Need advice on new 2" cichla

[ado124]

I just bought some new cichla and have had them in quarantine for about 1wk.

I've tried to feed them blood worms but only a few will eat them so I threw in a bunch of guppies to fatten them up. I kind of regret this as they've eaten over 150 guppies in about 48 hrs but there were a few little guys that really worried me (super thin) so I felt I had to at the time.

Anyways, these guys are breaking the bank for me so my question is:
Do you think it'd be wise to throw these guys into a tank full of my other growouts that are more readily taking prepared foods? I'm hoping they will learn to eat pellets/krill/bloodworms like my other guys but am also afraid they'll starve and/or get picked on by the chunkier fish.

Also, how safe is a 2" cichla with a 3-3.5" cichla? Would the little guy just make a quick meal?

Thanks guys!
Andrew

 

[Tongue33]

Welcome to the Cichla world Dedication to the bank flow is a must

Anyway!! how many did you get!!?

You could try throwin them in with others that eat prepared food.... What are the others you would throw them in with??

There are different types of 2" Cichal THere is narrow.. And there is tall bodied Narrow would likely be lunch for 3-3.5 maybe not...

 

[PeacockBlock]

Same question!

 

[ado124]

Thanks Tongue33,
I got 6 unknown species of 2" cichla. The other guys are kelbs/azuls and are chunky.

 

[ado124]

I think the unknown guys are ocell or mono (maybe something else) but they're def not tems, azul, or pinima.

 

[High City Rida]

Just think how much more money there going to need to feed them when there 18''+. For me the constant feeding of the rosie's is the worst part about keeping young Cichla. Exciting to see them eat but OH BOY expensive on your pocket's for sure. Good Luck!

 

[High City Rida]

I get 100 feeder's every Friday. I keep them seperated in a feeder holding tank. Do you have an extra 5g -10g tank sitting around?

 

[ado124]

Just think how much more money there going to need to feed them when there 18''+. For me the constant feeding of the rosie's is the worst part about keeping young Cichla. Exciting to see them eat but OH BOY expensive on your pocket's for sure. Good Luck!

That's exactly why I don't want them on live food. I feel like prepared foods are so much cheaper (and better) for them.

I set up a feeder tank last night, now I just need to let it cycle.

 

[High City Rida]

That's exactly why I don't want them on live food. I feel like prepared foods are so much cheaper (and better) for them.

I set up a feeder tank last night, now I just need to let it cycle.

I felt your pain as well and I understand completely. Look at it this way unless you become completely consumed by the Cichness like myself. You will only neeed to feed feeder's until they reach 8'' and then you can switch them safely. There at 2''-3'' now. you only got 4 to 5 months left of feeding live. I would encourage tehm to eat other food's like krill or Food Stick's as well during this time.

 

[ado124]

I felt your pain as well and I understand completely. Look at it this way unless you become completely consumed by the Cichness like myself. You will only neeed to feed feeder's until they reach 8'' and then you can switch them safely. There at 2''-3'' now. you only got 4 to 5 months left of feeding live. I would encourage tehm to eat other food's like krill or Food Stick's as well during this time.

As Disturbed would say, I'm "Down with the Cichness"
Only problem I'm having is finding enough guppies at LFS to feed these guys. On that, how do you keep your guppies alive??! I have kept them in a separate tank in the past and have found atleast 5 dying a day.