i currently have in a 35-40 gallon tank which contain 2 dovii, 2 jags, 2 red devils, 2 green texas, and 1 red jewel. they are all about 1.5" and very aggressive towards one another. i also had 2 buttikoferis in there, but they died. the red jewel is the least aggressive in my readings, but it does not stand down to any of the fish. the others actually fear the red jewel. i dont know how the buttikoferis died, but they were not attacked like the others because their fins and tails were still in tact when i found them. currently my both green texas barely have tails, but are still very healthy. any ideas of how the buttikoferis died?? how long can i keep all of them together??
new tank of cichlids
- Thread starter Phuneybone
- Start date
I'd just like to be the first to say that you should put them in the bigger tank. And "barely have tails" does not constitute "very healthy" You have too many very aggressive fish in to small of a tank. Choose what fish you want, or you'll lose most of them to fighting, bickering or just general bad living conditions. How long has the tank been setup?
Also, "How long can I keep them all together" You've already lost two fish and several of your fish don't have tails. What do you think? I'm thinkin you can't.
Also, "How long can I keep them all together" You've already lost two fish and several of your fish don't have tails. What do you think? I'm thinkin you can't.
OH MY GOD. You're serious?! Holy christ. You can't, CLEARLY, keep them together in that sized tank NOW, let alone 'for how long'. Agreed...texas without tails are NOT healthy fish. I can't believe you actually put all these fish together in a tank that size...did you do any research before you bought all these fish!?
I'm sorry, I'm just in complete and utter shock and disbelief.
They're aggressive because you have too many aggressive fish in WAY too small a tank. Take back everyone but the jewel (the only fish that can survive in a tank that small), or they're ALL going to die. Research before you buy fish.
thats why i reposted it. i thought it was a 55 gallon tank, but someone informed me that it wasnt. its not a joke. the guy at the pet store told me that it was ok to keep them together while they were small and young. i am actually in the process of separating them all pretty soon. the funny thing is that the red jewel is the most aggressive and currently dominates the tank. he has locked mouths with the red devil before, and all others are always running away from him.
The jewel rules the tank because it's likely older than the other fish. That's going to change quickly. In any event "pretty soon" is not going to be soon enough, and unless you plan on getting EACH FISH more than 55gallons of water of its own (as in, you're not going to be able to keep them in the same tank) then you need to take them back to the store.
