OMG. What was I thinking???? Help!!

[Mantis_22]

Ok heres the scoop. My sister just came over and gave me two African Chiclids. I know nothing about these guys but I have them in my 10gl with three other cories and two ghost shrimp. She gave them to me because she had nowhere else to put them (Figures). I moved them in and they are like moving all around the tank with the cories. What should I do? I know they are only agressive during mating but i have no clue about these species, temp. foods and if this tank is actually big enough FOR NOW??? Help please for all who can :(

[Kirin Fang]

Do you know what types they are or have pictures of them?

[Andy16]

Well is the are haps the need at least a 75 gallon tank. If they are mbuna htey need at least a 55 gallon tank. So no the tank is not big enough. Those corys will be fish food pretty soon too. I dont know about the shrimp but i wouldnt cont on a peaceful death for that either. I would move them up to a 50 gallon tank or see if ur lfs will take them.

[Mantis_22]

They are african chiclids? I dont think tehy would eat the cories? Too boney?

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

`i dont think they will eat the cories... they might harrass them, but i doubt they will be fish food... you can feed them flakes... and i 10 wont work for a long term tank.... i think they usually get aggressive when they mature and when they breed...

[Mantis_22]

yes that is what i have read, only when they breed. So just keep to daily water changes and tropical flake food?

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

i dont think you would need daily changes, but it cant hurt i guess... and i have two (which were also given to me as a gift :rolleyes: ) in a 55g with a lot of cories and they have no problems with them (oh yeah, tiger barbs also) and i feed mine flakes...

[Mantis_22]

ok maybe daily changes is harsh, ill go for every 2-3 days for now till i get a bigger tank, whats they PH range and also whats there enviorments? I dont care if they eat the shrimps, 33cents is nothing off of me lol. I just need a home for these guys till later on. They are blue also, not yellow like the ones in the pictures i seen in a book, whats up with that?

[scott]

There are many different African species with many different colors. They grow to a wide range of sizes and temperments. I keep SA/CA and have seen some that will attack the glass when you walk by, let alone a shrimp in the tank. I would also say that if they are more aggressive they will not eat they cories but they will certainly try, resulting most likely in the death of both fish. Unless you are willing to buy the proper tank to house the fish you have, do the right thing and take them to the LFS. I have made the same mistake of taking free fish from someone else and believe me when I say it usually only results in trouble. I would say post a pic in the cichlid section of this forum and you will have an ID within twenty four hours then house them appropriately or take them to a store and donate them. I have been reading your posts and you have worked very hard on this tank, these cichlids will destroy it because it is to small and then die if you don't move them (if they don't kill each other first). Not to rain on your parade or anything, just calling it like I see it.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Honestly, I would give them back to your sister until you have a fully established larger tank because a 10g really isn't going to make them happy.

[Mantis_22]

Wait... I have been studying about chichlids today... They look like Dwarf Cichlids? I cant match them with anything They are blue./ I can get a pic but i cant identify them with a specie book! By the way i moved out the shrimp to another tank. And the cories are getting along fine with the chichlids! :D. And most of all my nitrite is gone now! YAY~! :D

[Mantis_22]

Let me add to that last post, i think they are kenyi cichlids but im not too sure... heres a new post I made upon all of this in the cichlid section...


http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10259

[superstein61]

Originally posted by Andy16
Well is the are haps the need at least a 75 gallon tank. If they are mbuna htey need at least a 55 gallon tank. So no the tank is not big enough. Those corys will be fish food pretty soon too. I dont know about the shrimp but i wouldnt cont on a peaceful death for that either. I would move them up to a 50 gallon tank or see if ur lfs will take them.


Actually if they are dwarfs or shellies, the tank could suffice (although bigger is always better) and the other fish would be fine with them

bottom line - no one can adequately answer without more info (a pic of these fish would really help)

[Gomer]

I am confused....from this post:
"My sister just came over and gave me two African Chiclids"

from your other post:
"Hello, yesterday I bought 2 cichlids from a LFS."

[Mantis_22]

im saying that to reduce scrutenty :D

[Gomer]

ok...cause I was going to suggest returning them for credit/ exchange if you think they would be a problem :)

[Mantis_22]

Dont worry the LFS manager said monday he would exchange these two cichlids for any fishes in the store I could want other than the saltwalter fish so they will have a better home soon.