new to cichlids

h_sheltie · 12-09-2006, 03:45 PM

As of today, I converted my community tank into a cichlid tank(55 gal). It has been set up for about a year and a half. I sold all my fish back to the store and purchased 2 frontosa cichlids and 6 african cichlids. Sorry I don't know they're exact names. 3 of them are a goldish color with black spots and the other three are bluish with horizantal black stripes. All 8 fish are no more than an inch and are just babies.

The guy that helped me at the store said this was a good cichlid setup. After looking around on the forum a little I'm a little worried that it's not. I saw that frontosas grow to be about 15 inches. The guy told me they would get big, but I did not think he meant that big. My question is will this be a problem? Most likely I will just wait and see how it goes. Just wanted to see what you guys think. Thanks in advance.

Gourami Swami · 12-09-2006, 03:48 PM

Take the fronts back, they will outgrow your tank

Also, Get pictures of the other africans so we can ID them and possibly give you advice

**JustOneMore20** · 12-09-2006, 05:09 PM

I agree, take the Fronts back to the store. They will get too large for your tank.

The other Africans may be ok to keep depending on what they are. Like GS said, try to get some pictures. You can host them in something like photobucket.com and post the IMG link on here for us to see them. Some Africans will outgrow a 55g and some are just too aggressive and need a larger tank. There are alot of them that are fine for that size tank though, but you should know what they are and if they play well with others.

Cory Lover · 12-09-2006, 06:37 PM

Hi,

I agree, take the Frontosas back.

Cory Lover

h_sheltie · 12-09-2006, 06:49 PM

Here's some pics. Sorry about the water spots...it was pretty hard getting all my old fish out of the tank this morning and the barrel looks really dirty, but its just the picture.

Full Tank Shot

Gourami Swami · 12-09-2006, 08:08 PM

TO me look like some demasonis, and possibly a res zebra, but probably hybrids.

h_sheltie · 12-10-2006, 07:43 AM

Thanks for the help. I wish i could've took better pictures, but I suck at it...haha. The guy at the petstore told me their names, but I don't remember.

By the way, the fish are doing really well. They're very active and eat up anything I give em.

judya · 12-10-2006, 01:32 PM

Go back to the petstore, figure out which fish you bought and ask the clerk again what you got. Then write it down! A fish notebook or index cards work well, so over time you can jot down what fish purchased when and where, when you did water changes and how much, if you had any sickness and what you tried, maybe if you get lucky what bred and how many babies you got and when!

Knowing what you have really helps us to advise you as we will know how big the fish will get, how many are happiest in a group, what water conditions they need, how aggressive they are, etc. There are so many cichlids, and even within the African lakes, many different types and needs for each species.

HybridS130 · 12-10-2006, 01:59 PM

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/index.php

emc7 · 12-11-2006, 01:53 AM

Those look like P. Lombardoi or Kenyi (blue striped females with yellow males) + a red zebra (possibly). You can keep them in a 55, but you need to have a lot a filtration or a lot of water changes. Frontosa should by kept in large groups in 100+ gallon tanks, so take them back. I would take back the red zebra too, the Kenyi will grow to 6-8 inches and be plenty of fish, esp. when they breed. Trade the driftwood for lots and lots of rocks.

kay-bee · 12-15-2006, 03:41 PM

You could probably keep the red zebras in there (they're aggressive enough to be kept with kenyi, which are one of the most aggressive african cichlid species around).

After removing the frontosas, you may want to increase the number of mbuna you have in the tank (6 in a 55gal is understocked).

emc7 · 12-15-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

kenyi, which are one of the most aggressive african cichlid species

Socolofi and P. elongatus are worse. What you need is lot more hardscape-rocks, plastic pipe, anything they can hide in or under.

Mazzy · 12-16-2006, 03:56 PM

I'm gonna jump on the band wagon with everyone else in saying to take back the Fronts. It's not that they couldn't be with the others in all honesty BUT they will get much too big for that size tank. I did keep a single Front in a 65 (same basic dimensions, just a little taller) and he did very well BUT #1. he was only one male and it looks like you may have two males - no good can come of it - and #2. he was in with all smaller tanganikans which have slightly different water parameters than the rest of your fish which are malawians.

IMO it's best to keep the Africans grouped by their respective lakes but many people do mix them. Malawians, again IMO, are much much easier to care for than tanganikans (your fronts are Tangs, the rest are malawians). They are hardy and will really withstand slightly poorer conditions - not that your tank is going to be in poor condition but that's just an fyi.
The Fronts on the other hand will not take kindly to a drop in pH, etc. and will grow up quickly and want to make nests which will disturb everything in your tank (they dig relentlessly until they reach bare glass). When this starts they will also fight if they are both males and will be convinced that at any minute a female will be swimming by to mate with them and neither of them will want to share their imaginary woman

With Malawians many people slightly overstock the tank to cut down on aggression. Maybe not the best plan but people do it all the time without a problem. I started out with a few malawians myself and quickly decided their attitudes were more than I could take and switched to tangs with great success. The choice, to me, is between more colorful fish (malawians) that are all the equivalent of short mad little men OR tanganikans which have a variety of unusual shapes and behaviors but not as much color variety. There are Victorians too but I don't see any fish that look like Victorians in your tank so there's no sense in getting into that.

Lastly, again IMO, you can learn a lot about Africans by going to a fish convention. I know it sounds kinda strange if you've never gone to one but I learned most everything I know about Africans from the professional breeders that are at those conventions. Breeders will gladly share their knowledge if you ask them - they love to talk fish. Not to mention that there is usually an auction and you can get Africans real cheap! - bonus!!

If I can find some old pics of my tank I will post one for you just so you can get an idea for set up as well as how big your front will grow (mine was NOT full grown when I sent him to live in a tank full of ladies

I was told he became quite the stud

)

h_sheltie · 12-16-2006, 04:57 PM

I want to take the fronts back, but the tank is my dad's too and he wants to wait untill they get bigger and then take them back. I'm not gonna try and argue with my dad..haha. Oh well, it's his money. I appreciate all the help though.

I do want to get rid of all the fake decorations and add add a lot of rock to make hiding places. Is it ok to use rock that you can find outside and just boil and clean them?

Mazzy · 12-16-2006, 05:05 PM

ON the fish: is a second tank possible? Or maybe, if by "get bigger" you don't mean big big, like too big for that space??

On the rocks: I have heard many people say "don't do it" and so I will only say that I have done it with no ill results.

Mazzy · 12-16-2006, 05:21 PM

Since I don't know how to post pics, the best I can do is direct you to an old yahoo album page to see my front - Dante le Fronte

This pic is so old it was taken with a 35mm

Anyway, this is a male frontosa at a little over half his full size. Probably best described as 'bigger than half but smaller than 3/4' his full size. He is just starting to really get a developed hump here but you can't really tell that from the pic.

The key to the pic though is that this is a 65 (same size as your tank but a couple inches taller) and this picture shows the tank up to about 1.5" missing from the left and maybe 5" missing from the right, max. That should give you an idea of their true size.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/daffy2...64.jpg&.src=ph

h_sheltie · 12-16-2006, 05:35 PM

No I don't plan on letting them get that big. Maybe 5-6 inches at the most.

Getting a bigger tank is not really an option right now. If i could I would happily get a 180 gallon tank just for the frontosas, but I don't think that's gonna happen. At least not for another 2 years.

h_sheltie · 12-16-2006, 05:41 PM

I forgot to ask. Is there any way I could jsut keep 1 frontosa in my 55 by himself or would he be unhappy.

Phantom_Cichlid · 12-16-2006, 05:43 PM

NO, they need a bigger tank.

Phantom_Cichlid · 12-16-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h_sheltie

No I don't plan on letting them get that big. Maybe 5-6 inches at the most.

What do you mean your not going to let them get any bigger?

12-09-2006, 05:09 PM	#3
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Age: 22 Posts: 3,581	I agree, take the Fronts back to the store. They will get too large for your tank. The other Africans may be ok to keep depending on what they are. Like GS said, try to get some pictures. You can host them in something like photobucket.com and post the IMG link on here for us to see them. Some Africans will outgrow a 55g and some are just too aggressive and need a larger tank. There are alot of them that are fine for that size tank though, but you should know what they are and if they play well with others. __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g

12-09-2006, 06:49 PM	#5
h_sheltie Fish Guy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Age: 19 Posts: 67	Here's some pics. Sorry about the water spots...it was pretty hard getting all my old fish out of the tank this morning and the barrel looks really dirty, but its just the picture. Full Tank Shot Last edited by h_sheltie; 12-09-2006 at 06:53 PM.

12-09-2006, 08:08 PM	#6
Gourami Swami Supreme Dictator For Life Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere out Yonder... Posts: 1,106	TO me look like some demasonis, and possibly a res zebra, but probably hybrids. __________________

12-10-2006, 07:43 AM	#7
h_sheltie Fish Guy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Age: 19 Posts: 67	Thanks for the help. I wish i could've took better pictures, but I suck at it...haha. The guy at the petstore told me their names, but I don't remember. By the way, the fish are doing really well. They're very active and eat up anything I give em. Last edited by h_sheltie; 12-10-2006 at 10:50 AM.

12-10-2006, 01:59 PM	#9
HybridS130 ('''\_(o_O)_/''') RAWR! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pensacola, Fla Age: 21 Posts: 161	http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/index.php __________________

Members currently in the Chat:1
	Users In Chat Room: curtman602003 Come Join Me!

12-09-2006, 03:45 PM	#1
h_sheltie Fish Guy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Age: 19 Posts: 67	new to cichlids As of today, I converted my community tank into a cichlid tank(55 gal). It has been set up for about a year and a half. I sold all my fish back to the store and purchased 2 frontosa cichlids and 6 african cichlids. Sorry I don't know they're exact names. 3 of them are a goldish color with black spots and the other three are bluish with horizantal black stripes. All 8 fish are no more than an inch and are just babies. The guy that helped me at the store said this was a good cichlid setup. After looking around on the forum a little I'm a little worried that it's not. I saw that frontosas grow to be about 15 inches. The guy told me they would get big, but I did not think he meant that big. My question is will this be a problem? Most likely I will just wait and see how it goes. Just wanted to see what you guys think. Thanks in advance. Last edited by h_sheltie; 12-09-2006 at 05:08 PM.

12-09-2006, 03:48 PM	#2
Gourami Swami Supreme Dictator For Life Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere out Yonder... Posts: 1,106	Take the fronts back, they will outgrow your tank Also, Get pictures of the other africans so we can ID them and possibly give you advice __________________

12-09-2006, 06:37 PM	#4
Cory Lover Cory nut Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 97	Hi, I agree, take the Frontosas back. Cory Lover

12-10-2006, 01:32 PM	#8
judya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Age: 55 Posts: 223	Go back to the petstore, figure out which fish you bought and ask the clerk again what you got. Then write it down! A fish notebook or index cards work well, so over time you can jot down what fish purchased when and where, when you did water changes and how much, if you had any sickness and what you tried, maybe if you get lucky what bred and how many babies you got and when! Knowing what you have really helps us to advise you as we will know how big the fish will get, how many are happiest in a group, what water conditions they need, how aggressive they are, etc. There are so many cichlids, and even within the African lakes, many different types and needs for each species.

12-11-2006, 01:53 AM	#10
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,289	Those look like P. Lombardoi or Kenyi (blue striped females with yellow males) + a red zebra (possibly). You can keep them in a 55, but you need to have a lot a filtration or a lot of water changes. Frontosa should by kept in large groups in 100+ gallon tanks, so take them back. I would take back the red zebra too, the Kenyi will grow to 6-8 inches and be plenty of fish, esp. when they breed. Trade the driftwood for lots and lots of rocks.

12-15-2006, 03:41 PM	#11
kay-bee Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Age: 39 Posts: 79	You could probably keep the red zebras in there (they're aggressive enough to be kept with kenyi, which are one of the most aggressive african cichlid species around). After removing the frontosas, you may want to increase the number of mbuna you have in the tank (6 in a 55gal is understocked). __________________ 4 african cichlid tanks 4 saltwater aquariums

12-16-2006, 03:56 PM	#13
Mazzy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Adrian, Michigan Posts: 129	I'm gonna jump on the band wagon with everyone else in saying to take back the Fronts. It's not that they couldn't be with the others in all honesty BUT they will get much too big for that size tank. I did keep a single Front in a 65 (same basic dimensions, just a little taller) and he did very well BUT #1. he was only one male and it looks like you may have two males - no good can come of it - and #2. he was in with all smaller tanganikans which have slightly different water parameters than the rest of your fish which are malawians. IMO it's best to keep the Africans grouped by their respective lakes but many people do mix them. Malawians, again IMO, are much much easier to care for than tanganikans (your fronts are Tangs, the rest are malawians). They are hardy and will really withstand slightly poorer conditions - not that your tank is going to be in poor condition but that's just an fyi. The Fronts on the other hand will not take kindly to a drop in pH, etc. and will grow up quickly and want to make nests which will disturb everything in your tank (they dig relentlessly until they reach bare glass). When this starts they will also fight if they are both males and will be convinced that at any minute a female will be swimming by to mate with them and neither of them will want to share their imaginary woman With Malawians many people slightly overstock the tank to cut down on aggression. Maybe not the best plan but people do it all the time without a problem. I started out with a few malawians myself and quickly decided their attitudes were more than I could take and switched to tangs with great success. The choice, to me, is between more colorful fish (malawians) that are all the equivalent of short mad little men OR tanganikans which have a variety of unusual shapes and behaviors but not as much color variety. There are Victorians too but I don't see any fish that look like Victorians in your tank so there's no sense in getting into that. Lastly, again IMO, you can learn a lot about Africans by going to a fish convention. I know it sounds kinda strange if you've never gone to one but I learned most everything I know about Africans from the professional breeders that are at those conventions. Breeders will gladly share their knowledge if you ask them - they love to talk fish. Not to mention that there is usually an auction and you can get Africans real cheap! - bonus!! If I can find some old pics of my tank I will post one for you just so you can get an idea for set up as well as how big your front will grow (mine was NOT full grown when I sent him to live in a tank full of ladies I was told he became quite the stud ) __________________ "We can bomb the world to pieces, but we can't bomb it into PEACE!" ~Michael Franti Last edited by Mazzy; 12-16-2006 at 05:28 PM.

12-16-2006, 04:57 PM	#14
h_sheltie Fish Guy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Age: 19 Posts: 67	I want to take the fronts back, but the tank is my dad's too and he wants to wait untill they get bigger and then take them back. I'm not gonna try and argue with my dad..haha. Oh well, it's his money. I appreciate all the help though. I do want to get rid of all the fake decorations and add add a lot of rock to make hiding places. Is it ok to use rock that you can find outside and just boil and clean them? Last edited by h_sheltie; 12-16-2006 at 05:07 PM.

12-16-2006, 05:05 PM	#15
Mazzy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Adrian, Michigan Posts: 129	ON the fish: is a second tank possible? Or maybe, if by "get bigger" you don't mean big big, like too big for that space?? On the rocks: I have heard many people say "don't do it" and so I will only say that I have done it with no ill results. __________________ "We can bomb the world to pieces, but we can't bomb it into PEACE!" ~Michael Franti

12-16-2006, 05:21 PM	#16
Mazzy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Adrian, Michigan Posts: 129	Since I don't know how to post pics, the best I can do is direct you to an old yahoo album page to see my front - Dante le Fronte This pic is so old it was taken with a 35mm Anyway, this is a male frontosa at a little over half his full size. Probably best described as 'bigger than half but smaller than 3/4' his full size. He is just starting to really get a developed hump here but you can't really tell that from the pic. The key to the pic though is that this is a 65 (same size as your tank but a couple inches taller) and this picture shows the tank up to about 1.5" missing from the left and maybe 5" missing from the right, max. That should give you an idea of their true size. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/daffy2...64.jpg&.src=ph __________________ "We can bomb the world to pieces, but we can't bomb it into PEACE!" ~Michael Franti

12-16-2006, 05:35 PM	#17
h_sheltie Fish Guy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Age: 19 Posts: 67	No I don't plan on letting them get that big. Maybe 5-6 inches at the most. Getting a bigger tank is not really an option right now. If i could I would happily get a 180 gallon tank just for the frontosas, but I don't think that's gonna happen. At least not for another 2 years. Last edited by h_sheltie; 12-16-2006 at 05:40 PM.

12-16-2006, 05:41 PM	#18
h_sheltie Fish Guy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Age: 19 Posts: 67	I forgot to ask. Is there any way I could jsut keep 1 frontosa in my 55 by himself or would he be unhappy.

12-16-2006, 05:43 PM	#19
Phantom_Cichlid Confused Fish Keeper Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida Age: 19 Posts: 613	NO, they need a bigger tank. __________________ The store that sold you those fish was trying to make money. The people on this board are replying for free because they care about fish. Please, take our word, not theirs.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Can you mix cichlids?	Cichlid Man	Cichlids	33	08-29-2008 08:44 AM
Electric yellow cichlids	Pimpshrimp	Cichlids	9	02-21-2008 06:14 AM
African Cichlids + Crayfish?	Cliffizme2	Cichlids	8	12-06-2005 11:06 PM
small fish to go with cichlids..?	bsmith	Cichlids	13	06-19-2005 10:43 AM
Dwarf Cichlids vs. Cichlids	83turboranger	Cichlids	3	01-27-2005 07:59 PM