a couple nips at the rays face and left a slight scratch on the eye.... That was a little after the ray was introduced. This morning, everything seems a lot better. Still nervous though and a little hesitant about adding the other rays.

what size tank are the rays in atm?

maybe switch them for a day or 2? put all the cichla in the rays current tank and the rays in the cichla tank, then add the cichla back to their current tank in a few days time once the rays are settled in?

kind of a PITA way to do it but it seems like the best option to me at this point

 

[sbuse]

my orino is a prik also...i have had a bgk in the tank with them for a long time now and no problems...added another bgk orino went after it...then after i took it out, it went after the older one...may have to do the bass tank switch like was mentioned...i have rays with the bass now and i had 2 rays in before the bass and added 3 after they were in the tank for a while with no problems...maybe once they figure out the rays are not a threat or food they will not bother new comming rays...

 

[ado124]

what size tank are the rays in atm?

maybe switch them for a day or 2? put all the cichla in the rays current tank and the rays in the cichla tank, then add the cichla back to their current tank in a few days time once the rays are settled in?

kind of a PITA way to do it but it seems like the best option to me at this point

The rays were in a 120g. Not a bad idea, but with all the talk of cichla just dying from being netted out of the tank, I'm a lil weary.

so far the ray in the cichla tank is doing pretty good so I'm going to introduce a second one today..

 

[haynchinook334]

Hope all works out ado....

 

[ettfettbranamn]

I find it better to do group introductions.. more new tank mates to focus on and spread the aggression.. also add the rays not after but during the water change since the p's are a bit tumbled and the territories are broken from the lack of water..