I have a 55 gallon tank with 10 fairly young African Cichlids (Lake Malawai). They are just getting thier color. I am wondering if I should leave the light on all the time or in intervals. I guess I am wondering because they tend to get a little crazy(very agressive) when I turn the tank light out. I have lost a few fish at night. The owner of the pet store I purchase mine from said that he leaves his tank lights on all night on his Chiclids cause they tend to, as he says "Do things you normally wouldnt see with the tank light on". Should I leave my light on? I wouldnt think it would be good for the fish. Just wanting some opinions on this. Thanks!
Light for African Cichlids
- Thread starter bassman
- Start date
How could this be a good idea? I can't think of any fish -- certainly not Rift Lake cichlids -- that would normally be exposed to a 24-hour photoperiod. This suggests two things to me:
1. Your LFS guy is a moron and should not be listened to.
2. Something else is awry in your tank. If cichlids are killing one another, it is often a sign of a poor mix of cichlids, too many fish, insufficient hiding spaces, etc. This is what you should be researching. What species of fish do you have, and how many of each. How is it set up (landscaped)?
Please don't even consider leaving your lights on 24/7. That is really a bad idea.
Jim
1. Your LFS guy is a moron and should not be listened to.
2. Something else is awry in your tank. If cichlids are killing one another, it is often a sign of a poor mix of cichlids, too many fish, insufficient hiding spaces, etc. This is what you should be researching. What species of fish do you have, and how many of each. How is it set up (landscaped)?
Please don't even consider leaving your lights on 24/7. That is really a bad idea.
Jim
This is what I figured too. I have had them on 12 intervals. I cant imagine what kind of Algae buildup I could also have. I am new with juvenile cichlids. There are about 10 in a 55 gallon tank. I have heard from a couple people that its best to have more than just a few because of territorial issues, and I have put some hiding places in it with some rock. I may need more. I have had 3 one certain type of Cichlid that just stops eating and sits over in the corner after a period of time. The best I can decribe it , It has stripes going down the side with 3 dots and oversized eyes. These guys just stop eating. The rest are really thriving.
What type of africans are these fish? if you dont' know the names desecribe them as best you can or look on the internet for some pics.
I would not leave the tank light on 24hrs a day. That will stress the fish out too much as they need a nightime also.
I would say you have the wrong kinds of fish for your tank. Some african are way too aggresive and need to be chosen properly to live happily in a small tank. It could be that you chose afgggresive fish and thats why they are killing eachother. Try to find out what species you have as that woudl help a lot
I would not leave the tank light on 24hrs a day. That will stress the fish out too much as they need a nightime also.
I would say you have the wrong kinds of fish for your tank. Some african are way too aggresive and need to be chosen properly to live happily in a small tank. It could be that you chose afgggresive fish and thats why they are killing eachother. Try to find out what species you have as that woudl help a lot
I really wish I could tell you exactly what I have. Like I said, they are still getting color. I hope this helps some....
I have one that is getting alot of electric blue on him, also has an orange stripe on his dorsal fin and his anal fin is black with white spots.
I have two that look Camoflaged. Mainly brown and white with a little orange in thier eyes. They stay pretty close to the bottom.
I have two that are yellow and almost have leopord spots on them with yellow in their eyes. They seem to be pretty agressive,
Then I have two with a distinct black stripe twords the top of their back with another faint black stripe above that. They are a kinda silverish yellow.
Two more with Black and white stripes. I know they are not Zebra Cichilds.
And lastly I have one with stripes and 3 black dots on its side. I have had two others like him and they just quit eating, just like he is and sit on the side of the aquarium.
I dont know if that helps much. I really need to get a book. I have rocks and plants and some driftwood. Its not overcrowded with things. I might actually need some more rock for cover. I totally agree about the light.
I have one that is getting alot of electric blue on him, also has an orange stripe on his dorsal fin and his anal fin is black with white spots.
I have two that look Camoflaged. Mainly brown and white with a little orange in thier eyes. They stay pretty close to the bottom.
I have two that are yellow and almost have leopord spots on them with yellow in their eyes. They seem to be pretty agressive,
Then I have two with a distinct black stripe twords the top of their back with another faint black stripe above that. They are a kinda silverish yellow.
Two more with Black and white stripes. I know they are not Zebra Cichilds.
And lastly I have one with stripes and 3 black dots on its side. I have had two others like him and they just quit eating, just like he is and sit on the side of the aquarium.
I dont know if that helps much. I really need to get a book. I have rocks and plants and some driftwood. Its not overcrowded with things. I might actually need some more rock for cover. I totally agree about the light.