Help with full grown cichlids

[MikenDanielle]

I just thought of a question I need answerd:help:


As some of you may have read in my recent posts I am obtaining a used 77 (or 90 not sure on the actual size until I get it home) tank that is filled with 30+ full grown massive cichlids. I know this is seriously overstocked, but I intend to sell them off as soon as possible... but in the mean time what do cichlids of this size eat? I have kept cichlids for many years but none have grown to this size, they look like there all on the juice! Most of them are between 6 and 8 inches. I have just regular Cichlid Pellets for my other 2 inch Cichlids, but these guys im getting probably wouldn;t even be able to see them, so my question is... what do they eat and where do I get it?

[Nolapete]

It depends on what kind of cichlids. 30 mbunas wouldn't really be that overstocked in a 90. Find out from the owner what they are eating. Big cichlids will eat pellets too. There's about 4 or 5 different size pellets available. The largest being about the size of a green pea.

Pics would be great, but a list of what cichlids they are would suffice.

[Nolapete]

By the way, it's either going to be a 75 or a 90. There's no such thing as a 77 unless it's a custom built tank which is unlikely.

[fgump]

There's no such thing as a 77 unless it's a custom built tank

Unless it's a bow front. They come in weird sizes.

[MikenDanielle]

Yeah he listed it as 77, but tmy visual measurments when i went to see it id looked to be 4 feet long 2 feet high and 1.5 feet deep. As for the inhabitants they are trualy a mix of everything, there alot of Mbunas, but also a firemouth, some Jack Dempsey's, Green Terror's, some peacocks and even 1 massive what looks to be an Angel fish. He was currently just feeding it the same size pellets I have, but a guy who puts this many different types of fish in one tank, I just didn't know if I should trust what he was feeding them.

And no, it is not a bowfront.

[Nolapete]

Based on the dimensions you gave before, I knew it wasn't a bowfront. I have both 75 and 90 gallons. My guess, based on your description, is it is a 90.

Do you want to keep any of the fish that are in the tank? The first thing I'd do is decide whether to keep the CA/SAs or the Africans then bring the others to the LFS for store credit or sell them.

What substrate is in the tank? If it's any kind with calcium carbonate like crushed coral, then I'd either switch it out or keep the Africans.

[MikenDanielle]

I don't really want to to keep the cichlids, When I bought the tank form the guy i was udner the impression the LFS would take the fish in on credit for SW equipment, but they changed their policy onve the last week Ig uess and no longer do this, so I have to sell them locally. Depending how long that takes, I may end up being stuck with them for quite awhile. Right now he has a mix of white crushed coral and just regual blue substrate, its pretty godly looking and I do have intentions on changing it out.

As far keeping any specific type, Im really bound by what people want to buy from the classified ad I will place. It sucks.

[Nolapete]

do you have a local craigslist near you? Check craigslist.org. It's free to post. For the benefit of the fish, you might want to consider offering them for free to a good home.

[MikenDanielle]

Yeah I will check that out later today, I know we have a local Freecycle... so that is always a possibility. I gotta ru for now though, thanks for the info.

[Coler]

Yeah, I think the first issue you have is what to keep; separate out the Africans from the CA & SA and decide which group you're going for, if either. The Angel fish will be very problematic in either mix.

[jm1212]

could be an altum. they get to 10 inches long, and super tall.
make sure to post pics!

most cichlids will accept generic pellets that are provided.

[killieskid]

Where are you located? if your close to any of us, some of us would probably love to take one or two

[MikenDanielle]

Way up in Canada

[samsmom]

Try kijiji in Canada, it is way better than Craigslist. Where in Canada are you?

[samsmom]

Are you in my region of the world, I would love to allievate of your problem

[MikenDanielle]

HI sorry for not catching your last post IM on the East Coast, in New Brunswick, wish I was in Calgary though, was living out in Banff and Canmore last summer and made it to Calgary a few times.