[critter_keeper]

I have a 100 gallon tank I had a accident and lost most of my fish(dont ask long story) I was left with only 2 little catfish and a lemon yellow (yellow with a black stripe on its top fin.) I got yesterday a peacock but all my fish stay near the bottom of the tank unless its feeding time. I know that differnt fish like certian parts of the tank. Is this true also for Cichilds? If so what can I get that will stay near the top of the tank?

 

[Lupin]

Hi and welcome aboard.:wave:

Your lemon yellow sounds like Yellow Lab. Pretty peaceful in nature. Some cichlids do occupy different levels of water though it is very rare to find species that occupy the surface. Angelfish and discus occupy mostly the mid level. Some occupy mostly the bottom as they establish caves as part of their territory.
I haven't known any cichlid that can stay at the surface.

Your cichlids stay in the bottom because most of the time, they try to establish territories.:wink2:

 

[SKAustin]

In my experience, Nimbochromis venestus (giraffe hap) are more of an open water Malawi Cichlid, They are generally more peaceable in nature and will occupy the mid to upper range of the tank. Venestus are also a much more active and personable fish and will will bring out a more active nature of its other tankmates. Unless you plan to breed the fish, I would recommend a few more Labidochromis caeruleus (electric yellow labs) and a few venestus. you can also add other more peacable peacocks as they as well will peacably co-exist with the Nimbochromis venestus and Labidochromis caeruleus. Should you decide to go this route, you may wish to establish a grow out tank in the event you find one of your Labidochromis caeruleus females holding, as the fry will have little chance against the voracious appetite of the larger Nimbochromis venestus.

FYI
Nimbochromis venestus are ambush hunters, their splotchy pattern is meant to resemble that of a decaying fish. The Nimbochromis venestus will lay on its side, motionless at the floor of the tank, and when possible, partially buried in the substrate in efforts to mimic a corpse. They will lay in wait until unsuspecting fry approach seeking to forage meat from the corpse. This unique hunting method is one that is shared by the Venestus' sister species the Nimbochromis Livingstonii.

 

[saganco]

Have you thought about rainbowfish or hatchetfish for the top part of the tank - or maybe they won't do well with your particular fish. I have centrals (peaceful ones), so nothing is quite so risky. I don't actually know it will work for you, but might be worth looking into.

 

[SKAustin]

Tropical fish should not be mixed with African Cichlids. Even the most passive African Cichlids are aggressive in nature. They can sense the docile nature of community tropicals and their aggression will dominate the tank. additionally, african cichlids have different dietary needs and ideal water parameters. Community Tropicals in general require a ph of 7.2, African Cichlids require a much higher ph, ideally in the area of 8.0. Though in general, most fishes will be able to tolerate deviations in their ideal PH ranges, this does create a more stressful environment for the fishes, leading to stunted growth, altered behavioral and aggression patterns, poor coloring, increased suseptibility to illness via viral, parisitic, and fungal infection, and decreased lifespan.

Have you thought about rainbowfish or hatchetfish for the top part of the tank - or maybe they won't do well with your particular fish. I have centrals (peaceful ones), so nothing is quite so risky. I don't actually know it will work for you, but might be worth looking into.

 

[critter_keeper]

new question

Ok so I was looking at this peacock for about 2 weeks at the storeand finnely I bought it yesterday. It was so pretty it was like rainbow color. once I got it home and in my tank it looked brown now today its color seems to be coming back out. Is that normal? will his color come back compleatly? I hope so because I was so disapointed.

 

[SKAustin]

It is common for most fishes to lose color when stressed. Being purchased from a LFS, transported to your home, and placed into a foreign environment is very stressful for any fish. If you have provided fitting environment for the fish, his/her normal coloring should return within a few days.

 

[critter_keeper]

WoWthanks im soooo happy to hear that.

 

[SKAustin]

no problem, any time. Glad to be of assistance

 

[herefishy]

I have found that adding water motion (power heads, pump, ect) has my cichlids much more active throughout the entire water column (except for the gobie cichlids, buffalo heads, and of course the julis). No they are not all kept in the same tanks, but in other tanks 'cause big fish DO eat little fish.

 

[critter_keeper]

I have started noticeing the two fish have started to be more active and my little yellow guy likes to follow around the peacock. Another question I thought of is I have two little channel cats with them that seem to pop out and scare them every onece in a while. Should I remove them or are they ok till they get some size to them? no one seems to be getting hurt just a little startled.

 

[herefishy]

Nix the channel cats.

 

[Gump]

Channel cats get very aggressive as they grow and they get quite big compared to most pet store fish.

In my exp (which i have a lot with cichlids) cichlids are bottom/mid water fish. If you have a cichlid at the surface its because another fish is making it stay there. In every case that i had a surface cichlid its because if he left the surface another cichlid would put him back there with a few bites for not listening the first time. So im going to say something is probally pestering/attacking your yellow fish, and the channel cats are probally the ones doing it.

 

[SKAustin]

If you have a cichlid at the surface its because another fish is making it stay there.

I highly doubt that my 5" Nimbochromis venestus is being kept near the top by 3 <1" zebras, whom which he could easily make a snack out of. that and 2 little 4" plecos are his only tankmates. he has free run of the entire tank, yet he seems to be most happy spending nearly 90% of his time in the upper regions of the tank.

 

[critter_keeper]

Well my tank is looking better every day and sense someone said I could add a few more fish I got 2 brite orange ones from the mixed tank at petsmart last night. They look just like the ones in the 8.99 tank only smaller and I got them for 2.99. Im not sure what they are and I was a little worried when I got them home and noticed how small one was compared to the rest of my fish. The peacock and the jellybean started picking on it as soon as they saw him. But it was weird because the Auratus started niping at them. I think he has become the boss of the tank, either that or its a female and wanted to take care of it. It was just kind of funny that that was the fish I worried would eat the little guy. Anyhow my tank is lively now, they all stay in a group most of the time but there all over the tank. Just wanted to update you on it. And tell you all thanks for all the help I have gotten on this board.

 

[SKAustin]

Bright orange ones are most likely Zebras (Pseudotropheus estherae). They can get a little aggressive. regardless, the Auratus will be a problem in your tank, Auratus get very aggressive, especially as they start to reach maturity.