Setup:
Tank => MarineLand 46-Gallon Tall
Filtration = > Two (2) penguin 200GPH HOB filters
Lighting => Double 6 fluorescent strip on 12 hour timer w/ moonlight
Substrate => Combination of black aquarium gravel and smooth riverstones
Décor: 4 large rocks and 3 fake plants
View attachment 414300
View attachment 414301
Story:
My GF decided to start a fish tank in her dads apartment. Tank was cycled for three weeks with a large pleco and two small mollies. Ammonia and nitrate spike occurred at end of week 1 and slowly fell to zero by the end of the third week. At this time we removed the pleco/mollies and introduced 'Lucifer', a male Red Devil cichlid that is currently between 6-8" long.
He seems to be doing well, but is extremely aggressive and will charge the glass when someone approaches, sometimes even clanking his teeth on the glass for emphasis. The GF is convinced that this is his way of being affectionate and thinks that they have a special bond, lol.
Questions:
Anyhow, I have a few questions regarding general husbandry.
1) FOOD: We plan to make frozen bloodworms his staple, but can he safely be fed live food and if so what is recommended? The LFS owner told the GF that Lucifer should not be fed live food because of the potential for disease introduction. However, I would think that an occasional earthworm, mealworm, or feeder-fish would be fine.... and honestly, after all this work I think some carnage is in order... but only if it is safe for little Lucifer.
2) Burrowing/gravel: Lucifer enjoys burrowing and often moves gravel with his mouth. The GF is worried that he is eating the gravel, although it is clear to me that he is simply spitting it out shortly after grabbing it with his mouth. Is it dangerous for Lucifer to have normal gravel substrate..... If not we can simply use smooth river stones which would be too large to fit in his mouth. There are already some in there and it would not be a problem to remove the gravel substrate and replace with river stones.
3) Tank Size: How long before Lucifer outgrows this tank? I didnt realize before we bought him that tall tanks are less optimal than long tanks in that large fish need the length to swim. Anyhow, please advise regarding this.
Tank => MarineLand 46-Gallon Tall
Filtration = > Two (2) penguin 200GPH HOB filters
Lighting => Double 6 fluorescent strip on 12 hour timer w/ moonlight
Substrate => Combination of black aquarium gravel and smooth riverstones
Décor: 4 large rocks and 3 fake plants
View attachment 414300
View attachment 414301
Story:
My GF decided to start a fish tank in her dads apartment. Tank was cycled for three weeks with a large pleco and two small mollies. Ammonia and nitrate spike occurred at end of week 1 and slowly fell to zero by the end of the third week. At this time we removed the pleco/mollies and introduced 'Lucifer', a male Red Devil cichlid that is currently between 6-8" long.
He seems to be doing well, but is extremely aggressive and will charge the glass when someone approaches, sometimes even clanking his teeth on the glass for emphasis. The GF is convinced that this is his way of being affectionate and thinks that they have a special bond, lol.
Questions:
Anyhow, I have a few questions regarding general husbandry.
1) FOOD: We plan to make frozen bloodworms his staple, but can he safely be fed live food and if so what is recommended? The LFS owner told the GF that Lucifer should not be fed live food because of the potential for disease introduction. However, I would think that an occasional earthworm, mealworm, or feeder-fish would be fine.... and honestly, after all this work I think some carnage is in order... but only if it is safe for little Lucifer.
2) Burrowing/gravel: Lucifer enjoys burrowing and often moves gravel with his mouth. The GF is worried that he is eating the gravel, although it is clear to me that he is simply spitting it out shortly after grabbing it with his mouth. Is it dangerous for Lucifer to have normal gravel substrate..... If not we can simply use smooth river stones which would be too large to fit in his mouth. There are already some in there and it would not be a problem to remove the gravel substrate and replace with river stones.
3) Tank Size: How long before Lucifer outgrows this tank? I didnt realize before we bought him that tall tanks are less optimal than long tanks in that large fish need the length to swim. Anyhow, please advise regarding this.
!