[Tracy]

As some of you know, I got a new 20 gallon tank and have been making plans on how to decorate it and which fish I would go with. I got it set up during the week (cycling with filter media, a large ornament, a large rock and a sprinkle of gravel from an established tank). In a weak moment last night, I bought some small mixed African cichlids (so much for the tetras). The cichlids are very colourful

Now for the questions: what do they eat? What I do know is that they are aggressive and can only live with each other, and that they like lots of hiding places, which I have provided. There are currently 6 fish in there. I think it may be slightly over crowded, but have been told that it is better to have that many so they don't pick on each other.

Feedback?

 

[Lupin]

Hi Tracy,

May I know what African cichlids are those?

 

[Tracy]

Oh geez, as for the fancy names, I'll check when I'm at work tomorrow I can describe them: they are all about 2 inches now and supposed to reach 4.5 inches. One is yellow with horizontal black stripes; one is a bumblebee cichlid; one is blue with darker blue stripes (I LOVE blue fish); one is dark blue with yellow fins; one is white with pink eyes and the last one is a red peacock cichild (I think); it's orange with black on it.

 

[Lupin]

One is yellow with horizontal black stripes

Sounds more like Melanochromis auratus to me. Very aggressive and not suitable in a community tank lower than 55 gallons if kept with other fish. These little devils can wreak havoc in tanks.:blueshake: The way they undermine rocks, this will result to disastrous toppling of rocks until they crash the tank glass. Although I had never encounter this, they did undermine a pile of rocks I had stacked which landed on the deep substrate luckily and not on the tank glass(which could have suffered cracks already).

one is blue with darker blue stripes (I LOVE blue fish)

More like Pseudotropheus demasoni or Pseudotropheus elongatus to me.

one is white with pink eyes

More like an albino morph of a mbuna cichlid.

last one is a red peacock cichild (I think).

A species of Aulonocara(I think).

Conclusion: Some were not identified yet but all of your cichlids sound like Malawis. They're best kept in a 55 gallons tank if you want to keep all of them.

 

[Lupin]

Images of Malawi cichlids
Melanochromis auratus
Male

Female

Pseudotropheus demasoni

Pseudotropheus elongatus

Aulonocaras
Albino Red

Aulonocara Ruben Red

Some of these cichlids are very aggressive. Hence it's not advisable keeping all of them under 55 gallons tank.

As for foods, they will eat anything you give them but don't overdo it when trying bloodworms. Some are rather vegetarians and too much BWs will cause digestive upsets.
I wouldn't try overcrowding the tank especially when those cichlids alone tend to poop a lot.

 

[Tracy]

Oh great. I blew it, eh? I definitely have the female auratus. And I have noticed the pooping, even when i thought they haven't been eating. With any luck, I shall have a larger tank yet and can move them --my daughter has a friend whose parents have what sounds like a 55 or larger, with stand, unused, in their garage. He's supposed to be asking his parents if they want to get rid of it. I'll keep my eye on the cichilds for now; so far they are not even chasing each other. I'm sure it will all be okay for a few months, until they start to become larger.

 

[SKAustin]

The auratus will grow relatively quickly, and will peacably exist with the assumed tankmates for a few months. Do not assume that you have a female auratus, as the juveniles all have the coloring of the female. the males will begin to change color at about 9-12 months. assume that your auratus is appx 3-6 months old at time of purchase.

At your earliest convenience, post some pics of your new fish and we'll help to identify them properly, or have a look at www.riftlakes.com for ID and care tips.

 

[Fawnzie]

As some of you know, I got a new 20 gallon tank and have been making plans on how to decorate it and which fish I would go with. I got it set up during the week (cycling with filter media, a large ornament, a large rock and a sprinkle of gravel from an established tank). In a weak moment last night, I bought some small mixed African cichlids (so much for the tetras). The cichlids are very colourful

Now for the questions: what do they eat? What I do know is that they are aggressive and can only live with each other, and that they like lots of hiding places, which I have provided. There are currently 6 fish in there. I think it may be slightly over crowded, but have been told that it is better to have that many so they don't pick on each other.

Feedback?