introducing cichlids to your aquarium
introducing cichlids to your aquarium
Was thinking of adding all cichlids at once, just wondered if that's the best approach. Had fish in my tank till yesterday, now thinking of adding 25 cichlids, about 2 inches each. Tank's 350 litres, so just wanted to check.
Re: introducing cichlids to your aquarium
To ensure the health of your cichlids and tank, a few key points need consideration.
What is the adult size of the cichlids you plan to add? Their full-grown size will significantly impact the tank's bioload.
You also mentioned you had fish in the tank till yesterday - what was the bioload like before you removed them?
Lastly, what type of cichlids are you planning to introduce to your 350-litre tank?
What is the adult size of the cichlids you plan to add? Their full-grown size will significantly impact the tank's bioload.
You also mentioned you had fish in the tank till yesterday - what was the bioload like before you removed them?
Lastly, what type of cichlids are you planning to introduce to your 350-litre tank?
Re: introducing cichlids to your aquarium
The ones I want are malawi cichlids, they'll all grow to about 4 to 5 inches.
As for the bioload, I had a decent amount of fish in there - 4 medium-sized angels, 10 neons, 7 rummynose, 5 corydoras, and 4 platies. I also had a clown loach and a panda garra loach.
I didn't keep much of the water, but I didn't touch the external filter, so I'm hoping I still have all the good bacteria in there. What's your take on it?
As for the bioload, I had a decent amount of fish in there - 4 medium-sized angels, 10 neons, 7 rummynose, 5 corydoras, and 4 platies. I also had a clown loach and a panda garra loach.
I didn't keep much of the water, but I didn't touch the external filter, so I'm hoping I still have all the good bacteria in there. What's your take on it?
Re: introducing cichlids to your aquarium
Your plan seems like a decent approach. With Malawi cichlids, overstocking is often necessary to minimize aggression. However, considering the pH requirements for Malawi cichlids are quite high compared to the previous inhabitants of your tank, you might want to think about making some adjustments. Adding rocks and coral sand could help raise the pH and kH levels. Plus, incorporating some rock work will provide your fish with much-needed hiding spots to escape any conflicts.
Not keeping the old water isn't a huge concern, since most of the beneficial bacteria are housed in the filter. Introducing all the cichlids at once is generally a good idea, as it prevents any single fish from establishing a territory. This way, each fish can find its own niche within the tank.
Not keeping the old water isn't a huge concern, since most of the beneficial bacteria are housed in the filter. Introducing all the cichlids at once is generally a good idea, as it prevents any single fish from establishing a territory. This way, each fish can find its own niche within the tank.
Re: introducing cichlids to your aquarium
I think you're on the right track. Malawi cichlids do require a bit of overstocking to minimize aggression, but the pH needs to be higher than what your previous fish were used to. Consider adding some rocks and crushed coral sand to boost the pH and kH levels. This will also give you a chance to create some rock work, providing your fish with hiding spots when they need to escape the chaos. They'll appreciate having places to retreat to.
Don't worry about the water, most of the beneficial bacteria are in the filter. Introducing all the cichlids at once is probably the way to go, so none of them can establish dominance over a specific territory. They'll each find their own spot in the tank.
Don't worry about the water, most of the beneficial bacteria are in the filter. Introducing all the cichlids at once is probably the way to go, so none of them can establish dominance over a specific territory. They'll each find their own spot in the tank.
Re: introducing cichlids to your aquarium
Just done some decorating in my tank, added coflake sand, ocean rock and some sort of black rock with white markings - set me back about £100. Planning to wait till Sunday to test the pH and all that, getting my fish on Monday or Tuesday so fingers crossed. My pH was 7.4 in my community tank so hoping it'll raise a bit.
When adding the rocks I tried making little pathways through them, think it's looking alright. Got my eye on some Yellow labs, Pseudotropheus acei, Cynotilapia afra, Red peacocks, and either Pseudotropheus demasoni or pseudotropheus saluosi - five of each. Prefer the demasoni but heard they're pretty aggressive, anyone got any experience with them?
When adding the rocks I tried making little pathways through them, think it's looking alright. Got my eye on some Yellow labs, Pseudotropheus acei, Cynotilapia afra, Red peacocks, and either Pseudotropheus demasoni or pseudotropheus saluosi - five of each. Prefer the demasoni but heard they're pretty aggressive, anyone got any experience with them?
Re: introducing cichlids to your aquarium
Anyone got any thoughts on the pseudotropheus demasoni, I've heard they can be pretty feisty, just wondering if they're worth the extra hassle?
Re: introducing cichlids to your aquarium
As we're getting into the specifics of the species, I think it's time to move this discussion to the Old World cichlids section, seems like a better fit.