Should be happy but now I'm scared

[diane6]

I finally cycled my 60 gallon aquarium, went to my lfs, who I trust. Their fish are always healthy, they always answer my thousands of questions I ask them. Usually their answers are right, from what I read online afterwards.

So I went in yesterday to buy my first cichlids. He suggested I start with 10. They are all very small, so I thought it was ok. Now I made sure to ask about every fish I chose regarding compatibility, size, agressivity etc. He assured me all my choices were perfectly compatable. I am reading online and finding very different info from what he told me.

Here is what he sold me:

2 elongatus
2 venustus
2 lemon yellow (lab?)
2 kenyi
2 rusty

I cringe at the thought of having to catch them to bring them back, it is nearly impossible for me to catch fish. They are smarter than me. Is there any way these fish could do ok together? How fast does the venustus grow? I know now that they get WAY too big for my tank.

I should have known not to trust them.

[Lab_Rat]

The only ones I see that are not great for your size tank are the venustus. As you know now, they get too big. I actually had one before, he hit 4" pretty quickly then was killed by my cobalt blue. Temperament wise, I would return them before that happens to yours. Once your biofilter catches up to the bioload, you can add a couple more of each remaining species for a well stocked tank. I'd aim for 1m/2-3f for each species.

[blue2fyre]

Also the Kenyi can be nasty once they mature. Besides the Kenyi and venustus I think you should be ok. Yellow labs and rusties are great and pretty easy going. Just get more for each group.

[tonytheboss1]

I cringe at the thought of having to catch them to bring them back, it is nearly impossible for me to catch fish. They are smarter than me.

:popcorn:Not really, but they are very quick. Remove most decorations, lower the water level & use 2 nets. And not to 'beat a dead horse', you've learned a valuable lesson; thorough research before purchase will save you time, money & aggravation. Good luck. "T"

[Dr.Dovii]

With respect to keeping mbuna, more not less is better. These are aggressive fish and more fish means greater displacement of aggression.

Yes it will work out, but at some point the venustus are gonna get wasted. These are open water fish as opposed to mbuna which are rocky-outcrop dwelling fish. The mbuna will strike and retreat from the safety of their rocks.

[excuzzzeme]

As Dovii pointed out Mbunas need more to curb aggression. Having only 2 Yellow labs is asking for trouble. Mbuna will in general tolerate Mbuna as long as territory is not an issue. Mbuna should never be mixed with any other type due to it.