New Cichlid tank - Red Zebra questions

[nanahachi]

Hi All

Usually I'm lurking around the Aquatic Plant forum, but I scored a great deal on a 60g this weekend, and the owner gave me his 2 red zebras and one other cichlid (i'm trying to find out what kind it is...see below).

Unfortunately, I can't setup the 60 in my current apt, so I will be starting up a 20g for 2 crabs (1 rainbow, 1 Thai) and these three cichlids, if possible. Right now the 3 Cichlids are in a 10g "holding tank" since I just ran out yesterday to buy my new 20g. My 20 may not be up and running until early next week, will the 3 cichlids be ok in the 10g for now? The water for the 10g came predominantly from my other established tank, from which I also stole my current Aquaclear 200 so I would have some filtration (with established colonies) on this 10g for now (I've been told to remove the HOB from my planted tank anyway).

I plan on making the new 20g cave-oriented for the Reds since they have taken to the two caves I setup temporarilly in their current holding tank. I plan on doing as much research as possible, and I've already read quite a few threads on Red Zebras, but what parameters should I shoot for? What will I need to make this tank successful?

I know that the water should be hard, and the temperature around 76-78 I think (I'll recheck the species info page here at AC). Also, I don't know if the Reds are a breeding pair, but one of them is a bit bigger than the other, and chases it around quite a bit. I'm wondering if my 20g will be too small for these three, and if I should find a new home for the larger Red.

Remember, I'm a newb, so please dont flame me too hard. :p

thanks for your help everyone

[nanahachi]

Red Zebras
http://imageshack.us/files/Red%20Zebras.JPG

What's this?
http://imageshack.us/files/silver-blue.JPG

http://imageshack.us/files/silver-blue2.JPG

I know this tank looks like crap. It is also brand new, and obviously I haven't even added a substrate, because until yesterday, it was empty and untouched. Again, this is only a temporary holding tank :)

[JSchmidt]

A 20 is too small for these fish; I wouldn't even keep a single red zebra in a tank that size. I really worry about them in a ten... and you say one is already chasing the other... not a good sign, IME.

These fish MIGHT survive in a 20 for a couple weeks or more, but I doubt it in a 10. The 60 would definitely be a more appropriate home for them.

Good luck,
Jim

[nanahachi]

Hi Jim

thanks for your reply. For the most part, the Zebras arent chasing each other, but it did happen the other night as I mentioned. I know the 10 is way too small, but it is all I can manage this week :(

Do you have any suggestions where I can read more about the Reds, to get more info about behavior patterns, etc? I will keep searching here, and at the cichlid forums I have bookmarked at home. But any suggestions would of course be appreciated.

Also, any clue what that gorgeous blue & black cichlid is? in the pictures, the black markings hardly show up, due to the flash. However, in normal lighting, it appears far more blue and black, than blue and silver.

thanks for your help. I really want to have a happy and successful tank, so please share your ideas if you can.

[valerie]

Not sure what the blue and black fish is as there are a few different species with those types of markings. Check out

Melanochromis johannii(males)
Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos "Maingano"
Melanochromis chipokae

A better pic mayb help.

[nanahachi]

**EDIT: **
Situation solved: I took the 2 Red Zebras to the LFS. They gave me a Ram in exchange. The blue/black cichlid and the Ram are about the same size, (~1+") so I'm hoping this will work out.

I cut out my old post, which basically stated that I setup a 20G in place of the 10, and will try to get some pics up soon

thanks for your help

[valerie]

Rams probably won't do well in the same tnak as africans. They need low ph soft water and africans need high ph hard water. Plus african are way more aggresive and will most likely pick on the ram.

[nanahachi]

my lack of knowledge is becoming painfully apparent.

I'll see how the new Ram holds up for the next day or so, but I have no doubt of what you're saying Valerie.

If the Ram also has to go, can anyone please recommend another cichlid that would pair well with this unknown blue/black one I have (about 1.5 - 2" long)?

sigh, this is so much harder that I thought. Thanks for your help, really

[nanahachi]

I'm still having problems identifying my mysterious blue cichlid.
Could it be this?: Telmatochromis temporalis
http://www.cichlidae.com/gallery/Telmatochromis/temporalis-01.jpg
http://www.cichlidae.com/gallery/Telmatochromis/default.html

Where can I look/go to try to figure out what species it is?

thanks for your help!

[jimbo]

I am pretty sure it’s one of those Valeri already mentioned, except maybe for the Chipokae which should have a longer snout.
Either the pale colors could be due to the stress he’s in, or maybe it’s a juvenile male M. Johannii almost finished coloring up.

Jimmy©

[nanahachi]

The pale colors are due to the flash on my camera, because in person he is actually much darker, with more pronounced black markings.

the search continues....


Also, any suggestions what would make a good match for this blue cichlid? My tank definitely needs a few more fish to liven things up, esp those that swim near the middle or top, instead of lurking in caves

thanks!!!

[jimbo]

I’m sorry to say this but a 20g is way too small for Malawi cichlids.
The only specie you could try in there is perhaps the Labidochromis caeruleus (yellow lab)
But when the blue fish turns out to be a Johannii, or any other Melanochromis specie for that matter, again your 20g is going to be too small to keep him with the yellow labs.
The footprint of your tank is about the size he will need to create a territory, and that’s exactly what he is going to establish eventually when he grows bigger.
It’s going to get even worse when it turns out to be a Melanochromis auratus.
Did you google on this specie??

Jimmy©

[valerie]

I agree with jimbo

A 20g is way too small for any malawi. Its usually recommended to start with a 40gL or a 55g if you want malawis.

I would say take back the fish and start over. SOme shellies would work nice.

[nanahachi]

Thanks valerie

yes, I think I am going to start over. As such, I would really appreciate any other recommendations for a 20 gallon, starting from scratch.

Valeria, are they any specific shell dwellers you would recommend?

A pair of Rams might be nice, if I can find any. I think I've read that they could be alright in a tank this small.

Or, a friend suggested perhaps a breeding pair of Jack Demseys. Bad idea?

I'm going to run a few searches here, and elsewhere online. But I would really appreciate any suggestions you guys have.

[valerie]

for shellies you could do a pair of L.ocellatus, or N. brevis. Or a trio of N.multifasciatus(sp?). Then maybe add some top schooling fish like danios.

I have a pair of L.ocellatus "blue" in my 10g and they are great. They can be aggressive(i had to remove 2 extra females that were getting picked on) so you have to choose wisely and research before hand. www.cichlid-forum.com has some great articles about shellies.