New Cichlid tank - Red Zebra questions

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.

thanks for your help everyone

Red Zebras


What's this?




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

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.

**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

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

I'm still having problems identifying my mysterious blue cichlid.
Could it be this?: Telmatochromis temporalis

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!