My first tank

Julie's Julies

Your tiny fish at the top of your tank are zebra danios, an excellent choice for a new fish tank. They are very hearty and survive the cycling extremely well. They stay at the top of your tank because they fall into the "top dweller" category. There are basically three categories of fish - top dwellers, mid-swimmers, and bottom dwellers.

Whether or not your cichlid is a Malawi cichlid, I would get him a new home. Most cichlids are semi-aggressive and need big tanks with rocks, other cichlids, and nothing else in their tanks. Both he and your Bala Shark could potentially find your zebra danios to be pretty tasty, as well.

Your angelfish may need more hiding places in the form of taller plants. I have an angel and I have tons of plants in the tank. He was very shy at the beginning, but after the addition of the extra (tall) plants, his confidence improved dramatically.

Enjoy your new-found hobby!

Lupin

It's actually a Lake Malawi cichlid and should be rehomed as soon as possible. They're not suitable community fish. Well said, Julie.;)

Falina

I'm sorry to say it but Lupin is right. The cichlid and the bala sharks are going to grow much too big, and if they don't they will die before they do as the myth that says "fish will only grow as big as the tank allows" is somewhat true because often fish will die before reaching the size. Unfortunately fish stores don't osten tell us this.

The other reason I would recommend rehoming is that the cichlid is agressive by nature. Probably not right now, but soon, and bala sharks are very skittish and nervous so would become bullied and stressed.

Jacobkgreen

I dont know much about anything, but when you get your tank figured out, i hope you re-post some pictures!

comando489

ok so here is the plan.

get rid of the balla shark today, and then get a bigger tank by the end of the week.

I love this new chichlid and I really do not want to see him go.

does any one know if i bring the balla shark back to the store will they exchange him for something different? I got him from a Petsmart...

Falina

My advice then is to retuen all your other fish as lake malawi cichlids aren't generally suitable for a community tank. You would be best setting up a tank especially for lake malawis. There are a few reasons for this. They require much different water params than most fish, generally needing a much higher ph and hard water which can be created by using crushed coral as a substrate for example. This would not be good for other fish.

Lake malawis tend to be agressive and over time I would bet on himn.her attacing your other fish unfortunately.

comando489

i returned the cichlid :(

that was such a cool fish, but i guess i had to.

from now on i will look into what fish i am getting b4 i go to the store and talked into buying a fish because it is pretty.

Gump

That is a very good idea.

comando489

i will be getting the 20 gallon some time soon!

here is what i have decided on.

1- need to get rid of the balla shark :(

2- get a few more angle fish

3- look int getting a few Discus's

does this seem like an OK route to go with? what do i need to know about takeing care of angles and Discus's at the same time? I know that the temp should be around 84* and i will need a larger tank.

i was thinking about getting 3 angles and 3 Discus. is that a good amount? i want as many as i can get :)

Falina

I'm really sorry to have to keep saying the same thing but angela and Discus both need pretty bog tanks, 50-60g minimum for a pair I would say.

Perhaps yuou could give us a list of maybe 5-10 fish that you like and we can give you advice on each of them?

It's good that you have decided to return the balas. I know it's sad but it's best for them all in.